Key West is a tropical paradise with gorgeous sunsets and hectic nightlife, and is linked to Miami by an island-hopping 200-kilometre highway. Best known for its associations with Ernest Hemingway and key lime pie, Key West is also very gay-eccentric. The best way to get around is by renting a car on arrival.
Getting there
There are two airports on the island Key West International Airport, the busiest, and the more expensive Marathon Airport. Long haul flights usually land at Miami with a transfer by shuttle bus. Greyhound buses also run to Key West Airport from Miamiеs Bayside station several times a day, with a journey time of five hours. By road, US highway 1 runs from I-95 in Miami right into the heart of Key West, over a series of bridges. National travel deals can save you money on a rental car.
Key attractions
The heart of town offers good restaurants, fun bars, live music, rickshaw rides, and lots of shopping. Major attractions in Key West include the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, nestled in the heart of Old Town Key West. Also worth seeing is Mallory Square, located at the far northwestern tip. It is the site of nightly sunset celebrations, where you will also find exciting attractions, unparalleled shopping and the Key West historic sculpture garden.
Out and about
If your vacation plans include car rental there are many more keys to explore, with small beaches lying tucked away among the groves. Key Largo is perhaps second only to Key West. Another highlight of the area is Miami, with lively Miami Beach and South Beach. Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist.
Leisure options
For nature lovers, there is some great diving and snorkelling off the southern shore of Key West, or you could hire a yacht; the coral reef off the Keys is one of the most beautiful and diverse on earth. Don’t miss tasting the world famous key lime pie, served up in all the restaurants and cafs. Touring the beauties of this region is best through national travel deals, thus saving time and money on your car rental.
Safety
Key West gets extremely busy during festival times and you should remain vigilant for pickpockets. If self-driving with a rental car, take regular breaks as driving for long periods increases the risk of accidents. Water sports are also potentially dangerous; therefore we recommend you take out travel insurance for yourself and your family.