It’s estimated that almost 15 million people visited Tampa Bay in 2012, with about $3.75 billion being pumped into the local economy as a result. The statistics shouldn’t be surprising, though, since the city offers some of the best entertainment that the Sunshine State has to offer.
While slipping on a pair of flip-flops, throwing on some shades, and visiting the numerous attractions scattered throughout Tampa will lead you to a good time, there are some things that can ruin your trip. Here are seven of them.
Getting Stuck in a Hurricane
No matter whether you’d like to ride the roller coasters at Busch Gardens or lie on nearby Clearwater Beach, the weather in Tampa Bay can either make or break your day. Although Tampa hasn’t had a major hurricane pass directly through it since 1921, there have been close calls as recent as Hurricane Charley in 2004. To make matters worse, Tampa is the number one most vulnerable/overdue hurricane city in America.
While the odds of a major hurricane passing through the Bay area aren’t exactly high, you can expect to get thrashed by a daily afternoon storm throughout the humid summers. The good news: The torrential rains and frequent lightning usually only last for an hour or two before diminishing into the evening hours. Although the weather can easily ruin your time at the theme parks or beaches, at least you’ll have a dry night to try to save your vacation.
Getting Your Identity Stolen
Most people think their phone is as important as the luggage they brought with them, so getting their precious device stolen or losing it can be as devastating as returning home from vacation to an empty house (well, not really, but you get the point). Losing your phone or getting it stolen also leaves you vulnerable to identity theft, which is a serious issue that can ruin your trip and make your life generally miserable. The same is true using unsecured public wifi — according to this travelers’ attitudes on wifi infographic, 8 out of 10 travelers use public wi-fi during their trip. Considering 89% of public wi-fi hotspots globally are unsecure and open to hackers and identity thieves, having your identity stolen is more likely than you expect.
Getting Hit By an Old Driver
In case you haven’t heard it before, old people love to move to Florida when they retire. In fact, Florida’s population consists of about 17.3 percent of people who are 65 or older — the highest rate of senior citizens in the nation. Unfortunately, many grandmas and grandpas who have the reaction time of a sloth are given licenses to drive on Florida’s congested roads (Tampa included). If you notice a head of gray hair with thick glasses behind the wheel, steer clear.
Getting Arrested By Tampa Bay’s Finest
Have you ever heard of the catch phrase, “Come on vacation, leave on probation?” Well, legend has it that Floridians coined it during the 1980s, when spring breakers would come to party on the beaches and fly back to college on papers. It’s no surprise, considering the amount of entertainment attractions the state offers visitors. Tampa is no different, since there are plenty of opportunities to find trouble either in the clubs in Ybor City or the beaches on the Gulf Coast.
Getting Drunk and Losing Your Wallet or Purse
Speaking of finding trouble, you’ll likely stumble into it if you overindulge on that vacation favorite: alcohol. There’s no denying that cold beers on the beach or tropical mixed drinks when you’re out enjoying Tampa’s nightlife are a tempting way to spend your vacation in Cigar City. That is, until you wake up with a headache and don’t have the money to buy Tylenol. As much fun as it is to go crazy on vacation in Florida, pace yourself so you remember all of it.
Getting Sunburned So Badly You Can’t Move
Unless your idea of an ideal vacation involves lying stiff in agonizing pain while looking like a lobster, you’ll want to use plenty of sunscreen when you’re out enjoying the sights that Tampa has to offer. Whether it’s the beaches or the theme parks, Florida’s hot summer sun will ensure your vacation goes up in smoke in a matter of hours if you don’t protect yourself. Remember to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and follow these other sun protection tips.
Getting More Than You Paid For at the Strip Club
If you thought the sun was the only thing that could burn you — yes, talking to the guys here — then you should probably avoid strip clubs altogether. While most people who vacation to Tampa won’t visit a strip club (you can move on to the next subheading now), there are a few fellas who want to find out what the hype is all about when people claim that the city is the strip club capital of the country. It’s all fun and games until you lose your dip stick and leak oil, boys.
While Tampa Bay is a fun and vibrant city, you must remember to practice common sense and keep your eyes and ears open — even on vacation. As long as you do that, you shouldn’t have a problem enjoying all that it has to offer.
Author Bio:
John Rakowski is a Tampa Bay resident. His loves include dancing to house music and sitting in the front row on SheiKra.
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