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 Cape Coral
Fun Trips
USA Information
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Climate and weather
Summer (June to the middle of September)
86 - 95°F air temperature
78 - 86°F water temperature
A daily afternoon shower and a fresh breeze from the Gulf make even this time of year rather pleasant. The sun usually comes out again after 30 minutes.
Approx. 330 sunny days per year!
Spring, fall and winter
77 - 86°F air temperature
73 - 82°F water temperature
At 59 – 64°F the evenings and nights can get rather cool in the winter. However, even during the Florida winter the water temperature of the Gulf never goes below 68°F.
Entering the United States
A passport valid for at least 6 months is required. Visitors who plan on staying more than 3 months require a visa.
An immigration and customs form must be completed on the airplane.
A section of this form will be stapled to your passport and must be returned when leaving the country.
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Currency
A declaration is required if currency exceeding the equivalent of $10.000 USD per family is imported to the United States. However, there is generally no problem importing currency to the Unites States
Credit cards are almost a necessity for your trip to the United States since even small purchases in supermarkets can be paid with the plastic card. The favorable exchange rate offsets the surcharge levied by some banks for transactions executed abroad. The most common credit cards are:
Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners Club and Discover.
Traveler’s Checks are accepted almost everywhere. A passport or driver’s license is required when cashing the checks. Some banks may charge a small fee.
Cash is actually only necessary for tips, small purchases or meals at a fast food restaurant. A toll is charged on some highways or bridges in Florida. The exact amount of coins must be deposited at tollbooths where no service personnel are available. You should therefore have sufficient quarters (25 cent pieces) at your disposal.
The United States currency consists of 1-, 5-, 20-, 50-, and 100- Dollar bills, whereby some business may not accepts bills larger than 50 USD for fear that they may be counterfeit. Pay attention since all dollar bills are of the same size and same color.
Coins: 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime) and 25 cents (quarter).
Medical services
If medical treatment becomes necessary the payment is usually effected via credit card. However, in emergency situations it is not necessary to prove in advance that payment for the medical treatment will be made.
We recommend Travel Cancellation Insurance and an
International Health Insurance.
Road traffic
Speed limits:
On highways 70 mph (110 km/h)
In cities between 25 and 55 mph
Near schools 15 mph
The speed limits are strictly enforced!
It is mandatory for the driver and passenger but especially also for children to wear their seatbelt. Children under the age of 4 must have special car seats. Upon request these are usually provided by the car rental agencies.
A stopped school bus may not be passed on either side!
This is a law and violations are strictly enforced. Children usually have no discipline and run into the street without looking.
Never park your vehicle in front of a fire hydrant or an exit sign – also never in an area where the curb is marked either yellow or red.
The tow trucks are fast and paying up to 300.00 USD to get your car back is rather expensive.
Police patrols are more frequent in the United States than in Europe and vehicles may get stopped even for small violations. Due to the large number of firearms owned by the population the police officers are extremely careful. Remain in your car and wait for the officer’s request prior to searching for your license, registration or other documents. The officer could interpret it as pulling a weapon.
Consumption of alcohol
NO alcohol may be consumed on most of the beaches and in the car. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be severely punished. More than 0.8 per mill blood alcohol will result in the revocation of your driver’s license, a fine of up to 500.00 USD or imprisonment of up to 6 months. The age limit of 21 years for the purchase of alcoholic beverages is strictly enforced.
In Florida it is prohibited to transport empty or open bottles or cans containing alcoholic beverages in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. We recommend to transport closed bottles or cans containing alcoholic beverages in the trunk of the car.
Voltage
110 Volt AC!
It is recommended to bring adapters suitable for US standards.
Emergency 911
The emergency telephone number for the police, fire department and ambulance service is 911. This number is the same throughout the United States and the calls are free of charge. SOS telephones on highways are very rare and in case of emergency one must revert to the use of cell phones and depend on the frequent police patrols.
Opening times
Large supermarkets (often open 24 hours) that will provide you with all your needs are just minutes away.
You should definitely visit the Edison Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Ft. Myers (135 shops all under one roof).
Fast Food-Restaurants often close at 10.00 PM.
Tips
Tips for services performed are NOT included in the price (unless it is specifically stated on the bill). The usual tip is 15% - 20%. Please keep in mind that waiters and waitresses work for tips!
When paying by credit card the tip can be added directly to the bill. Cash tips are left on the table.
Telephone
Local calls within Cape Coral are free of charge. Other calls are between 25 - 35 Cents (insert coin first – then make call). For long distance calls within the United States dial "1", then the prefix and number.
Telephone operator "0".
Telephone numbers starting with "1-800" or "1-888" are free of charge.
Telephone prefix:
Germany 01149
Austria 01143
Switzerland 01141
England 01144
Topless swimming sunbathing is not permitted in Florida!
Topless swimming and sunbathing is not permitted on Florida beaches – not even in tourist areas. Even if you have rented a house with an un-secluded pool and patio area topless swimming and sunbathing are also strictly prohibited
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