Fort Myers, Florida is located along the Gulf of Mexico in the Eastern Standard Time Zone, and has a population of over 68,000. The sales tax in Fort Myers is 6%. Some of the top employers are the county government, school district and health system because the city is the county seat of Lee County. As the gateway to Southwest Florida, Fort Myers' economy also enjoys a steady stream of tourist business year round.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) serves more than 7 million passengers per year and offers more than 20 airline partners with nonstop service throughout North America and Germany. The newly expanded RSW has over 11,000 parking spaces and offers long-term parking for $2 an hour, with a daily maximum of $10 and a $56 weekly rate. For transportation after your arrival in Fort Myers, visit the airport Ground Transportation Booth outside baggage claim to learn more about the LeeTran, rental car services and local shuttle buses.

While renting a car is one of the best ways to travel through Fort Myers, the public transportation system is also reliable. LeeTran, the public bus system, has 18 fixed routes that run throughout the year and serve over 3 million riders annually. The "Park and Ride" trolley service also provides rides to and from Fort Myers Beach. Cash fare is $1.25, and both all-day and multiple-day passes are available.

The News-Press daily newspaper and the Fort Myers Florida Weekly are two of the most prominent news sources in Fort Myers, and both offer the latest information about the community, local businesses, arts and entertainment.

Another source of "arts & living" information is the Ft. Myers & Southwest Florida magazine. Because the magazine distributes 20,000 free copies in over 250 locations throughout the area, it's easy to peruse the arts and culture news.

One of the best ways to become familiar with the city is to make a trip to the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. The Visitor Center has an impressive ambassadors program to give guests as much one-on-one assistance as possible in becoming acquainted with Fort Myers. You'll find two convenient locations for the Lee County VCB: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau Visitor Services Office at the S.W. Florida International Airport 11000 Terminal Access Rd Suite 8640 Ft. Myers, FL 33913 Phone: 800-237-6444 (toll-free U.S./Canada) Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (main office) 12800 University Dr. Suite 550 Ft. Myers, FL 33907 Phone: (239) 338-3500

Although tipping is not required, it's expected in industries like food service, hospitality and transportation. A waiter or waitress, taxi driver or room service attendant should be tipped 15-20% for good service. Keep in mind that many restaurants add a gratuity to bills for large parties, so be sure to review your receipt before leaving a tip. A $1 to $3 tip is appropriate for a housekeeper, doorman or bellhop for good service; a concierge who offers assistance beyond directions, such as finding tickets or dinner reservations, deserves a $5 tip.