A P A R E N T ’ S G U I D E T O T H E

Perfect Fort Myers Beach Vacation

Family vacations are the perfect way to create

memories that you and your loved ones will cherish

for a lifetime. Whether you have already decided to

take your next family getaway in one of our Fort Myers

Beach vacation rentals or are still in the planning

phase, this guide is the resource for everything you

need to create a fun and safe beach holiday for you

and your family. Sun Palace Vacations’ Guide provides

helpful tips and important information you’ll be able

to use starting from the moment you board your flight

or pack up the car to the moment you check out of

your vacation rental. So, sit back, relax and enjoy your

vacation — and keep this handy guide nearby.

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Getting Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Now that You’re Here . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Hit the Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Baby Equipment Rental . . . . . . . . . . 13

Family Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Outdoor Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Indoor and Rainy Day Activities. . . . . . 18

Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

First Aid and Emergencies. . . . . . . . 23

Time to Go Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Table of Contents

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Save Now

Whether you are flying into one of our two nearby airports or driving to Fort

Myers Beach, this section contains everything you’ll need to know about getting

here as quickly and safely as possible while also keeping your family entertained

along the way. After all, getting here is half the fun.

Getting Here

NEARBY AIRPORTS

Southwest Florida International Airport (40 minutes)

Visit Website

Airlines:

Airberlin, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air

Lines/Delta Connection, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue

Airways, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit

Airlines, Sun Country, United Airlines, WestJet

http://www.flylcpa.com/airlines/

Airport Concessions and Shops:

Beaches Travelmart, Dunkin’ Donuts, Brighton

Collectibles, Jose Cuervo Tequileria, Nathan’s,

Dylan’s Candy Bar, Comfort Zone Massage,

Quiznos, Shula’s Bar and Grill, Starbucks, Books

and Sanibel Bean, Beaches Boardwalk Cafe,

Great American Bagel, Burger King, Sbarro,

Shell Factory, Palm City Market

http://www.flylcpa.com/concessions/

Visit Website

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Airlines:

Allegiant Air

http://www.flypgd.com/airlines/

Airport Concessions and Shops:

The Junction, Skyview Cafe (closed Tuesdays)

http://www.flypgd.com/dining/

Rental Cars:

If you like to rent a car and save money click the

link to the right and book directly through us.

Choose from: Alamo Rent-a-Car, Avis, Budget,

Enterprise, Hertz, National

Taxi Services:

Island Coast Transportation, Pepe Taxi, U & I

Transportation LLC, Charles Taxi, Blue Bird Taxi,

Pick N Run Taxi, Airport Limo & RV Transportation,

Mark Lamb Transportation

http://www.flypgd.com/taxi/

Punta Gorda Airport (60 minutes)

Before your flight, check with your airline and taxi service (if applicable)

about extra person fees or car seat charges. Usually, if your child is under

the age of 2, they may be able to ride for free as a “lap child” on most

airlines within the continental United States.

Save Now

Rental Cars:

Alamo Rent-a-Car, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise,

Hertz, National, Thrifty, ACE Rent A Car, Advantage

Rent A Car, EZ Rent-A-Car, Fox Rent A Car, Payless

Car Rental

http://www.flylcpa.com/rentalcars/

*For the best rates, visit Thrifty Car Rental.*

Taxi Services:

MBA Airport Transportation LLC, Paradise Taxi,

Errols, Local Motion, Coconut Taxi, Ft. Myers

Beach Taxi, Majestic Transport (Limos available)

http://www.flylcpa.com/taxirates/

*Many taxis can be preordered by phone or

online.*

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For Infants:

Your infant can easily become irritated on an

airplane due to boredom, confusion, and the

pressure in his/her ears. To alleviate their stress,

and ultimately your own, make sure you have a

diaper bag at the ready that will fit underneath

the seat in front of you. Having a pacifier or

something to suck on will keep the pressure in

their ears from becoming overwhelming. Also,

buying a new toy and introducing it to them on

the plane may keep them focused on what’s new

and interesting instead of what’s going on around

them. The bag should also contain your infant’s

identification papers, some extra clothes, a sippy

cup, and one or two bottles.

For Young Children:

These active youths are filled to the brim with

energy, so keeping them entertained during

your flight can be a bit of a challenge. Make sure

you have snacks ready for them and plenty of

activities such as coloring books, finger puppets,

or card games. Playing their favorite movie on

an iPad or portable DVD player is also a simple

distraction.

For Older Children:

They may not need to be entertained as much

as their younger siblings, but they can become

bored, too. Make sure they have packed a fun

book or a portable music player. If your hands

aren’t full with other children or things to do, you

may want to play a card game or draw a mini

masterpiece with them.

FLYING WITH CHILDREN

Veteran parents can tell you that young children aren’t always the simplest travel buddies and can

become bored and restless very easily. To occupy their time on the flight, you will want to have a few

games and/or activities planned, along with easy-to-reach provisions just in case a problem arises.

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Directions:

There are two ways onto the island. You may

choose to arrive by I-75 and take Exit 131 towards

Cape Coral. Or, you can travel to the Bonita

Springs exit, located further down the interstate,

and take Estero Boulevard through Big Hickory

Island and Lovers Key State Park. The easiest

route for you will be included in your pre-arrival

email! If you are staying mid-island or on the

south end of the island and flying into RSW, we

suggest taking the route through Bonita Springs.

There is a large Publix at the northwest corner of

Bonita Beach Road and 41.

Please note that traffic

coming over the skybridge,

connecting San Carlos Island

with Fort Myers Beach, may

be heavily congested during

peak season and holidays.

DRIVING TO FORT MYERS

If you should decide to drive here, these are the best routes to take.

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I-Spy:

This classic travel game has withstood the test of

time for its ability to involve the whole family in

the fun. Whether you see something of a specific

color, short, tall, wide, soft, hard, or even furry,

start it off by saying, “I Spy with my little eye,” and

let the games begin.

Sing-Along Songs:

If your family has a favorite artist, band, movie,

show, etc., consider buying a soundtrack and

involving the whole family in a sing-along! The

constant replaying of Disney musicals at home

has come in handy, why not let it work for you in

the car.

Road Trip Bingo:

A combination of bingo and a scavenger hunt

is the perfect way to keep your kids busy

throughout the trip. Give each child a flat, hard

surface such as a clipboard or book cover to

hold in their lap, a printable Car Bingo card, and

a small ziploc bag of pennies. Whenever they

find something on the road that matches with a

picture on their card, they’ll place a penny in that

space. The first player to cover all squares in a

straight line wins. Bingo!

20 Questions:

Player 1 will think of a person, place, or thing

while all the other players try to figure out what

it is by asking questions that can be answered

with a simple “yes” or “no.” The goal is to discover

what Player 1 has on the mind! If you want to

make it more challenging, give everyone a time

limit before they must forfeit.

DRIVING WITH CHILDREN

Road trips with your family can quickly turn from an exciting adventure into a stressful chore if one or

more of your passengers become bored or upset. Fill the time en route to your Sun Palace Vacation

Rental with snacks, fun stops, and games like our examples listed below:

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Publix (4791 Estero Blvd.):

This 24-hour grocery store also serves up

excellent fish, meat, and deli sandwiches, which

could be perfect for a beach picnic.

http://bit.ly/28L9Y2W

Topps Supermarket (2555 Estero Blvd.):

A friendly market that has everything you need

including a liquor store.

http://bit.ly/28NE33y

Farmers Market at Beach Baptist

Church:

Bring home only the freshest produce, fish, and

baked goods from this farmers market that takes

place every Wednesday. It’s also a great way to

shop for local crafts, handmade jewelry, candles,

souvenirs, and more.

http://bit.ly/28Lrg0R

Where to Get Fresh Seafood:

For incredibly fresh seafood, check out the local

seafood markets on Main Street on San Carlos

Island and visit the many delicious restaurants in

the area.

Welcome to beautiful Fort Myers Beach. We know you’re going to love it here and

your Sun Palace Vacation Rental is going to host so many memories for you and

your family. Now that you’ve arrived, the real fun can begin.

Now That You’re Here

GROCERY STORES ON THE ISLAND

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Dog Beach, 8800 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers

Beach, FL 33931:

Allow Fido to run free on this beautiful small

stretch of beach. The park is a short drive away

and includes free parking, dog showers, and a

portable restroom.

Contact Sun Palace Vacations

for additional suggestions on

petsitting or boarding.

Beach Pet Grooming:

Treat Rover to a bath before you get back in

the car to go home! Call Nancy at 239-645-1423

located at 2450 Estero Blvd. You can also pick up

some great pet gifts and fun items at the Salty

Dog next door while you wait.

Pets are a part of the family, too! Luckily, your furry friends are welcomed into

most of our vacation rentals and Fort Myers beaches! In order for your dog to

access the beach with you on Fort Myers Beach, they must be on a 5-foot fixed

leash. You must also be responsible and clean up after your pet. Most beaches

will provide doggie waste bags. Pets are not allowed on other neighboring

beaches such as Captiva, Marco, Bonita, or Naples.

Pets

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Pets

Sunscreen:

This one is probably the most important as you

need to protect your skin against harmful UV

rays while you’re having fun in the sun! For your

children, it is recommended you use a sunscreen

that contains a SPF of at least 50 and reapply

every 2 hours. For extra protection, consider

using sunscreen sticks for complete coverage of

the face and lips.

Sunscreen is most effective

when fully absorbed into the

skin. Apply 30 minutes before

exposing yourself to the sun

for the best results.

Sunglasses:

Your children’s eyes are just as susceptible to

sun damage as our own, so make sure each child

has a pair of quality sunglasses. For infants, you

may want to find a pair with a strap that wraps

around the back of their head so they don’t fall

off.

Hats:

Putting sunscreen on the top of your head seems

silly, but most people do not know that this area

receives direct sunlight and therefore will very

easily burn if not properly protected, especially

for those with very thin and little hair. The best

preventative to a painful scalp sunburn is to wear

a hat while on the beach.

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! It’s time to soak up the sun, feel the

sand between your toes, and bathe in the crystal Gulf waters! Before you head

to the beaches, here are some tips that will ensure a fun and safe day for the

whole family.

Hit the Beach

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Beach Toys:

What’s a family trip to the beach without building

a sandcastle? Shovels, pails, boogie boards,

kites, and beach balls can be found in many

beach shops all over the island. Providing the

kids with things to do in and out of the water will

give you extra time to just sit back and relax or

incorporate family games into your beach visit.

Cooler Full of Snacks and Drinks:

Dehydration and hunger can be a real beach

bummer. To save yourself some money and keep

your family well hydrated and fed, pack a small

cooler full of quick bites and beverages.

An Umbrella or Beach Tent:

This provides a small space of shade for

temporary relief from the hot sun or a cool and

comfortable place for your little ones to nap. If

you did not bring any of your own, you can also

rent beach chairs and umbrellas at many of the

resorts and properties, especially by the pier.

It is often breezy on the beach so the pop-up

canopies may be more practical than the smaller

umbrellas.

Beach Towels:

Whether you’re using them to dry off or to lie in

the sand to catch some rays, these are a beach

necessity. Luckily, each person in your party is

provided one beach towel in all of our properties.

Spray Bottle Full of Windex or Vinegar:

Jellyfish typically aren’t frequent visitors to Fort

Myers Beach, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

In the unlikely event that someone is stung by a

jellyfish, vinegar or Windex is known to almost

immediately make the pain disappear.

Sting Ray Shuffle:

Stingrays are common visitors in Fort Myers

Beach’s shallow waters. While they are fun to

watch, accidently stepping on one can result in

painful stings. While walking through the water,

encourage your family to shuffle their feet

along the bottom. The disturbed sand will keep

the stingrays from coming too close and also

prevents you from stepping on them.

Happy Baby Rentals

239-765-7368

http://www.happybabyrentals.com/

Beach Baby Rentals FMB

239-765-0032

http://beachbabyrentalsfmb.com/

For beach equipment that will keep your infant safe and happy, Fort Myers

provides two baby equipment rental companies that will gladly drop off

necessities such as cribs, strollers, Pack-n-Plays, high chairs, beachcomber

wagons, and more, directly to your Sun Palace Vacation Rental.

Beyond the beaches, there is an entire island full of activities just begging to be

explored. With so much to do, this will be your most exciting and memorable

family vacation yet!

Baby Equipment Rental

Family Entertainment

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Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf

17450 San Carlos Blvd.,

Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-466-5855

Voted best mini golf five years in a row!

http://www.smugglersgolf.com/

Jungle Golf

17710 San Carlos Blvd.,

Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

(239) 466-9797

A wild adventure for the whole family!

http://www.junglegolfminigolf.com/

Zoomers Amusement Park

17455 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers FL 33908

(239) 481-9666

A family-friendly attraction complete with go-

karts, arcade, mini-golf, a roller coaster, and

much more.

http://www.zoomersamusementpark.com/

Fort Myers Beach Community Pool

2600 Oak St., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-5759

Heated lap swimming pool, a giant waterslide,

and a kids’ splash park.

(Closed Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Crescent Beach Family Park

1100 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-229-1610

Located at the foot of Mantanzas Bridge, this

beachfront park offers picnic areas, sand

volleyball courts, four beach access points, and

plenty of open space.

https://www.leegov.com/parks/facility?fid=0107

Outdoor Activities

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

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Snook Bight Yacht Club and Marina

4765 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-4371

Boat, kayak, and paddleboard rental.

http://snookbightmarina.com/

Salty Sam’s Marina

2500 Main St, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-7333

Kayak, pontoon boat, deck boat, and center

console boat rental.

http://www.saltysamsmarina.com/home

BOAT TOURS

Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise

2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-7272

A 90-minute interactive comedy show that turns

your family into sworn pirates.

http://www.saltysamsmarina.com/family-fun

Good Time Charters

4765 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-218-8014

Daily dolphin and shelling cruises.

http://www.goodtimecharter.com/

Full Throttle Jet Boat Adventure Tours

4765 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

844-538-3861

This high-speed jet boat ride is a thrillingly good

time! (Children must be at least 38 inches tall)

http://www.jetboatfun.com/

Adventures in Paradise

14341 Port Comfort Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908

1.239.472.8443

Start your day off with dolphins! This early

morning cruise whisks the whole family on

an adventure through Sanibel and Captiva

Island waters in search for marine wildlife.

Complimentary pastries and relaxing tropical

music are included.

http://bit.ly/2acjddz

BOAT RENTALS

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Fish Tale Marina

7225 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-3600

Fishing charter rental.

http://www.thefishtalemarina.com/

WATER SPORTS

Mid-Island Water Sports

6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-707-2901

Parasailing (Sun Palace Vacation Rental guests

receive 10% off), jet-ski dolphin tours, paddle

boards, banana boat rides, and more.

http://www.midislandwatersports.com/

Holiday Water Sports

200 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-4386

Kayaks, sailing, jet-skis, parasailing,

dolphin tours, and beach rentals.

http://www.holidaywatersportsfmb.com/

All Island Watersports

61 Ave. C, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-1284

Parasailing, jet-skis, banana boat, dolphin tours.

http://theislandwatersports.com/home/

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Everglades Adventure

239-405-2060

Offers free pickup and drop-off! The tour

includes an airboat ride, an interactive animal

experience, lunch, and more.

http://www.evergladesadventure.com/

Everglades Day Safari

239-472-1559

Tour includes a nature walk, boat cruise,

and a wildlife drive.

http://www.ecosafari.com/

Captain Bob’s Excellent Adventure

239-472-1559

Perfect for younger families! Take an airboat

ride through the Everglades’ waters before

ending your excursion with a hands-on reptile

experience.

http://www.ecosafari.com/Captain-Bobs/

EVERGLADES TOURS

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Beach Theater

6425 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-9000

America’s first food theater! Enjoy the latest

blockbuster while being served delicious meals.

http://www.fmbtheater.com/

Imaginarium Museum and Aquarium

2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33916

239-321-7420

An educational and fun experience

the whole family will love.

http://www.i-sci.org/

Bailey Matthews Shell Museum

3075 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957

239-395-2233

Sanibel Island is the shelling capital of the

world. See and learn all about the planet’s

most amazing seashells.

http://www.shellmuseum.org/

Beach Bowl and Pelican’s Arcade

17651 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL

33931

239-466-3033

Come in for some family fun! Strike out a game

of bowling or spend hours in their exciting

arcade. (Closed Thursdays)

http://www.beachbowlandpelicansarcade.com/

Fort Myers Beach Public Library

2755 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-8162

Find the next book to get lost in while lounging

at the pool or drop the kids off for Dog Days and

Preschool Storytime. (Closed Sundays)

http://www.leegov.com/library

Indoor and Rainy Day Activities

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FAMILY FRIENDLY EATERIES

Nervous Nellie’s

1131 First St., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-8077

Family-fun restaurant that boasts large selections

of appetizers, fresh seafood, over-stuffed

sandwiches, and entrees.

http://nervousnellies.net/

Pete’s Time Out

1005 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-5900

Outdoor American eatery that offers the best

burgers and nachos.

http://petestimeout.com/

Pink Shell Resort

275 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-6181

http://www.pinkshell.com/

*ATTENTION PARENTS! WANT SOME MUCH NEEDED QUALITY TIME?*

If you’re hoping for a little quality time together, Pink Shell Resort offers kids’ camps and activities that

are fun-filled and completely supervised. That way you can enjoy a lovely morning or evening, just the

two of you, with peace of mind that the kids are well taken care of and enjoying themselves.

Indoor and Rainy Day Activities

Sunset Beach Tropical Grill

1028 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-1028

Lunch and dinner restaurant with a

beautiful ocean view.

http://www.sunsetbeachtropicalgrill.com/

Fish House Restaurant

320 Old San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL

33931

239-765-6766

One of the most popular eateries in all of

Fort Myers Beach! Delicious seafood

baskets and pasta.

https://www.thefishhouserestaurants.com/

Yucatan Beach Stand

250 Old San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL

33931

239-333-4386

Island themed eatery that presents live music.

http://yucatanbeachstand.com/

La Ola Surfside Restaurant

1035 Estero Blvd. #3, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-2222

Festive and lively restaurant that serves amazing

Tex-Mex cuisine.

http://m.mainstreethub.com/laolasurfside

Gulf Shore Grill

1250 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-5440

Casual American eats with an emphasis on

seafood all in a beautiful waterfront space.

http://www.gulfshoregrill.com/

Island Pancake House

2801 Estero Blvd. # R, Fort Myers Beach, FL

33931

239-463-0033

Start your day with a full and delicious breakfast.

The best part is, breakfast is served all day.

http://bit.ly/29z3zsQ

Parrot Key

2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-3257

Serves up Caribbean style cuisine in an open-air

and tropical atmosphere.

http://www.myparrotkey.com/home

Skye’s Mexican

7205 Estero Blvd. #710, Fort Myers Beach, FL

33931

239-463-7707

Ole! Enjoy authentic Mexican food for breakfast,

lunch, or dinner!

http://www.skyesfortmyersbeach.com/

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Truly Scrumptious

7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-2200

When you all scream for ice cream, stop in for a

simply delicious frozen treat.

http://trulyscrumptiousfmb.com/

Times Square

Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-0202

An outdoor plaza of entertainment, shops, and

so many restaurants for you to choose from. If

you can’t decide, just stroll through Times Square

until something strikes you as delicious.

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Santini Marina Plaza

7205 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-3600

You’ll be sure to find the perfect souvenir and

Fort Myers Beach T-shirt in their beach style

boutiques.

http://santinimarinashopping.com/

Bell Tower Shops

13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33907

239-489-1221

For a more upscale shopping experience, the

wide array of shopping and dining at Bell Tower

Shops would be perfect for you.

http://www.thebelltowershops.com/

Miromar Outlets

10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928

239-948-3766

Find great savings on brand names including

Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, and more!

Sanibel Outlets

20350 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908

239-454-1974

Discounted prices on brands such as Ralph

Lauren, Gap, Nike, Coach, and Tommy Hilfiger.

http://www.sanibeloutlets.com/

Gulf Coast Town Center

9903 Gulf Coast Main St., Fort Myers, FL 33913

239-267-5107

An outdoor shopping mall featuring stores like

Ron Jon Surf Shop, Bass Pro Shops, Belk, and

Costco.

http://www.gulfcoasttowncenter.com/

Coconut Point

23106 Fashion Dr., Estero, FL 33928

239-992-9966

A picturesque outdoor mall that boasts over 140

stores for all of your shopping needs.

http://www.simon.com/mall/coconut-point

Shopping

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Shopping

Health Park Medical Center

9981 S Healthpark Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33908

239-343-5000

http://www.leememorial.org/index.asp

Beach Family Medical Clinic (Dr. Sholle)

1661 Estero Blvd #1, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-0007

www.drscholle.com

We always hope that your family vacation is as safe and fun as possible, but in

the event of an emergency, there are nearby clinics and hospitals that will be

available to you.

First Aid and Emergencies

WALK-IN CLINICS

HOSPITALS

Beach Health Center LLC

6051 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-765-6000 (Closed Saturday and Sunday)

http://www.beachhealthcenter.com/

Estero Island Medical Center

7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-463-5741 (Closed Sunday)

http://www.esteroislandmedical.com/

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If you are flying home, allow plenty of time for you to pack, check-out, and get to the airport.

Stay up-to-date on your flight arrival and departure status.

Sign up for frequent flyer program to get an expedited check-in.

Do you have all your chargers, electronics, and keys?

Check all the drawers and closets in the home.

Have some snacks ready for the trip.

Have a refillable water bottle so you do not have to spend extra cash on multiple water bottles.

Please share your photos and best vacation moments on our Facebook page and leave us a review

on Flipkey, VRBO, or Homeaway!Thank you for visiting us at Fort Myers Beach and we hope to see you

again soon!

Your tropical getaway has come to its end and now it’s time to go home. We

hope that your family vacation was everything you hoped it would be and more,

you had a relaxing and enjoyable stay at your Sun Palace Vacation Rental, and

you have a safe trip home! Before you go, here is a checklist that will ensure you

and your family are ready for check-out:

Time to Go Home