How Safe Is Orlando for Travel?

Safety Index:

Orlando, the theme park city, is a large city located in Orange County, Florida. Most tourist come rushing to this city wishing to visit those famous theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc. but there’s a lot more to this city.

With many other attractions, apart from theme parks, it’s no wonder that Orlando has an estimated 52 million tourists a year. Other cities in the metropolitan area that should be visited by all means include Altamonte Springs, Davenport, Kissimmee, and Winter Park.

It’s also very safe which is probabyl another reason why it is among the US’s most visited cities. Still, like in other major cities in North America, there are some districts that can be somewhat dangerous and should be avoided.

The best way to see most of Orlando is to buy the so-called Go Orlando Card which is very useful, and can save significant amounts of money as well as help aleviate the stress of planning your trip throughout this city.

Warnings & Dangers in Orlando

So... How Safe Is Orlando Really?

Orlando is mainly a safe city to visit. However, as in any major city in America, it’s expected that there are some parts of it that are very unsafe for tourists, but if you avoid these areas, you should have no problems.

Such areas in Orlando are Parramore District, area in downtown Orlando where a lot of the area’s homeless population is concentrated and where crime rates are higher.

Then there’s Orange Blossom Trail, south of Sand Lake Road infamous for prostitution and similar illegal activities.

Finally, there’s Pine Hills, which is just a lower income area where crime rates are also higher than the rest of the city. Don’t linger around the Greyhound bus station in Pine Hills.

These areas aren’t dangerous to a point where you might experience or be victims of serious violent crimes and even the risks that are listed here, are highly unlikely to happen.

Still, tourists stand out in these areas and may be objects of unwanted attention.

Even though there are minor chances that, as a tourist, you might experience petty theft incidents, it is highly unlikely because petty theft crimes such as pickpocketing and bag snatching have been on a decline for the past couple of years.

Violent crime rates are also pretty low, so you should feel mostly safe here, especially due to the fact that, since 9/11, most touristic landmarks have been severely backed up by police presence.

Useful Information

• Visas - The US is famous for its harsh policy for acquiring a tourist, let alone a resident visa. The US embassies usually ask for interviews before granting tourist visas, and tourists usually have to pay up to 160 USD to get a visa. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
• Currency - The United States dollar is the official currency in Orlando. Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and ATMs are widely available. The prices vary but you can plan on spending about 100 dollars per day.
• Weather - The climate of Orlando is subtropical, which means it's mostly humid. Though most tourists visit during hottest months between June and August, it is recommended that you visit when the weather is cooler, because it means encountering less crowds and less people in the area. Afternoon thunderstorms are normal during the warmer months, although they can occur in any month.
• Airports - Orlando International Airport is a major public airport in Orlando, Florida. It is located around 10 km southeast of Downtown Orlando.
• Travel Insurance - Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Orlando, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.