Mexico travel suggestions from a friend

Option 1:

Oaxaca

Pyramids, mountain, city life

San José del Pacifico

Long drive to Mazunte & La Crucecita beaches

Option 2:

Cancun

Drive to Playa del Carmen, Tulum

Digital Nomad options for saving tax

Taxes are the biggest expense for most of us. Some folks with a remote job live as 'Digital Nomads'. Some countries even give digital nomad visas.

US citizens: Stay outside of the US for at least 330 days within a 12-month consecutive period. You do not have to pay US federal taxes on the first $120,000 (for 2023) of your foreign-earned income (foreign-earned income exclusion).

Countries with no taxes

Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Aruba

Bahamas (No income tax for residents either)

Barbados

Bermuda (No income tax for residents either)

Cabo Verde

Cayman Islands (No income tax for residents either)

Costa Rica

Croatia

Curaçao

Dominica

Iceland (stay up to 183 days and pay no local tax)

Indonesia (Bali)

Montserrat

Romania

Seychelles

UAE (Dubai) (No income tax for residents either)

Estonia (stay up to 183 days and pay no local income tax)

Malta (tax exemption for worldwide income but income earned from Malta sources is subject to local income tax; no tax on capital gains)

Panama (only income from Panamanian sources is subject to local income tax)

Portugal (no tax on overseas income; 20% tax rate on income earned in Portugal as opposed to progressive residential tax rate)

English speaking countries

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominica

Countries with free public schools

Anguilla | English

Antigua and Barbuda | English

Aruba | Dutch

Bahamas | English

Barbados | English

Bermuda | English

Costa Rica | Spanish

Dominica | English

Iceland | Icelandic

Indonesia (Bali) | Indonesian

Montserrat | English

Romania | Romanian

Seychelles | English

UAE (Dubai) | English

Estonia | Estonian

Malta | Maltese

Panama | Spanish

Portugal | Portuguese

Cabo Verde | Portuguese

Croatia | Croatian

Seychelles | English

Countries with reduced taxes

Cyprus (50% of income excluded from local income taxes)

Georgia (if you are an entrepreneur, only 1% of business gross revenue is taxed)

Italy (70% of income excluded from local income taxes, 90% of income excluded from local income taxes if you reside in one of the sparsely populated central or southern regions)

Spain (15% income tax rate as opposed to progressive residential tax rate)

Greece (50% of income excluded from local income tax and social security payments)

US States with no state tax

Alaska

Florida

Nevada

South Dakota

Texas

Washington

Wyoming

Tax-free states in USA (excluding dividends and interest income)

New Hampshire

Tennessee

Reference

https://www.desklessnomad.com/tax-free-digital-nomad-visas/

Florida attractions

• Miami & the Keys
• Everglades national park
• Ernest F Coe Visitor Center: starting
• Fresh water Marl Prairie ecosystem
• Drive to Pahayokee Overlook
• Guided tours
• Long Pine Key
• Mangrove ecosystem, Pineland ecosystem
• Boat Wilderness Waterway
• Flamingo visitor center: southernmost point
• Flamingo Marina: Guided boat tour of Florida Bay: Coastal Prairie ecosystem, marine & estuarine ecosystem
• Hike Coastal Prairie Trail from Eco Pond to Clubhouse Beach
• Kayak white water bay along wilderness waterway canoe trail
• Florida national scenic trail: 1 out 11 USA's scenic trails
• Flamingo Everglades: Tours for $40 adults, $20 kids, guided boat tours. flamingoeverglades.com
• Anhinga trail: Hike by night with a flashlight to see alligator eyes
• Drive Tamiami Trail US41 to Shark Valley entrance for Cypress Ecosystem
• Shark Valley visitor center
• The Observation Tower. Highest point.
• Shark Valley Tram Tour: alligators & birds to vide the Fresh Water Slough & Hardwood Ecosystem
• When walking, alligators sunbathe on road.
• 2 hours. $25/adult.
• Buffalo Tiger Airboat Rides
• 45 minutes tour
• buffalotigersflevergladesairboattours.com
• Cheaper in advance. $25/adult. $200/private tour of 4.
• Bobcat Boardwalk Trail & Cave Hammock Trail
• Drive scenic loop road from Loop Rd Education Center to Monroe Station
• Everglades City
• Everglades adventures: kayaking/canoeing tour among mangroves: kid friendly.
• Guided tours. $30-$50 canoe/kayak rentals. Guided tours available for 3-4 hours.
• morning boat tour to 10,000 islands
• Everglades National Park Boat Tours: evergladesnationalparkboattoursgulfcoast.com. Starting $37.10.
• Chokoloskee Island
• Smallwood Store Boat Tour to 10,000 islands: look for dolphins: kid friendly
• Museum of the Everglades
• Collier-Seminole State Park
• Canoe
• Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park: hike 2000 ft boardwalk
• Skunk Ape Research Headquarters
• Big Cypress Photo Gallery
• Hikes
• Northern Everglades
• Kirby Storter Roadside Park boardwalk: 1 mile
• Bobcat Boardwalk: 0.5 mile loop to Shark Valley parking lot
• Otter Cave Trail: 0.5 miles total: limestone shelf
• Southern Everglades
•  Anhinga Trail: 1.6 miles total. Ranger led walks.
• West Lake Trail: 3.6 miles total
• Snake Bight: Flamingo visitor center: 3.6 miles
• Christian Point: 4 miles
• Rowdy Bend: 4 miles
• Bear Lack: 3.2 miles
• Boat tours
• Everglades National Park Tours: nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm 905 Copeland Ave. Tours into mangroves for $50/25 or 10,000 islands for $40/20
• Everglades Florida Adventures from Gulf Coast Visitor Center: 90 min boat trip to 10000 islands. evergladesflordiaadventures.com. $40/20
• Everglades Adventure Tours: evergladesadventurtours.com. 2 hr kayak/pole-boat tour. $99/108.
• Big Cypress National Preserve
• Loop Road Scenic drive: Stop at HP Williams roadside park (with picnic tables), west of Oasis visitor center. Walk boardwalk.
• Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center.  Manatees
• Everglades Safari Park: Gator wrestling shows, 40 min airboart tour through River of Grass, online discounts: evergladessafaripark.com. $28. Authorized to operate inside Everglades national park.
• Gator Park: Zoo, educational airboat tours through River of Grass, alligator wrestling. gatorpark.com. $20-$25. Authorized to operate inside Everglades national park.
• Coopertown Airboat Tours: 35-40 min tours. coopertownairboats.com. $23. Authorized to operate inside Everglades national park.
• Coral Castle
• Robert is Here farmer's market & petting zoo
• Everglades Outpost wild animal hospital
• Royal Palm Visitor Center: boardwalk: alligators, turtles, birds: kid friendly
• Pinelands Trailhead to Pa-hay-oskee Overlook
• Slough slog: park ranger guided wet walk with overalls into Cypress dome
• Miccouskee Indian village: guided visits of homes, boat rides, music & dance. $15 entry. $20 boat rides.
• Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours. $32.50 tours, alligator show: $9, Combo: $60
• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
• Everglades Backcountry Boat tour: 1-1.5 hour tour: backcountry cruise up Buttonwood Canal through Coot Bay, Tarpon Creek into Whitewater Bay. Tickets at marina or online. Flamingo. famingoeverglaes.com/boat-tours
• Tropical Everglades visitor center: Florida City
• Hell's Bay: Kayak
• Key West drive
• Key Largo
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo: Kid friendly
• Snorkeling, diving, glass bottom boat tours, kayak among mangroves off Key Largo
• Only living US coral reef
• Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
• Dolphins plus Bayside Zoo. Swami with dolphin dolphinsplus.com
• Floriday Keys Wild Bird Center
• Everglades Eco-Tours: captainsterling.com $60
• MV Key Largo Princess: 2 hour glass bottom boat trips $30, sunset cruises. Online savings.
• Coral Reef cities of uncommon abundance
• African Queen: small steam boat used in movies
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Lara Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary
• Islamorada
• Feed giant tarpons fish at Robbie's marina. $2.25 for doc admission. $4 for bucket of sardines.
• Theater of the sea. Animal shows. Glass bottom boat. theaterofthesea.com. $36, $45-$200.
• Anne's Beach: Blue green water & squidy tidal flats
• Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site: old growth tropical hardoowd hammock, solution hole, ranger led tour
• Indian Key Historic Park: kayak to island & ruins. 
• Marathon: center
• Crane Point Hammock interpretive trails: palm hammock, mangroves, shoreline
• Turtle Hospital
• Seven mile bridge
• Big Pine Key
• National Key Deer Refuge
• Big Pine Kayak Adventures: Rent a kayak, ferry, kayak back. Mangrove forests of Great White Heron & Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge.
• Key West
• Sunset show at Mallory Sq
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park: Kid friendly: beach, snorkeling, fort
• Jolly Rover: Pirate ship sunset tour: Kid friendly
• Key West Butterfuly & Nature Conservatory keywestbutterfly.com $12
• Key West Lighthouse Museum & Keeper's Quarters
• Southernmost point
• Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. kwbgs.org $7
• Key West Eco Tours Kayaking: $115
• Lazy Dog Kayaking: $50
• Smathers Beach: Hire Hobie Cat for sailing
• Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
• Grassy Key
• Curry Hammock State Park
• Bahia Honda State Park: kid friendly
• Kayak
• 3 Beaches. Mile-long Atlantic facing Sandspur beach. Keys best beach.
• Ranger led activities.
• No Name Key
• Stock Island: just east of key west
• Sheriff's Animal Farm
• Tavernier
• Harry Harris Park: small photogenic lagoon
• Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary
• Sombrero beach
• Pigeon Key: Railway worker life
• Nancy Forester's Secret Garden: parrots & macaws
• Miami
• Biltmore Hotel: hunt ghosts
• Coral Gables
• mansions & villas
• Venetian pool: kid friendly
• Two hour paddling tours on Coral Gables waterway
• Fairchild tropical botanical gardens
• South Beach: Deco design
• Art Deco Museum
• Deco Ocean drive
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
• Night life, parties
• South Pointe Park: kid friendly
• Upscale Collins Ave
• Jungle Island zoo: liger, petting farm, lorikeet, wallavy, kangaroo, penguin
• Red Reef Beach
• Miami Beach
• Little Haiti: edgy at night, colorful & ok during day
• Wynwood & Design District: Street art & nightlife
• Whywood walls
• Coconut grove
• Barnacle historic state park: old growth miami hammock, cemetery
• Kampong Botnical garden
• Philip & Patricia Frost Museum of science
• Homestead (near Miami)
• Fruit & Spice Park
• Homestead-Miami Speedway
• Garl's Coastal Kayaking: wet-wading into heart of Glades
• Key Biscayne: Island adventures
• Beaches
• Nature center
• Leafy trails
• Lighthouse at southern tip
• Crandon Park
• Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
• Bill Baggs Cape Flordia State Park:
• Cape Florida lighthouse: kid friendly
• Free tours at cottage & lighthouse at 10-1 Thu to Mon
• Top beach
• Miami Seaquarium
• Crandon Park Beach: Family friendly
• Miami Ecoadventures: mamidade.com: bike, kayak, canoe, snorkeling
• Biscayne national park institute: kid friendly: glass bottom boat tours, cruises, paddling trips, snorkeling tours in Homestead
• Biscayne National Park Institue
• tours $44-$159.
• 3-4 hour boat cruise: $44/70
• 4 hour snorkeling trip: $64. 
• 6 hour boat trip: $159
• Most trips start at Convoy Point
• Dante Fascell Visitor Center
• Boat tour for mangrove ecosystem
• Adams Key: private boat
• Boca Chita Key: Lighthouse, via private boat
• Dante Fascell Visitor Center
• Informal ranger tour if arranged in advance of Boca Hita Key
• Elliott Key
• private boat
• Homestead Bayfront Park: Family watersports
• 10000 islands
• Boat tours
• Dolphins
• Big Pine Kayak adventures
• Guided tours
• Mid-Beach
• North-Beach
• Mid-Beach Boardwalk: kid firndly
• Virginia Key
• Manatee spotting
• Virginia Key Outdoor Center: Full-moon & new-moon biolumniscent paddles
• Virginia Key Beach Park
• Dania Beach
• Dr Von D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park: Magroves & beaches
• Whiskey Creek Hideout: snorkeling, turtle nesting area
• Haulover Beach Park
• Family friendly attractions, kite-making workshops
• Singer Island
• John D MacArthur Beach State Park: Guided sea turtle walks. Beaches, Calm water kayaking north of West Palm Beach. Turtle hatching between May & Aug. 1600 ft boardwalk to mangroves of Lake Worth Cove. Kayak from nature center.
• Peanut Island Park
• Sebastian Inlet
• Sebastian Inlet State Park; Surfing
• Pelican Island: US' 1st national wildlife refuge
• Honest John's Fish Camp: Kayak & motorboats: spot manatees
• Sebastian Inlet Marina: Boat & kayak rentals
• Panhandle
• Gulf Islands National Seashore: beaches
• Fort Pickens Discovery Center, Pensacola Beach, FL
• Fort Barrancas Visitor Center, Pensacola, FL
• Davis Bayou Visitor Center, Ocean Springs, MS
• Cedar Key
• Nature tours by bot of Suwannee River: wildlife, kayak marshes & estuary
• Cedar Keys national wildlife refuge
• Cedar Key museum State park
• Kayak Cedar Keys
• Tidewater tours: 2 hour nature tours ($29), tiprs aong Suwannee River ($58) & bird-watching treks in wild marshy coasline ($47)
• Manatee Springs State Park: Boardwalk
• Destin
• Henderson beach State park
• Ponce de Leon Springs state park
• Sugarlike sand beaches of Appalachian quartz crystals
• Crab island
• Destin history & fishing museum
• Dockside watersports
• Fort Walton Beach
• Air Force Armament Museum
• Eglin Air Force Base Reservation
• Gulfarium Marine adventure park
• Heritage Park & Cultural Center
• John Beasley Park
• South Walton & 30A beaches
• Grayton Beach State Park: Sand
• Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
• Deer lake State Park
• Blue mountain beach
• Eden Gardens state park: picnic lunch
• Coastal dune lakes: here, Oz & NZ
• Cape San Blas: secluded wilderness
• St Vincent Islands
• St Vincent National Wildlife Refuge
• accessible only by boat
• St Vincent Island Shuttle & fishing carters tours
• St. George islands
• Dog islands
• Cape San Blas & Port St Joe
• TH Stone Memorial St Joseph Peninsula State Park: dune, forest, salt marsh quilt wilderness
• Pensacola
• National Naval Aviation Museum
• Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
• Lighthouse
• Garcon point trail
• Snorkel, kayak Gulf Islands National seashore
• DeFuniak Springs
• One of 2 naturally circular lake, other in Switzerland
• Falling waters state park: Florida's highest 73 foot waterfall. 100 ft cylindrical pit. Exotic plant nursery. Birding. Old whiskey distillery.
• Florida Caverns State Park: Underground caverns
• Torreya State Park
• Endangered type of yew tree. Forested ben in Apalachicola river. High limestone bluffs. Birds, deer, beaver.
• Perdido Key
• Pedido Key State Park: swimming, shelling, birding
• Big Lagoon State Park: bird watching hiking. Observation tower.
• Suwannee river
• Suwannee river wilderness trail
• American canoe adventures aca1.com
• Suwannee river state park at confluence of Withlacoochee rivers
• Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
• Mission San Luis
• Santa Rosa
• Topsail Hill preserve state park: 5 ponds
• Santa Rosa Island, Navarre
• St Joseph Peninsula State Park: unspoiled beach, swim, snorkel, birding, animals
• Manatee Springs State Park: 30 miles north of Cedar Key
• Spring from cave mouth feeds Suwannee river. Clear. Snorkel. Animals, birds.
• Apalachicola
• John Gorrie Museum state park: original refrigerater
• Fort Myers
• Sanibel Island: family friendly Beach getaway, shelling, kayaking
• JN Din Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Visitor Center. 
• Wildlife Drive. Mangroves.
• Guided tram tour
• Canoeing
• Bowman's Beach
• Ferry to Cayo Costa Island: Solitude
• Crowded Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island)
• Bowditch Pint Park
• Lovers Key state park
• Cayo Costa State Park 
• go to island from boat. Captiva cruises. Locations in Punta Gorda, Pine Island, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island.
• Tropic Star Ferry: departs at 9:30 & 2, returns at 1 & 3. $35/25. Pineland Marina
• Gasparilla Island State Park
• Everglades Day Safari: 4 locations in Fort Myers. Full day tours.
• Orlando
• Universal
• Islands of Adventure
• Harry Potter - Hogsmeade
• Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey
• Hagrid's Magical Creaturs Motorbike Adventure
• Olliver Wand Shop: 10 min show
• Dr Seuss
• Amazing Adventures of Spider Man 4D
• Universal's Return time tickets: If Harry Potter is fill (usually around 10:30), get electronic ticket to return during specific window
• Disney
• Animal Kingdom
• Avatar Flights of Passage
• Finding Nemo Musical
• Pandora World of Avatar
• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Festival of Lion King musical
• Pangani Forest Exploration trail
• Kali river rapids
• It's tough to be a bug
• Primeval whirl
• Expedition everest
• Tree of Life
• Affection section petting zoo
• Hollywood Studios
• Star Wars Galaxy's Edge
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rise of the Resistance: Join virtual line system once you're in the park. Get time slot. Need to be early.
• Long waiting lines
• Star Tours: FastPass+
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Muppet vision 3D
• Star Tours-Adventures
• Indian Jones stunt
• Little mermaid voyage
• Toy Story Mania
• Tower of Terror
• Buy Genie+ and/or Lighting lane. Genie+ allows reservations at 7 AM.
• My Disney Experience App
• Wekiwa Springs State Park
• Winter Park
• Morse Museum
• Harry P Leu Gardens
• ICON Orlando
• Orlando Eye observation wheel
• Crayola Experience
• Marsh Landing Adventures
• Orlando Science Center
• St.Pete Beach
• Naples
• Pristine city beach. Naples Municipal Beach.
• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
• Marco Island
• Corkscrew swamp sancutuary
• Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
• Three Sisters Springs
• Glass bottom boat tours
• Snorkeling tours
• Tarpon Springs
• De Leon Springs State Park
• Palatka
• Ravine Gardens State Park
• Fort De Soto Beach: America's best beach winner
• North West Florida
• Apalachiola national forest, historical center
• Tallahassee: music
• St Marks National Wildlife Refuge: visitor center, lighthouse
• Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park
• Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park: Boat through cypress & mangroves with manatees, alligators, bird life
• 40 min guided boat tour: $8/5
• Glass bottom boat tours. Mastodon fossil.
• One of world's deepest springs.
• Observation tower.
• Swim, snorkel
• Cascades Park
• Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
• Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park
• Goodwood Museum & Gardens
• Dr Julian G Bruce St George Island state park: Nesting loggerhead turtles, wilderness, dunes, salt marsh trails
• Cape St George Lighthouse
• Panama City Beach: Boardwalk amusements
• Shell Island
• St Andrews State Park: Snorkeling, paddling, surfing. Shuttle to Shell Island in Gulf of Mexico. Dolphin & wildlife.
• Seacrest wolf preserve
• Camp Helen State Park
• Shipwreck Island waterpark
• Mexico Beach
• Airboat Adventures: swampvette.com $34
• Dolphin & snorkel tours: $49 dolphinandsnorkeltours.com
• Paradise Adventures: Catamaran cruises, pontoon boats etc. $50. paradiseadventurespcb.com
• canoeeconfinacreek.net: $40. Snorkeling, canoeing
• pcdivecenter.com: Snorkeling, diving. Starts $39
• Lake Powell: one of largest lakes
• Camp Helen state park
• Gold & Treasure coast
• Deerfield Beach: surfing area
• Butterfly World: Largest butterfly exhibit
• Ski Rixen: Water skiing
• Island water sports
• Splash Adventure water park
• Tradewinds park
• Fort Lauderdale
• Sea Experience: glass botten boat, snorkeling: 2.5 hours
• Las Olas Gondola: 75 minutes
• Ft Lauderdale Beach
• Las Olas stroll, beachfront promenade
• Venice of America: waterways: Boat tours
• Carrie B Cruises: 90 min tour of the New River. 112 foot paddle. $24. Online discounts. carriebcruises.com
• Jungle Queen Riverboats. $25 & higher. junglequeen.com
• Water Taxi: $28 day pass
• Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
• Museum of Discovery & Science & AutoNation IMAX Theater: $17 museum. $9 IMAX. 7D theatre.
• Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. $20 house tours, $10 gardens, $4 tram.
• Harbor Beach
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
• Billie Swamp Safari: Day pkg: $50. Twilight: $43.
• Butterfly World: largest in the world. Aviary. $30.
• Everglades Holiday Park: $34 for 1 hour airboat ride
• Flamingo Gardens: $20
• Sawgrass Recreation Park: $23. Night tours: $40. 30 min airboat tours.
• Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation
• Delray Municipal Beach
• Atlantic Village with Village by the Sea
• Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
• Wakodahatchee wetlands
• Sandoway Discovery Center
• Delray Yatch cruises
• Stuart
• Island Princess Cruises Boat tours: Indian River, St Lucie River, Jupiter Island. Advanced reservations required. islandpricesscruises.com $28
• Hutchinson Island: a barrier island with beaches
• Elliott Museum vintage vehicles
• Florida Oceanographic Coastal Science Center: aquarium
• Juno beach
• Loggerhead Marinelife Center: treat turtles
• Vero Beach: Grassy parks, pedestrian friendly downton, wide life-guarded beaches
• McKee Botanical Gardens
• Adventure Kayaking
• Orchid Island Bikes & Kayaks
• Sai Moonraker: dolphin, swimming, sunset cruises in Indian River Lagoon
• Indian river citrus museum
• Jupiter
• Blowing Rocks Preserve Seaside geyser
• Rugged costline
• Mangroves
• Turtle nesting beaches
• dunes
• 1 hour drive from Palm Beach
• Hobe Sound Nature Center, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
• Jonathan Dickinson State park
• Boat tours, guided horseback rides, canoe, kayak, boat, bike
• Popular Wilderness Guided Boat Tour: 9, 11, 1, 3. Pontoon cruise for 90 minutes.
• Loxahatchee
• Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
• Jupiter Beach
• Boynton Beach
• Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Preserve
• Visitor Center off refuge's eastern side
• 1/2 mile Cypress swamp boardwalk
• Marsh trail: birding
• Guided nature walks
• Kayak Loxahatchee river for cypress, mangrove, alligators
• Boca Raton
• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
• Loxahatchee Everglades tours
• Red Reef park
• Davie
• Buehler Planetarium & Observatory
• Tree Tops park
• Flamingo Gardens
• West Palm Beach
• Lion Country Safari: $35, $8 parking
• Currie Park: DivaDuck tours
• Manatee Lagoon
• Flagler museum
• Palm Beach
• Blue Heron Fleet
• Palm Beach Water Taxi
• Loxahatchee river: wild & scenic
• Lake Worth
• Lake Worth Beach: white sand
• Snook Islands Natural Area
• Kayak Lake Worth to Snook Islands Natural Area & Bingham Islands, Sunset & moonlight tours available.
• Lake Okeechobee: 2nd largest US freshwater lake. Lake Okeechobee Scenic trail.
• Roland Martin Marina
• Hollywood
• Hollywood Beach
• Family friendly, boardwalk, promenade
• Anne Kolb Nature Center: Environmental boat tours
• Fort Pierce
• John U Lloyd Beach State Park
• Beach, hiking, kayak creek with manatees
• Manatee Observation Center
• UDT-SEAL museum
• Holphin Watch Boat tours
• Heathcote Botanical Gardens
• Bathtub Reef & Coral Cove Park, Vero Beach Reef
• Indian river kayak & canoe, Vero beach
• Space Coast
• Canaveral National Seashore
• Kayak with dolphins. Wild. Sea turtles. Undeveloped beaches. Pelicans
• Apollo Beach family friendly
• Klondike Beach
• Playalinda Beach
• Mosquito Lagoon
• Ranger offered pontoon boat tours for $20/person from the visitor center on Fri, Sat, Sun. July turtle nesting tours.
• Turtle Mound
• Sea Turtle nesting tours in Jun & Jul
• Kennedy Space Center
• Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
• 1500 species of rare plants & animals, migratory birds, wild
• Kayak with manatees & dolphins
• A day away Kayak tours
• Mosquito Lagoon
• Manatee observation deck on northern side of Haulover Canal
• Black Point Wildlife Drive
• Playalinda Beach
• Cocoa Beach Pier
• Surf
• Cocoa village
• Indian River Queen paddleboats
• Grasshopper Airboat Eco tours to St Johns River shallows in Central Flordia Everglades
• Titusville
• Watch rocket launch
• Melbourne
• Brevard Zoo, Melbourne
• Kayak with giraffes
• Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science
• Treetop Trek chutes & ladders
• North-East
• Jacksonville
• Amelia Island
• Crosses St Johns river via Broward Bridge (also called Dames Point Bridge & bowtie bridge)
• Kayak Amelia
• Fernandina Beach
• Fort Clinch State Park: re-enact historical encounters
• Amelia River Cruises & Charters: Family friendly sunset tour. $22. ameliarivercruises.com
• Amelia Island state park
• Talbot & Fort George Islands
• Little Talbot Island state park
• Big Talbot Island state park
• Fort George Island Cultural State Park
• Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
• Museum of Science & History
• Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
• Adventure Landing games & water rides
• St.Augustine: US' oldest city
• Spanish cathedrals, forts, Henry Flagler's ornate resorts, ghost tours, pirate invasions, basilicas
• Daytona beach
• Museum of Art & Sciences
• Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Matanzas river, manatees.
• Boardwalk
• Cassadaga: Spiritualists, fortune tellers
• Castillo de San marcos National Monument
• Lightner Museum
• Fort Matanzas National Monument
• Florida Water tours boating: Osprey 45 foot pontton boat, dolphin, cruise
• Ripple Effect ecotours: Kayak
• Black Raven Pirate Ship, Municipal Marina. Tour of Matanzas river with pirate actors.
• Spooky St Augustine Lighthouse: 219 steps. Night tour-ghosts.
• Northern tip Anastasia State park
• Marineland dolphin adventure: Matanzas River Estuary
• Museum of Arts & Sciences
• DeLand
• De Leon Springs State Park
• Orange city
• Blue Spring State Park
• Manatees. Boardwalk view of manatees.
• Swim, snorkel, canoe, kayak, riverboat tour.
• St Johns River cruises: tours 10 am & 1 pm: $278/18
• Hontoon Island state park
• Free ferry from Hontoon Landing
• Observation tower
• Fort White
• Ichetucknee Springs State Park: Inner-tube clear slow moving water with manatees, otters & turtles at Fort White. Rent outside park from Tubes.
• Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
• Wet prairie, swamp, hammock, pine flatwoods. Alligator & sandhill cranes.
• Gainesville
• Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park: 236 steps to miniature rain forest at bottom of sinkhole. Wildlife.
• Florida museum of natural history
• Timucuan Ecological & Historic preserve
• Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park
• Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve
• Ocala National Forest: Hiking, crystal springs
• Silver Springs State Park
• Glass bottom boat trips
• World's largest artesian spring
• Silver river state park
• 15 minute trail to swimming hole in a bend of the crystal-clear river
• Farm Tours Ocala
• Don Garlits Museums: Auto Drag racing, classic cars
• Cactus Jack's Trail Rides
• Alexander Springs Recreation Area: swim, kayak, canoe
• Juniper Springs Recreation Area: swim, hike, difficult canoe
• Salt Springs Recreation Area: Natural saltwater spring. Blue crabs come in summer.
• Cumberland Island National Seashore
• beaches, marshes, birds, animals
• Sightseeing boats leave Fernandina
• Ferry ride from St Marys: dolphins
• Hikes, wild horses
• Ice House museum near ferry dock
• Gulf Coast
• Sarasota
• Myakka River state park
• Canopy walkway in treetops. 
• Airboat rides.
• water wilderness: Kayak among alligators
• Siesta Key beaches
• Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
• Ringling Museum Complex
• Sarasota Jungle Gardens
• Sarasota Keys
• Anna Maria Island
• Mote Marine Laboratory
• Sarasota Bay Explorers: boat cruises, marine safari, guided kayak tours
• St.Petersburg
• Fort DeSoto Park. Nature trail across 5 islands
• Weeki Wachee: Mermaid show
• Weedon Island Preserve
• Dali museum
• Tampa
• Busch Gardens 
• Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park
• Hillsborough River State Park: kayak, anoe. Biking.
• Honeymoon & Caladesi Islands: Barrier islands
• Caladesi Island Stte Park: pure white beach, sunset, kayak, birds, mangroves, dunes. Hourly ferry: $14. 20 min ride. 4 hour limit. Call ahead.
• Honeymoon Island state park
• Sail Honeymoon Inc: Rent kaya, paddleboards, sailboats
• Bradenton
• Beach
• TreeUmph! Adventure Course, zipline
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park:
• Floating Underwater manatee observatory
• paddle waterways with manatees
• Clearwater beach
• Venice Beach
• Lido key
• Longboat key
• Florida aquarium
• Sunken gardens

Traveling to South Bay suburbs from InterContinental San Francisco

Option 1 BART to Caltrain:

0.3 miles away. Walk or take a Uber or Lyft.

Powell BART Station, Market St &, Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

https://goo.gl/maps/dZbzcM1uPZGLnCkm6

Take the Red Line to Millbrae station. https://www.bart.gov/system-map

Switch to Caltrain & ride to Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara or San Jose. https://www.caltrain.com/?active_tab=route_map_tab&center=-121.94728%7E37.47392&zoom=10.00

Option 2 Caltrain:

0.8 miles away. Walk or take a Uber/Lyft.

San Francisco Station, 700 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

https://goo.gl/maps/zaGF45Lw7S8RYM9r9

Ride to Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara or San Jose. https://www.caltrain.com/?active_tab=route_map_tab&center=-121.94728%7E37.47392&zoom=10.00

Until Mountain View, the Bay Area is called the Peninsula. From Sunnyvale onwards, called South Bay.

Option 3: Uber/Lyft:

Take the Uber/Ola to your destination. A friend can also request the cab for you.

Florida from Houston in December 2022: Theme parks + Nature

Start Dec 23 2022, return Jan 1 2023

5 days driving with attractions en-route. 5 days sight-seeing with 3 days theme parks.

Theme parks 1st, Nature next

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Navarre, Florida: 8 hours. Stay. En-route options.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Avery Island Tabasco sauce tour
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida: 7 hours. Stay for 4 nights: Check-out Dec 28 morning. En-route, visit:
• Three rivers state park, Florida at Florida, Georgia, Alabama line: Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola rivers. Rent canoe.
• Florida Caverns State Park
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
• Mon, Dec 26: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
• Tue, Dec 27:  Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park
• Wed, Dec 28:  Check-out. Drive to Homestead, Florida near Miami. Check-in for 3 nights. Check-out Dec 31. En-route:
• Aggressive: Drive to Key West & back. 9 hour drive.
• OR en-route: Visit Biscaynes national park. Boat tours. Snorkel.
• Thu, Dec 29: 
• Drive to Key West & back. 6 hours. In Key West, visit options:
• Bahia Honda State Park: Kayaking, snorkeling, beach.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Snorkeling.
• Grayton Beach state park: Beach, Sand dunes, kayaking.
• Collier-Seminole State Park: mangroves
• OR Everglades national park
• OR Biscayne national park
• OR 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Fri, Dec 30: Everglades national park.
• Sat, Dec 31: Check out of Homestead, Florida. Start driving back. En-route options:
• Go via the East Florida route we came to Pensacola for 10 hours. Or
• Go via West Florida route (Fort Myers, Tampa) to Pensacola for 11 hours.
• Big Cypress National Preserve. or
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park: Riverboat ride
• Myakka River State Park: Canopy walk, pontoon boat ride, boardwalk
• Lake Kissimmee State Park: paddling & wildlife.
• Silver Springs State Park. Glass-bottomed boats, kayak. Manatees. Ocala National Forest nearby
• Anastasia State Park: Kayak, see manatees
• Big Talbot Island State Park: birds.
• Falling Waters State Park: waterfall, wildlife
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: mermaid show
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (8 hours)

The opposite route: Nature first, then theme parks

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive from Houston to Tallahasee, Florida
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami. Stay in Homestead or Miami.
• Sun, Dec 25: Drive to Key West & back
• Mon, Dec 26: Everglades
• Tue, Dec 27: Check-out. Drive to Orlando. Biscayne en-route.
• Wed, Dec 28: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (Harry Potter)
• Thu, Dec 29: Disneyland Animal Kingdom
• Fri, Dec 30: Disneyland Magic Kingdom
• Sat, Dec 31: Start driving back. To Pensacola.
• Sun, Jan 1: Back to Houston

Florida travel ideas from Houston in December 2022

Option 1: Theme parks preference + some Nature.

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Mobile, Alabama. Stay.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
• Mon, Dec 26: Universal studios theme park
• Tue, Dec 27: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park or Epcot
• Wed, Dec 28: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park or Hollywood Studios
• Thu, Dec 29: Drive to Miami. Biscaynes national park.
• Fri, Dec 30: Everglades national park.
• 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Sat, Dec 31: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if tickets booked early or see Key West attractions.
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (17.5 hours)

Option 2: Nature preference + some theme parks.

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Tallahassee. Stay.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Sun, Dec 25: Biscaynes national park.
• Mon, Dec 26: Everglades national park.
• 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Tue, Dec 27: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if booked early or see Key West attractions.
• Wed, Dec 28: Big Cypress National Preserve. Drive to Orlando.
• Thu, Dec 29: Universal Studios, Florida (Harry Potter)
• Fri, Dec 30: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
• Sat, Dec 31: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (14 hrs)

Option 3: Theme parks:

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Mobile, Alabama. Stay.
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida. Stay.
• Aggressive option: Drive to Orlando in one day. Go to Sea World or Kennedy Space Center.
• Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
• Mon, Dec 26: Universal studios theme park
• Tue, Dec 27: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
• Wed, Dec 28: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park or Hollywood Studios
• Thu, Dec 29: Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Fri, Dec 30: Disney's Epcot
• Sat, Dec 31: Start driving back. Stay en-route.
• Aggressive option: Add one more theme park. Busch Gardens or Sea World Discovery Cove or Gatorland.
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston

Option 4: Nature:

• Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Tallahassee. Stay.
• Three rivers state park, Florida at Florida, Georgia, Alabama line: Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola rivers. Rent canoe.
• Florida Caverns State Park
• Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
• The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
• Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Sun, Dec 25: Biscaynes national park.
• Mon, Dec 26: Everglades national park.
• 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
• Tue, Dec 27: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if booked early or see Key West attractions.
• Bahia Honda State Park: Kayaking, snorkeling, beach.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Snorkeling.
• Grayton Beach state park: Beach, Sand dunes, kayaking.
• Collier-Seminole State Park: mangroves
• Wed, Dec 28:
• Big Cypress National Preserve. or
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park: Riverboat ride
• Myakka River State Park: Canopy walk, pontoon boat ride, boardwalk
• Lake Kissimmee State Park: paddling & wildlife.
• Thu, Dec 29: Silver Springs State Park. Glass-bottomed boats, kayak. Manatees. Ocala National Forest nearby.
• Fri, Dec 30: Blue Spring State Park: Manatees
• Sat, Dec 31:
• Anastasia State Park: Kayak, see manatees
• Big Talbot Island State Park: birds.
• Falling Waters State Park: waterfall, wildlife
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: mermaid show
• Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston

References:

https://vacationidea.com/florida/best-florida-state-parks.html

Checklist before traveling & returning

Before traveling:

• Renew passport or passport card if traveling internationally
• Finish Visa requirements if traveling internationally
• Submit OCI passport changes if applicable & traveling to India
• Take ID depending on nature of travel (Real ID driver's license, passport, passport card, TSA card or Global Entry card). 
• Take lounge access cards to use in airports if flying
• Any health insurance & vaccination cards (such as COVID vaccine proof)
• Take glasses (driving, reading, sunglasses)
• Take chargers
• Book ride from home to airport or train/bus station
• Hold postal mail. Request neighbors to hold postal mail for longer periods.
• Prebook baggage for airlines if cheaper
• Take passes, such as national park, state park, theme park pass. Print tickets.
• Take credit cards useful for travel, such as no foreign transaction fees, earns points.
• Notify credit cards & bank
• Suspend auto insurance
• Put water heater in vacation mode or turn off. If turning off a gas heater, turn off gas.
• Turn off all devices to save power
• Cancel internet service for longer trips. Return any equipment.
• Switch phone plan to enable international access if traveling internationally
• Install mobile apps for local travel that are supported in that country
• India: Uber, Ola, Rapido, Namma Yatri. Fastrak rates are cheaper for airport to home travel, compared to prepaid taxi.
• Hong Kong: Uber, Didi
• Install any required apps such as theme park planners
• Update GPS maps. Download maps on phone for offline use
• Inform school for kids. Cancel any private classes & schedule make-up classes.
• Keys to trusted neighbors for emergencies
• Pack medicines

Before returning:

• Reinstate car or auto insurance
• Book ride from airport or station to home
• If applied for Global Entry, plan for Enrollment on arrival
• Switch phone plan to domestic cheaper plan if returning after international travel
• Reinstate internet service

After returning:

• Turn on water heater
• Uninstall apps required for traveling

Kashi-a week trip

Day 1: 

Fly to Kashi. Hotel River Rhythm.

Day 2:

Shrardham for Pitrus

Ganga Arati

Day 3:

Ganga boat ride viewing the Ghats

Drive to Sarnath

Garden of Spiritual wisdom, Stupas, Buddhist temples

Day 4:

Sankalpam & Sankalpa Ganga Snanam

Kashi Vishwanathar, Dundhubi Ganapati

Day 5:

Kala Bhairavar, Dandapani Bhairavar, Sankatmochan Hanuman, Kasi Visalakshi, Durgakund temple, Manas Mandir, Tridev Mandir, Chozhi Amman/Kaudi Mata/Gavalamma

Day 6:

Ayodhya Rama Janmabhoomi, Nandigram, Ayodhya Krishna Premi Ashram

Day 7:

Shopping

Day 8:

Fly back

Tamizh Nadu+Kerala pilgrimage tour: Jun-July 2022

From Chennai.

• June 30: Drive to Kumbakonam & stay in Hotel Sri Selli
• MaMarathu Vinayakar (Guduvancheri)
• Achiripakkam: Ancient Shiva & Ganesha temple
• Sweta Vinayakar (Nurai Pillaiyar): Ancient Ganesha & Shiva temple
• Swami Malai Murugan
• July 1: Anbil
• Anbil
• Shakti Vageesa Ganapathi
• Mariamman
• Thinnanur murugan
• Drive to Kodaikkanal & stay
• Kodaikkanal Kurinchi Andavar Murugan
• Day 3: Kodaikkanal
• Poomparai Kuzhandai Velappar Kovil
• Manavannur lake
• Rose garden
• Drive to Pazhani: 2 hours
• Thiruavninankudi Murugan Kovil (also called Adi Pazhani, one of the 6 padai veedu)
• Ishwara Patta Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi
• Stay in Pazhani
• Day 4: Pazhani
• Pazhani Murugan darshanam
• Azhuku Mootai Siddhar Samadhi, Pazhani
• Masani Amman, Pollachi
• Azhukku Siddhar Adhishtanam-Shiva Lingam, Pollachi
• Drive to Guruvayur: 5 hrs
• Day 5: Guruvayur
• Guruvayur Darshanam
• Venkatachalapathy: Break coconut
• Parthasarathy
• Drive to Kalady: See Adi Shankara's life story & Shanmatha on spiral
• Kanakadhara Stotram house (Swarnathu Mana) & Lakshmi temple nearby
• Drive to Pala & Stay
• Day 6: Start from Pala
• Drive to Cheranmahadevi.
• Ancient Shiva 8th century built temple, NavaKailasha of Chandran. Open only 5-6.
• Dvithiya Pada Yogam Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple: Open only in morning.
• Drive to Thiruchendur
• Day7: Thiruchendur Darshanam
• Drive back to Chennai