The Everglades [boating, walking & kayaking]

Several official park entrances can be accessed from points in the Florida Keys and along the east and west coasts of South Florida.

Stop into a visitor centre once you’re on park property to ask about trails and get a feel for nearby offerings. Some of the best trails with easy walking terrain for all levels of fitness can be reached from the Flamingo Visitor Center in Florida City, about 30 minutes south of Miami.

Loud and thrilling, airboat tours aren’t allowed inside the park but sign up for a fun way to see the swampy alligator-infested exterior.

Everglades Area Tours offer guided camping and sea kayaking tours into the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangroves and sandy islands on the western edge of the park.

Even during the milder winter months, biting bugs can be an annoyance. Apply plenty of insect repellent as soon as you get out of your car and carry plenty of backup.

The park is accessible all year round. Visit wildlife viewing areas early in the morning or at dusk, when the animals are most active and the strong sunlight is more bearable.

Winter’s dry season, from November through March, is the best time to visit. Temperatures are cooler and water levels are lower so more animals, especially alligators, can be seen.

Avoid the summer months, especially July and August, when the heat, humidity and bugs (mosquitoes in record numbers) are particularly intense. June and September can be borderline, too.