The Villages

The questions people ask first about The Villages, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetyVery low street crime for a US community of this size; the real risks are summer heat, thunderstorms and tornado warnings…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$3–6
• Sit-down mealmain courseTipping 18–22% is expected.$14–28
• BeerDraft beer at a town-square bar$5–8
• Budget bedVillage rental home (weekly rate, often with Guest ID cards), a night, per roomUS$150
• Mid-range bedChain hotel room near a town square, a night, per roomUS$160
• High-end bedChain hotel room near a town square, a night, per roomUS$260

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

MCO Orlando International (About 1 h 15 min–1 h 30 min by car or shuttle; door-to-door shuttle services run from The Villages (check current operators and fares).) · SFB Orlando Sanford International (About 1 h 30 min by car; fewer flights.) · GNV Gainesville Regional (About 1 h by car; small airport with limited routes.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$90–140 excl. bed

Mid

$140–230 excl. bed

High

$230+ excl. bed

• Recreation centres, pools and most golf need a resident or Guest ID card; visitors without one are limited to squares, shops, restaurants and paid golf.
• Summer brings heat, humidity, afternoon thunderstorms and tornado risk; keep a weather alert source on your phone.
• Golf carts mix with cars on residential roads — drive defensively and use the tunnels.
• Many restaurants and bars are open to the public, but the community is private residential: keep noise down and stay off private lawns.
• Some rentals advertise 'in The Villages' but sit outside the boundaries and carry no Guest ID card — verify the address and card in writing.