Manatee County is home to many special communities that stand out due to their charm and character. In this regard, the Village of Cortez combines historic and cultural heritage along with natural beauty and quality of life to offer a unique lifestyle.

Cortez is a small peninsula that juts out into the Gulf of Mexico from Manatee County. This is the last community that travelers going to Bradenton Beach pass as they leave continental Florida and enter the Sarasota Keys. Cortez is surrounded by water: Palma Sola Bay, the upper Sarasota Bay and a small bayou are all that separate this village from the barrier islands off Manatee County.

Fishing has been the heartbeat of this village since it was founded in the late 19th century. To this day, fishing is still a main driver of the local economy; a large boatyard and a few commercial fishing docks in Cortez stay busy, and recreational fishing enthusiasts can be seen picking spots along the waterfront. In fact, the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, which takes place each February, is a major event that celebrates the town’s heritage and attracts visitors from all over.

As expected, quite a few seafood restaurants can be found in Cortez, and the Starfish Company is legendary in this regard. There is something very special about enjoying Florida’s simple, yet delicious seafood while enjoying the view from the dock where it arrives.

Real estate opportunities in Cortez range from historic cottages and bungalows to Key West-style residences and from mid-rise condominiums to imposing Mediterranean-style estates. As expected, boating and fishing enthusiasts will feel right at home in Cortez thanks to gated communities that offer private docks and piers. For those who enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle in a resort-like community, Cortez offers a few luxury resorts.

Residents of Cortez are served by public schools located in the nearby subdivisions of Bradenton. Basic suburban comforts can be found right in Cortez, but major shopping malls, movie theaters, performance centers, state parks, golf courses, hospitals, and many other facilities are just a short drive away.

The Cortez real estate market stays fairly active thanks to its reasonable pricing. Condominium units and modest homes will sometimes be listed under $200K, although property values tend to appreciate quickly in this region. Moreover, Cortez is one of the few housing markets in Southwest Florida that still offer construction-ready waterfront home sites.