Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PRACTICALITIES
Newspapers
South Florida has a number of major daily newspapers: Miami Herald(in
Spanish, El Nuevo Herald), the Miami New Times, the Key West Citizenand the South
Dade News Leader
TV
Florida receives all the major US TV and cable networks. Florida Smart (
ht-
tp://floridasmart.com/news
)
lists them all by region.
DVDs
Video systems use the NTSC color TV standard, not compatible with the PAL
system.
Electricity
Electrical voltage is 110/120V, 60 cycles.
Weights & Measures
Distances are measured in feet, yards and miles; weights are tal-
lied in ounces, pounds and tons.
Smoking
Florida bans smoking in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants and
shops, but excluding 'stand-alone' bars (that don't emphasize food) and designated
hotel smoking rooms.
Time
South Florida is in the US eastern time zone: noon in Miami equals 9am in San
Francisco and 5pm in London. During daylight-saving time, clocks move forward one
hour in March and move back one hour in November.
Tourist Information
There are plenty of chambers of commerce and visitor centers in the region itching to help
you make the most of your trip and pass out veritable libraries of pamphlets and coupons.
To order a packet of Florida information prior to coming, contact
Visit Florida
(
www.visitflorida.com
).
Miami
Downtown Miami Welcome Center
Provides maps, brochures and tour information for the
downtown area.
Greater Miami & the Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Located in an oddly intimid-
ating high-rise building.
