Estero Vacation Rentals

Estero is a delightful little village

Estero is sandwiched along Florida’s Gulf Coast between Naples to the south and Fort Myers to the north. For many years, Estero was a citrus community. Today, it lays claim to Florida Gulf Coast University and serves as a relaxing destination. Visitors will be calmed by the nearby beaches and intrigued by Estero’s Mound Key Archaeological State Park. 

When staying in one of our Estero vacation rentals instead of a traditional hotel, you’ll have much more space and privacy, plus cost savings when booking a property for a large group. Some of our Estero short term rentals even come with special amenities like a backyard pool, washer/dryer units, and bicycles. Whether you’re looking for a beach condo with amazing views, or a larger home for space for the entire family, you can find it on our site.

Estero, Florida travel advice

Estero has a sub-tropical climate making mild winters from January to March. The rainy season in is June – September and on average, these months receive 8.3 – 10” of rain. The “off months” will range between 1.7 – 2.9” per month. This makes a difference when planning a vacation. The rainy season also has the highest temperatures with highs averaging 90+ and the lows in the mid-70s.

Top activities and attractions in Estero

Fishing is popular in Southwest Florida and Estero offers plenty of opportunities to fish for a variety of species including bonnethead sharks, grunts, pompano, redfish, sea trout, and snook, to name a few species. Estero Bay is fed by 10 rivers, is shallow and 15 square miles of primarily brackish water. Fish the Gulf of Mexico from Lovers Key State Park. In the rivers, fish for freshwater fish such as largemouth bass. Boats can be rented by vendors for a day of the water, or hire an experienced fishing guide who knows the waters and regulations for an enjoyable Estero fishing trip.

College of Life Foundation Historic Hiking and Kayaking Tours – Established in 1894, the College of Life Foundation provides fun and informative hiking and kayaking tours with an emphasis on nature and history. Their mission is to “preserve and educate about the history and environment of South Florida with an emphasis on the communal Koreshan activities.” Source: http://www.collegeoflifefoundation.org/

Estero River Outfitters – In business since 1977, Estero River Outfitters is the go-to source for getting on the water in a kayak, canoe or standup paddle board. Rent one for a couple of hours or day to explore Estero from another vantage point. The outfitter is also a bait and tackle shop, offers free demos daily and is located on the Estero River.
Hertz Arena – Catch concerts, a variety of events, and if you’re visiting during the winter, the Florida Everblades minor league ice hockey at Hertz Arena. The facility is located right off I-75 making it easy to access and is near the Miromar Outlets.

Koreshan State Park – Cyrus Reed Teed settled in Estero in 1894 to build the “New Jerusalem” for his new faith called Koreshanity. He brought his followers and the colony, called Koreshan Unity, believed the universe was within a giant, hollow sphere. In 1961 the final members of the colony deeded the land to the state establishing Koreshan State Park. Visitors can see 11 historic structures dating back to the 1882 – 1920 and exotic vegetation from around the globe. The state park is popular for boating, fishing, hiking and picnicking. Take a self-guided tour of the area or join a state park guided walk.

Miromar Outlets – Easily accessible from I-75, a day shopping at Miromar Outlets is its own adventure. Take your time to shop more than 140 designer and brand names such as LOFT Outlet, Neiman Marcus Last Call Store, and Marcus, Tommy Hilfiger while saving up to 70 percent.  Shop for apparel, beauty products, home goods and electronics. Recharge your shopping soul with a meal at one of the delicious restaurants such as Ford’s Garage, La Bamba Real Mexican Food Restaurant & Tequila Bar or Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar. Check their calendar of events for special happenings and sales.

Mound Key Archaeological State Park – Rising more than 30 feet above Estero Bay is Mound Key, home to shell mounds created by Calusa Indians. The entire island is a historic site. Archeologists believe Mound Key was a ceremonial center for Calusa during the 1500s when the Spanish first attempted to colonize this part of Florida. Mound Key is only accessible by boat and does not have any facilities. A hiking trail less than a mile leads over shell mounds created by Calusa with the tallest being 33 feet. Guided paddling tours of Mound Key are offered by the College of Life Foundation.
(Activities content from swflorida.travel)

Restaurants and Bars

There’s delicious dining and vibrant nightlife in Estero. Your tastebuds will be entertained when visiting some of the area's top-rated eateries. Start your day with a cinnamon bun from Restoratives Cafe - they’re delicious, soft, and cooked fresh! Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar has an incredible reputation for pizza, and is a must-visit at lunchtime. Divieto Ristorante has a pork shank that is out-of-this-world and comes paired with a tasty risotto. For something more casual like a mouth-watering burger, head to Ford’s Garage!

Why you should book a Estero short term rental on FloridaRentals.com

Booking an Estero vacation rental on FloridaRentals.com can save you up to 20% over our competitors. Plus, we have a wide array of inventory appealing to any group size or traveler tastes. Happy planning!