Major city · United States
LaBelle
Give LaBelle one night if you are driving FL-80 between Fort Myers and Clewiston; skip it as a base — the river town is a stop, not a stay.
LaBelle is the Hendry County seat on the Caloosahatchee River, a small cattle-and-citrus town of about 4,200 people. There is a historic courthouse, a heritage museum, a community theatre and one big festival. Most travellers see it in half a day on the way between Fort Myers and Lake Okeechobee, or sleep one night at a river motel.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity and afternoon storms); the Swamp Cabbage Festival weekend in late February books out local rooms
- Airports
- RSW · MIA · PBI
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for LaBelle911 ▾
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Poison Control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about LaBelle, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLaBelle is a small, low-crime town and feels safe by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control (24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRSW Southwest Florida International (Fort Myers) (About 35–40 mi west via FL-80; the usual arrival airport for LaBelle.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: sights, motels and the riverfront are spread over several miles and there is no useful local bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5
- Sit-down mealLunch or dinner main$12–25
- Street or quick mealBreakfast plate$8–15
- BeerDraught beer$5–8
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryfree–$10
- Budget bedRiverside motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedRiverside motel room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedRiverside motel room, a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$190
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RSW Southwest Florida International (Fort Myers) (About 35–40 mi west via FL-80; the usual arrival airport for LaBelle.) · MIA Miami International (About 130 mi southeast; longer drive, more flight choice.) · PBI Palm Beach International (About 90 mi east via US-27 and FL-80.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Care*
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Mar–Apr, Nov–Jan. Mixed: Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
LaBelle: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: sights, motels and the riverfront are spread over several miles and there is no useful local bus. The historic centre around Bridge Street is walkable once you park. Fort Myers is about 35–40 mi west on FL-80; Clewiston is east on FL-80 to US-27.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45–55 min
FL-80 west along the south bank of the Caloosahatchee
Bigger choice of food, museums and the airport; an easy half-day or an overnight.
Door to door: About 35–45 min
FL-80 east to US-27
Lake Okeechobee shore, fishing and airboat country; combine with a lake drive.
Lake Placid
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-27 north
Mural town with a small walkable centre; good lunch stop heading north.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-27 north past Lake Placid
Doable as a day, but better as an overnight if you want the race track and lakes.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
US-27 north then FL-70 east
Long for a return day; pair with Clewiston instead.
Door to door: About 2 h
US-27 east then FL-710
Too far for a day trip from LaBelle; save it for an east-coast leg.
Avon Park
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-27 north
Small town stop, not a full day on its own.
Wauchula
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-17 north from near Fort Myers, or US-27 and back roads
Rural drive; combine with a loop rather than a there-and-back.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bridge Street and the historic centre
Walk to the museum, theatre, coffee shop and Forrey Grill; the courthouse is two blocks away.
North bank of the Caloosahatchee (Old County Road 78)
River motels with kitchens and pools; quiet at night, a short drive from the centre.
Port LaBelle
Planned community east of the centre with the largest inn; car needed for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Riverside motel room1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Car rental, one day, compact1 × US$65 | US$65 |
| Fuel, Fort Myers round trip1 × US$12 | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$42 |
| Trip total≈ US$232 per person per day, bed included | US$464 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 |
| Breakfast plate | $8–15 |
| Lunch or dinner main | $12–25 |
| Draught beer | $5–8 |
| Museum entry | free–$10 |
| Theatre ticket | $15–30 |
| Fuel, per gallon | $3.00–3.60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity: plan outdoor time before 11:00 and carry water.Summer heat and humidity: plan outdoor time before 11:00 AM and carry water.
- Afternoon thunderstorms from June to September; lightning on the river is a real risk.
- Rural roads are dark and have no lighting at night, with deer and slow farm vehicles: avoid driving after dark if you can.
- Some small motels and restaurants close one or two days a week: check hours before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
- Poison Control (24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LaBelleLaBelle
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Poison Control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in LaBelle. Your country's consulate or embassy is in Miami or Washington, DC — save the number before you drive into rural Florida.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fort Myers (RSW) → LaBelle by car: about 35–40 mi on FL-80, 45–55 min
- LaBelle → Clewiston by car: about 25 mi via FL-80 and US-27, 35–45 min
- Taxi or rideshare in town: limited availability; book ahead or drive
Say or show
- Where is the riverfront? — Where is the riverfront?
- Is the museum open today? — Is the museum open today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where can I park? — Where can I park?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for LaBelle. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity and afternoon storms); the Swamp Cabbage Festival weekend in late February books out local rooms · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for RSW: last sensible departure time, drive time to LaBelle, motel check-in cutoff.
- Walking cluster for Bridge Street with verified opening hours for the museum, theatre, coffee shop and grill.
- Swamp Cabbage Festival fixture: dates, parking, road closures and room-booking lead time.
- River access and boat-ramp pages with launch fees and seasonal water levels.
Sources
- officialCity of LaBelle
- officialLaBelle Heritage Museum
- officialHendry County Clerk — courthouse contact
- secondaryWikivoyage: LaBelle, revision 4277969 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about LaBelle
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