Bal Harbour(United States) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Paul Harbo, the top choice for families is The Palms Resort & Spa, located near the Everglades National Park entrance. This eco-luxury resort offers private pools, children's play zones, and guided nature walks through mangrove forests. The hotel’s design reflects Florida wetlands culture, with rooms featuring natural wood finishes and wildlife-inspired decor. Guests can easily access Lake Okeechobee for kayaking and birdwatching, making it an ideal base for exploring southern Florida’s unique ecosystems and engaging in educational outdoor activities.

The best area for accommodations in Paul Harbo is the Lake Okeechobee Shoreline, known for its serene lakeside setting and proximity to Everglades National Park. Stay in a lakeside villa or eco-cabin to enjoy views of herons, alligators, and red mangroves. The area is also close to Florida State University and the Country Market, just a 15-minute drive away. It’s the perfect launchpad for experiencing Seminole heritage, swamp hunting traditions, and authentic Southern Florida rural life.

In Paul Harbo, visitors can join Creole-guided treks through Seminole ancestral sites, learning about indigenous survival techniques and totemic art. The annual Swamp Festival showcases traditional dugout canoe building and wild fishing methods. Stay at Cypress Lodge, where daily hands-on cooking workshops teach guests how to prepare alligator stew and craft palm leaf baskets, offering a deep immersion into southern Florida’s living heritage and tribal craftsmanship.

Yes, The Everglades Hideaway is a secluded treehouse retreat nestled on a mangrove-island in the heart of the swamps. Each cabin features a glass-roofed star gazing dome and a private hot tub, perfect for couples. Evening activities include candlelit dinners and nighttime canoe tours to spot nocturnal wildlife like bobcats and bioluminescent plankton. Owned by a Seminole family, the cabins blend tribal motifs with rustic elegance, creating a mystical, intimate atmosphere ideal for romance.

Absolutely. Top resorts like Everglades Eco-Resort provide comprehensive eco-tourism programs, including early-morning birdwatching, nighttime alligator tracking, and wetland plant identification tours. In partnership with the Florida Wildlife Conservation Society, they offer endangered species conservation experiences, such as hatchling monitoring and habitat restoration projects. All excursions use electric skiffs and low-impact transport, ensuring minimal disruption to the Everglades ecosystem, embodying true sustainable tourism.

Try authentic Everglades-style dishes like pickled alligator steak with caramelized onions, wild reed porridge, and coconut-red mangrove shrimp soup. At The Cypress Kitchen Inn, meals are prepared by Seminole chefs using ingredients from the hotel’s own organic swamp garden. The inn hosts weekly ‘From Swamp to Table’ cooking classes, where guests harvest wild berries and water roots, then learn traditional smoking and preservation methods—offering a full sensory journey into Southern Florida’s culinary roots.

Yes, several hotels in Paul Harbo are pet-friendly. Paw & Paddle Lodge provides pet lounges, paw wash stations, and customized pet welcome kits (including leashes, bowls, and pads). The property features pet-accessible trails along the Lake Okeechobee shoreline, ideal for watching egrets and herons. Some suites even include pet beds and security cameras. Monthly ‘Pet Photo Days’ invite professional photographers to capture your furry companion in natural settings—perfect for pet lovers.

Yes, major resorts in Paul Harbo are equipped with full accessibility features. Everglades Accessible Retreat offers ramp-equipped entrances, elevators with braille buttons, and wheelchair-adapted bathrooms. All guest rooms feature emergency call systems and voice-assisted controls. The resort also provides accessible canoes with stabilizing seats for guests with mobility challenges, enabling safe exploration of the swamps. Staff are trained in special needs support, including tactile maps and sign language interpretation, ensuring inclusive access to the Everglades experience.

Yes, select luxury hotels provide complimentary shuttle services. The Palms Resort & Spa and Cypress Lodge operate free electric shuttles to key destinations including Everglades National Park entrance, Okeechobee Farmers Market, and State Library. Buses run three times daily, with options for group bookings. Some packages include private reservations for larger parties. HopeGoo ahead via the official website is recommended, though fees may apply during peak seasons—still offering excellent value for enhanced convenience.

Hotels in Paul Harbo prioritize guest safety with 24/7 security systems and emergency response teams. Everglades Eco-Resort uses infrared sensors to monitor waterways, triggering alerts if large reptiles approach. All outdoor activities begin with mandatory safety briefings, and participants receive life vests, anti-snake boots, and emergency radios. The resort partners with the Florida Wildlife Rescue Center for rapid response—ensuring help arrives within 10 minutes. These protocols guarantee a secure yet immersive experience in the wild Everglades environment.