Palma Sola Travel Guide

Bradenton

EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).

He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down.

Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! 

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! 

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).

He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down.

Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! 

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! 

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
A bright orange cluster of blossoms on a tree.

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free!

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Palma Sola

Kompose Boutique Hotel

Kompose Boutique Hotel

3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,028 reviews)
Everything was good! As pictured! I was a little sad that sauna was extra and only open until 9 pm but with such a low price for the hotel I guess I should have expected it!

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

Kompose Boutique Hotel
RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
6000 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is ฿7,377 per night from 24 Feb to 25 Feb
฿7,377
฿10,269 total
24 Feb - 25 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,636 reviews)
Very attentive house keeper & everyone is very friendly

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds
Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

3 out of 5
4675 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,276 reviews)
Clean and very comfortable bed. Price was also very good.

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2026

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
Island Grand at TradeWinds

Island Grand at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
5500 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is ฿6,848 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
฿6,848
฿9,671 total
23 Feb - 24 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,014 reviews)
Communication when we checked in wasn’t great there was a pipe that broke and we were not supposed to consume any water. We didn’t know this and we’re not informed of this until we had dinner at the hotel. All the other guests seemed to have already known this, and when they checked in were handed ...

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Island Grand at TradeWinds
Tropical Beach Resorts

Tropical Beach Resorts

3.5 out of 5
6717 Sara Sea Circle Siesta Key FL
The price is ฿8,792 per night from 13 Mar to 14 Mar
฿8,792
฿10,744 total
13 Mar - 14 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Siesta Key. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,302 reviews)
Great location, loved the access to the beautiful beach & pools! Room was clean & the bed was very comfortable!

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

Tropical Beach Resorts
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

4 out of 5
12324 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton FL
The price is ฿8,721 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿8,721
฿10,736 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bradenton. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,951 reviews)
Staff were amazing, food was also good. Rooms were clean. I would definitely go back.

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Palma Sola

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Shore Acre Heights

Shore Acre Heights might not have many top sights, but The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Shore Acre Heights
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Belair Bayou

When in Belair Bayou, you can plan a visit to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Belair Bayou
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Harbor Hills

While Harbor Hills isn't home to many top sights, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Harbor Hills
Path to a Gulf of Mexico beach in Bradenton Beach on the west coast of Florida

West Bradenton

While there might not be top attractions in West Bradenton, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

West Bradenton
Bradenton, Florida, USA Downtown on the Manatee River

River District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in River District and surrounding area, you can visit The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

River District
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Pine Lakes

Though Pine Lakes may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like LECOM Park and The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

Pine Lakes


Palma Sola Travel Guide