One city, 3 price points: Punta Gorda, Fla.

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For the AJC

BUDGET

Getting there

Drive two hours to the Greenville-Spartanburg (S.C.) Airport and fly Allegiant Air to Punta Gorda. Non-stop flights operate Fridays, Mondays; from $29 one-way; allegiantair.com.

Stay

The small beachfront Beach Croft Motel, built in 1953, takes you back to the Florida of your childhood. Prices for one- to three-bedrooms with kitchen range from $79-$104 per night. On-site rentals of sports and beach gear; beachcroftmotel.com, Englewood.

Eat

The Peace River Seafood serves the freshest catch by local fishermen. Visit in stone crab season (Oct. 15-May 15) for the best deals on these sweet, succulent regional treats. Saturday nights are all-you-can eat steamed blue crabs and shrimp for $19.99. Go early before they run out; peaceriverseafoodfl.com, Punta Gorda.

Experience

Explore the region’s hidden natural treasures with Nature Education and Science Explorations. Tours, from 90 minutes to three hours, are aboard comfortable six-passenger, 20-foot pontoon boats; to $27 per person. Select tours discounted 20 percent through September; florida-secrets.com/nese.htm.

MODERATE

Getting there

During sale periods, one-way rates from $64 to Fort Myers or Sarasota. Non-sale rates from $109 each way with 21-day advance; $209-$279 with three-day notice; AirTran or Delta.

Stay

The Wyvern Hotel, a new, European-style boutique hotel, is within walking distance of Punta Gorda’s eclectic downtown area and harborside Fisherman’s Village. Chill on the hotel’s rooftop pool and lounge. Guest rooms from $238 per night. Stay through Sept. 30 to get a third consecutive night free; thewyvernhotel.com.

Eat

Atlanta foodies will remember Palmetto Grill owner Gene Marra from his eponymous seafood restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road. Patrons find his stellar cuisine in this Charlotte Harbor establishment serving fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, locally sourced organic greens; $15.95-$25.95; palmettogrillfl.com.

Experience

Nearly 200 miles of kayak trails have been mapped in Charlotte Harbor’s Blueway Trail System. Grande Tours Expeditions arranges guided eco-outings for beginners to advanced paddlers. Watch for dolphins. From $50, per person; grandetours.com, Placida.

SPLURGE

Getting there

Walk-up, one-way biz class rates to Fort Myers from $358; AirTran or Delta.

Stay

Be a castaway at Palm Island Resort, accessible only by boat. Once on this 7-miles-by-700-yards island, get around by foot or with rental bikes and golf carts. One-bedroom villas from $230 per night; two-bedroom beachview from $270 or $315 beachfront; three-bedrooms from $375-$415. Stay two or three nights through Sept. 30 and receive an additional consecutive night free. Palm Island has a resident pirate “Redbeard” who entertains with buccaneer tunes and tales of yore; palmisland.com, Cape Haze.

Eat

Head off island to Punta Gorda and to The Perfect Caper. Its new American and European-Asian cuisine has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation; entrees to $48; theperfectcaper.com.

Experience

The region’s world-class fishing draws the likes of past presidents and celebrities to fish for trophy tarpon, redfish, and more. Off Duty Charters brings guests to phenomenal fishing areas on back bay saltwater flats. Four hours for $350, 941-457-1469.