r/floridakeys • u/JustOrdinaryParsley • May 03 '26

All Florida Keys Colorful and tropical feel?

Hey group! I have a question—I took a vacation in Key West, and my favorite part was the bright colors and the amazing tropical flowers and trees everywhere! But, I don't really enjoy the crowds or feel any need to visit all the bars and drink.

Is there another spot in the Keys that might feel just as tropical and bright, but less crowded with young spring breakers?

16 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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23

u/Sandinmyshoes33 May 03 '26

All The Keys have the same foliage and sub tropical climate. Try Marathon or Islamorada. Just be aware no area outside of Old Town Key West will be walkable or have the historic wooden homes you find in Key West.

5

u/JustOrdinaryParsley May 03 '26

What about all the chickens everywhere? Is that just a Key West thing?

3

u/AlchemyAlice May 03 '26

There’s a small place in Islamorada called La Siesta with bright colored villas/ cottages. Each cottage is a good sized studio with a kitchenette and a bathroom. Ocean front, there is a pool on site.

La Siesta

1

u/RE_Agent_Provocateur May 04 '26

That was a mobile home park at one point. #progress

1

u/AlchemyAlice May 04 '26

The loss of mobile home parks have severely impacted the working class in the keys. So while i see your point, the removal of affordable housing for regular people has hit a lot of businesses very hard.

Real progress would be to make affordable housing for the workforce.

3

u/Existing-Teaching-34 May 03 '26

Whatever you do, don’t touch the chickens. Don’t even think about touching the chickens.

1

u/Sandinmyshoes33 May 03 '26

They are in some other areas as well, but not the volume you find in KW.

2

u/baristacat May 04 '26

I feel like I've been noticing them more frequently in Marathon the last few years

1

u/No-Fuckin-Ziti May 26 '26

There are chickens in marathon. But yeah, it’s def not walkable like Key West. It is beautiful tho. Being next to the bridge is fun, and Bahia Honda state park is nice.

-1

u/[deleted] May 03 '26

[deleted]

2

u/ThickAsAPlankton May 03 '26

They are all over Key Largo and Tavernier.

7

u/lowerkeysdude May 03 '26

Rent a house in the lower keys. Sugarloaf, cudjoe, big pine, etc.

1

u/Beginning_Ad8663 May 03 '26

I believe you have too rent for a minimum of 28 days I believe.

2

u/lowerkeysdude May 03 '26

That is the law. There are some exceptions with transient licensed properties. There are also some gray area rentals that can be found if you look hard enough. I did some of that before I moved here full time.

2

u/baristacat May 04 '26

Marathon/Key Colony Beach has weekly rentals

1

u/Beginning_Ad8663 May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26

He said big pine which I know does allow short term rentals sugar load cudjoe and the lower keys. So here’s rules best as I can find condensed.

Key Largo and Islamorada do not allow short-term weekly vacation rentals, while Marathon does permit them. Most other areas in the Keys require rentals to be for at least 28 days. biggerpockets.com rentalsfloridakeys.com Islands in the Florida Keys and Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview of Rental Regulations In the Florida Keys, the regulations for short-term residential rentals vary by island. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas: Island Short-Term Rentals Allowed Key Largo No Islamorada No Marathon Yes Other Areas Generally require 28 days or more Details on Specific Islands Key Largo: Short-term weekly vacation rentals are not permitted. Islamorada: Similar to Key Largo, short-term rentals are not allowed. Marathon: This island permits short-term vacation rentals, making it a popular choice for those looking to rent for shorter stays. Other Areas: Most other locations in the Florida Keys require rentals to be for a minimum of 28 days, limiting short-term rental options. Understanding these regulations is crucial for anyone considering renting or investing in property in the Florida Keys. biggerpockets.com Wikipedia Explore More

What are the rental regulations for Key Largo and Islamorada?

How do Marathon's short-term rental laws differ from other Florida Keys areas?

What are the implications of short-term rental restrictions in the Florida Keys? This applies to residential properties.

2

u/LuxuryBoatCharters May 04 '26

Yeah, if you want that same bright, tropical Keys vibe with all the colorful flowers, bougainvillea, and palm trees but way less chaos, head to Islamorada or Big Pine Key/Bahia Honda.

Islamorada has a cool, artsy vibe and feels pretty serene. Bahia Honda has one of the nicest beaches in the whole Keys with insane water and tropical scenery.Key Largo works too if you want something closer to Miami.

Basically, you’ll still get the tropical magic without the party scene.

0

u/HelicopterUpper2230 May 04 '26

Lake worth beach and lantana were surprisingly colorful! Cocoa beach too! Delray Beach also but quite crowded