Bonita Springs Travel Guide

Bonita Springs is a beautiful coastal town located on the southwest coast of Florida in Lee County. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area and has grown to become an attractive leisure and vacation destination for Floridians and travelers from around the globe. Bonita Springs is located just north of Naples and is a favorable destination for boating, golfing, and relaxation. You’ll find dozens of beach cottages and vacation rentals scattered along the coastline, and it’s fairly easy to navigate the beautiful waters to explore the barrier islands and coastal sites. Many people refer to Bonita Springs as the “Gateway to the Gulf” and it is most famous for its stunning beaches, wealth of shelling opportunities, and freshwater lakes. As you move further inland, you’ll find a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues to explore. The area plays host to several music events and sporting events throughout the year, attracting Florida residents and visitors from around the globe.

Bonita Springs was originally a small Indian village and fishing hotspot. It was once occupied by the Calusa Indians and these tribes lived nomadically of the land. They believed that the Surveyor’s Creek and waters around Bonita Springs had the power to heal the sick. Their way of life was interrupted with the arrival of Ponce de Leon during the Spanish exploration. By the 18^th century, the entire tribe population had completely disappeared. All that was left were remnants of their homes, painted pottery, and some shell mounds.

The area was left fairly deserted for several years through the civil war era. It was right around the civil war that Braxton B. Coomer decided to purchase about 6,000 acres of land and then opened up a coconut and pineapple plantation in the area. The area was still largely unpopulated but was soon settled by northern migrants looking for work. In 1910, the famous Eagle Hotel was built to accommodate for the influx of visitors that were heading to Bonita Springs for fishing and hunting activities. It wasn’t until 1912 that this area experienced any type of boom and steady growth. In 1912, J. Henry Ragsdale purchased about 2,400 acres of land around Survey which then prompted the building of railroads that connected the area to other coastal cities. This was named Tamiami Trail and connected Bonita Springs to both Miami and Tampa. Southwest Florida was finally connected to the rest of the country via roadways upon completion of this trail.

Today, Bonita Springs is still a popular fishing destination and  continues to cater to tourists with movie theatres, shopping areas, art galleries, and some cultural sites. Many people flock to this part of Southwest Florida to enjoy the beautiful white beaches, relax in the laid-back seaside setting, and enjoy some fresh seafood caught fresh from the coast. Whether you’re planning a Florida family vacation or just a long weekend to get away from it all, you’ll find plenty of things to do and experience around beautiful Bonita Springs on any given day.

Bonita Springs Weather and Best Time to Visit

Even though Bonita Springs sits on the coast of Florida, it still has a tropical climate which means very hot and humid summers, and cooler winters. January and February are the coolest months in the region and usually not well-suited for beach activities. However, you can still enjoy some of the local attractions during this time of year and spend your days shopping or watching sports events. The spring and fall months are perhaps the best times of year to travel to the area. These times of year usually have lower humidity levels and the weather is hot but comfortable. You can enjoy most of the outdoor activities during this time, but will also encounter higher than average rates at area hotels and resorts. If you’re looking for some great rates and a fun vacation, consider traveling during the holiday season. While hotels and resorts stay fairly busy over the holiday weeks, you can still enjoy some attractive packages and lower than average rates at most venues. It may be too cool to hit the water when you’re traveling over holiday season, but you can find plenty of places to shop, dine, and watch some live events. Many venues are all lit up for the holiday season and you can catch some live music performances and other holiday-themed entertainment during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Experience Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs is ideally located just north of Marco Island between Naples and Fort Myers. This small community is the perfect example of the Old Florida lifestyle and overlooks the sparkling Gulf of Mexico. It is known for its natural beauty and is an attractive destination for a long weekend getaway and for enjoying a wealth of outdoor activities. Most of the region is fairly developed and you’ll find plenty of white sandy beaches to enjoy a few hours of rest and relaxation.

The beaches of Bonita Springs are one of the major draws to the area. The word “bonita” means beautiful in Spanish and many people believe that the beaches in this region are the most beautiful beaches in Florida. The coast attracts visitors from around the world and the beaches here have become a haven for those who want to spend a few hours swimming, kayaking, shelling, or dolphin watching. Barefoot Beach and Bonita Beach Park are the two main beaches in the area and are open to the public year round.

You’ll find it fairly easy to travel around Bonita Springs by car, and most vacationers rent a car to explore some of the sights and attractions. Whether you’re interested in spending your days sunning on the shores, going shelling for an afternoon, attending sporting events, or boating around the freshwater lakes, you’ll find a wealth of things to do and places to explore throughout this beautiful region in Southwest Florida.