Hola amigo, ¿qué pasa? Wait, don’t answer that, because I already know what’s up, ese! You’re here right now because you’re exploring your options to plan the perfect vacation, aren’t you? Well, let me add a potentially memorable destination to your list, I’m talking Orlando, baby!
Orlando has a lot of spots and events for us Latinos to make our vacation one to remember. Whether you’re planning to take the whole fam out or head out for a little bachelor fun, the city’s got it all.
In this article, I’m going to share some reasons why you should consider visiting Orlando at least once in your life as a Latino.
Let’s dive right into it.
- Hispanic Festivals All Year Long
I’ve travelled to many places, and met people from all cultures. You know what most of them said to me? “Oh, you’re Latino? You guys have the best festivals ever!” Moment of pride right there, isn’t it? Well in Orlando, our festivals are held for almost the whole year. A year of vibrant, colorful and lively festivals all year long? Sign me up for that any day!
Below’s a list of some of the festivals you can expect to catch when you head there. Just so you know my list doesn’t include events that have passed like the Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival held in April, for example. Don’t get bummed out though because there are still many more waiting to happen:
- Orlando Salsa Congress (July 8th): If you’re looking for a week filled with vibrant concerts, dancing, pool parties, engaging workshops, shopping, socializing (maybe finding your amor), you’ve got a winner. My kids go crazy for the pool parties each time I attend, but I can’t really blame them, because I do too.
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th to October 15th): If you’re looking to explore how our people have made a difference in America, you might enjoy this one. The event features parades, exhibitions, performances and activities to explore Hispanic contributions in art, politics, business, science and many more. Talk about a fun way to help your kids familiarize and connect with who they are.
- 3rd Annual Orlando Latino Fest (October 11th): Even though this one’s a little short, lasting around 6 hours, you can expect a time filled with live music, great food (of course it’s great, it’s Hispanic food). There’s also a lot of places to shop and even giveaways to take a souvenir back home.
- Festival Calle Orange (October 26th): Get ready to party like it’s 1999, amigo! I’m talking a 10-block party for a whole day! You can enjoy music like salsa and bachata, along with a lot of food and drinks to keep you going.
- Tons of Authentic Hispanic Restaurants
The taste of the food I tried last time in Orlando just came rushing back, and I’m drooling all over the place, sorry for that mental image. In Orlando, you can find a ton of well known and maybe even some hidden gems of restaurants everywhere. Whether you’re from Mexico, Portugal, Cuba, or any other Hispanic country, you might just find a taste that reminds you of your abuelita. I know I did.
I don’t know about you but for me nothing kills the vibe of a vacation more than roaming around on an empty stomach. To prevent you from going through that, maybe it would help you if I shared some of my favorite Latino food spots in the city. Here they are:
- Bocas Grill: A lot of Venezuelan and Peruvian fusions with quality service. It’s located at 7600 Dr Phillips Blvd Ste 22.
- Numero Uno Restaurant: Cubano sandwiches and shrimp to die for. Located at 2499 S Orange Ave.
- Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar: Authentic Mexican food, drinks, and music? I’ve never met anyone who can say no to that. Located at 551 S Chickasaw Trl.
But those are just my favorite, there’s plenty more that may better fill your tummy and your soul. You can research them online or try finding them walking, if you’ve got that wanderlust.
- Tons of Activities Under $30
Yes, under $30, might be hard to believe in today’s economy, but it’s true, and waiting for you. What I like about all these activities is that they’re not just limited to a certain age, anyone can enjoy them. Whether you’re travelling alone or with la familia, I think you might find something that matches your interests.
Once again, I’m going to save your day by recommending some spots that you might want to head down to. Who knows? One of them might just be your or your families next favorite. If you got kids, it might also be a great way to further connect them with their interests. Let’s take a look:
- The Orlando Eye: Remember when Criss Angel levitated 500 feet in the air? Well with the Orlando Eye ride, you can do the same. The rise shows you a 400 feet high aerial view of the entire city.
- Orlando Science Center: How about a trip to Jurassic Park? Only much safer because the dinosaurs here are dead. The spot also has other educational sections like the Life Exhibit, which can help kids learn of natural ecosystems.
- Chocolate Kingdom: Who doesn’t love chocolates? This spot takes you on an interactive tour of how chocolates are made. You can also create your own unique chocolate bar. Must warn you, if you have kids, make sure you can handle them on a sugar rush.
That almost covers my rant. I’ve just got some tiny teeny tips for you before you’re good to. Let’s explore them next.
Quick Tips for a Worry-Free Journey
These tips helped my stay safe and worry-free during most of my trips, and might just do the same for you. Let’s check them out.
- Book in Advance: You might want to book hotels, flights, and activities way before you travel. This will most probably help you beat the rush and get a more affordable rate on things. Trust me, you don’t want the stress of peak season. Use the Visit Orlando app to get more information on local attractions, dining, etc.
- Stay Connected: Staying connected is always a good idea, especially in unknown areas. You might want to get a mobile internet plan to roam freely and safely at the same time. If you use Optimum home internet and prefer Spanish assistance you can reach out to the Optimum servicio al cliente for one.
- Learn Local Norms: You might be thinking, why should I learn local norms if I already live in America, right? Well, we’ve got like 50 states and each of them do things differently. Taking some time to learn about these ways will help you connect with the location better.
Orlando – A Haven of Joy and Pride for Latinos
There’s a lot of beautiful places to travel to in America, but for Latinos like you and me, Orlando can really capture the touch of home that we’re often looking for.
The chance to connect with your culture in the form of vibrant festivals, mouth watering food, and make timeless family memories with a range of activities make Orlando a must visit spot for Latinos.
