Tips for a Budget-Friendly Fort Myers and Sanibel Island Family Getaway

A WEEKEND WITH KIDS IN FORT MYERS & SANIBEL

Fort Myers and Sanibel Island feel like another world compared to the rest of Florida. A winter or spring getaway to the southwest of Florida is the perfect prescription for beating the cold-weather blues. While the area can be expensive, there are ways to visit Fort Myers and Sanibel Island on a budget with kids.

Living in Florida has its perks. Besides the mild winters and proximity to attractions like Disney World, one of my favorite things about living here is the proximity to countless unique beach destinations.

In my opinion, one of the most magical spots in all of Florida is Sanibel Island. From the ubiquitous seashells to the laid-back island culture, it’s a perfect destination for a quiet and relaxing family getaway.

Unfortunately, a vacation to this area can quickly add up and become quite expensive, but as any budget traveler knows, there are ways around that! I had previously visited Fort Myers/Sanibel/Captiva on a press trip without my family and was desperate to get back, this time with my kids in tow.

I finally made it happen, and have a few tips to share on how to make this tropical Florida getaway a budget-friendly reality for you and your family.

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TIPS FOR VISITING FORT MYERS/SANIBEL ON A BUDGET

VISIT DURING THE OFF-SEASON

While Sanibel is popular year-round, there are certain times to visit that may be a little easier on your wallet.

The winter months tend to be “high season” for Fort Myers and Sanibel. Southwest Florida stays warm year-round, so while the rest of the country (even northern Florida) is experiencing cooler or frigid temperatures, this area stays mild and balmy.

Shoulder season and summer in Fort Myers and Sanibel will be slightly cheaper. If you can swing early summer (May- the beginning of June) or fall while everyone else is in school, you might just hit the sweet spot. Summer is a bit less popular because of the soaring temperatures and rainy/hurricane season.

Girl on Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island.jpeg

CONSIDER STAYING IN FORT MYERS

I have a dream that we will one day rent a condo right on the beach in Sanibel Island, and our days will consist of wandering lazily to the beach then back to the condo for naps.

Right now as budget travelers, the prices for condos on Sanibel Island are a little hard to swallow.

Our way around the high prices was to find a great deal on a hotel just outside of Sanibel. We found a Groupon for a Fort Myers hotel for less than $100/night. There was even a pool and continental breakfast included.

We were willing to trade convenience for a cheaper price.

Don’t forget that if you go this route, you will need to factor in costs like renting a car if you’re not road-tripping there, paying the toll to cross the bridge into Sanibel, and parking on the island. For us, it was still cheaper to drive in rather than pay the steeper accommodation costs on Sanibel.

RENT A CONDO OR HOUSE WITH FRIENDS

If you really want to get the full Sanibel Island experience by staying in a condo on the beach, I would highly recommend finding another family to split the cost with.

There are lots of condo and apartment options with 2, 3, or more bedrooms on Airbnb, AND you’ll get $40 off your first stay if you use my link!

The other perks of staying in a condo with friends? You’ll save money on food by using the kitchen, and you’ll save money on beach visits by avoiding steep parking costs at the popular beaches on Sanibel Island.

GO GROCERY SHOPPING TO SAVE MONEY ON FOOD

We have little kids and travel on a budget, so we don’t go out to eat very often. We prefer to go to the grocery store to stock up on food for the trip.

We rely on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple slices, bananas, oatmeal, granola bars, Isagenix shakes, Isagenix meal bars, crackers, and other snacks to keep up fueled for our travels.

We also do things like going out for ice cream for “lunch” instead of a sit-down restaurant. We fill up on fruit and snacks later in the afternoon to stay full until dinner.

If you are staying on the island, I would recommend hitting one of the grocery stores in Fort Myers before you cross the bridge. There is a Walmart and a Publix where you can buy groceries. Jerry’s Food is a market where you can get groceries on the island. A little more expensive, but more convenient.

CHOOSE FREE OR CHEAP ACTIVITIES

My favorite way to experience new cities is through free and cheap activities like walking through local neighborhoods and shopping centers, biking, and hiking in nature.

Sanibel and Fort Myers have ample activities your family can participate in without breaking the bank!

Shelling on Sanibel Island with Kids.jpeg

Bowman’s Beach was a family favorite. We drove in early to watch the sunrise, go shelling, and look for dolphins offshore. Parking is $5/hour, and we loved getting there (and leaving!) before the crowds arrived.

You can bring your own bikes or rent bikes on Sanibel, then ride around to explore the island.

Wander around Periwinkle Place Shopping Center.

Explore Lover’s Key State Park in Fort Myers. The entrance fee to the park is only $8 per vehicle. Walk from the parking lot to the beach, then turn right and walk until you see the driftwood trees. They’re absolutely stunning, and your kids will enjoy decorating them with seashells they found on their walk.

Visit J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge for just $5/vehicle. Explore the trails and search for wildlife along the way!

There are tons of ways to enjoy the area without blowing your entire budget on entrance fees!

USE BIKES TO GET AROUND THE ISLAND

One tip to save money while in Sanibel is to rent bikes and use them as your transportation for the week. Check out the rental rates, and you’ll probably find that it’s cheaper to rent the bikes for a week instead of for the day.

Riding bikes everywhere will also help your wallet because you’ll save on parking fees at the most popular beaches, and your entrance fees to state parks and the Wildlife Refuge will be considerably cheaper!

Finally, it’s a great way to get exercise, enjoy the sunshine, avoid traffic jams, and see the island from a different perspective.

BRING YOUR OWN BEACH TOYS AND SUPPLIES

Buying things like sunscreen, beach toys, bug spray, and other toiletries on Sanibel Island ends up being SO EXPENSIVE.

If you can fit those items in your suitcases, by all means, bring your own! You can order very cheap beach toys on Amazon ahead of time (or even have them sent to your rental!).

If you’re flying and just don’t have space for those items, consider buying them at Walmart or CVS instead of the little local shops on the island so they don’t cost you an arm and a leg.

IF YOU MUST EAT OUT, DO IT WISELY!

Our family doesn’t really eat out at restaurants. With our budget and 4 little kids in tow, it’s just easier to go grocery shopping and make food at our rental.

However, for some people eating out at a restaurant is part of the vacation experience. It’s just not a vacation if they can’t experience the local cuisine! I get that. if that’s you, there are ways to eat out that won’t break the bank.

First, consider just going to a restaurant for happy hours and appetizers. Many restaurants like Sanibel Grill and Cip’s Place have early bird specials if you go out to eat before the dinner crowd. This actually works great for our family since we’re dining with young kids and don’t have to worry about disturbing other diners. The later it gets, the less likely our kids are to behave.

Also, remember that lunch is often cheaper than dinner, so you could eat lunch at a restaurant then enjoy dinner at your condo or as a picnic on the beach.

Second, look for coupons for local restaurants. Check websites like Groupon or Living Social for deals, or apparently signing up for the Sanibel Daily Newsletter provides coupons to restaurants, too! (I haven’t tried this, but have heard other people talk about it!)

SIGN UP FOR A TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD AND BOOK ON POINTS

This tip isn’t specific to Sanibel, but it works well for our family. If you sign up for a travel reward credit card (we use the Chase Sapphire Preferred) and spend a certain amount in the first 3 months, you’ll get 60,000 reward points that you can use for almost any major airline or hotel chain.

Since I’m a big believer in living debt-free, we simply put all our monthly expenses on the card to meet the minimum spend amount, and make sure we’re paying it off week by week. We never spend money we don’t have just to meet a minimum spend amount. If you can, plan your credit card sign up for a time when you’re about to make a big purchase.

AN AFFORDABLE FAMILY TRIP TO SANIBEL ISLAND

After 2 trips there, Sanibel Island is now one of my favorite places on earth, and I hope every family has the chance to visit this magical island destination in Florida.

Using these budget-conscious tips, I truly think with a little saving and wise planning you can make a Sanibel vacation work.

So pack your shelling bag, your flip flops, and your swimsuit, and get ready to enjoy the tropical vacation of your dreams!

Don’t forget to check out my family travel guide to the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel for more tips on what to do and see in the area!