Any suggestions on a good place to do a checkout and get initial hours in a Cessna 206?

Why would u need a checkout?
If you’re renting then get checked in the rental.
If you’re buying then find a 206/210 guy and go fly it.
If you just wanna know how they fly, go get in a 182 then imagine the nose being just a bit heavier.
They are dead simple.

I was going to say arent they just big 172s with the identical handling, and the workload of a 182.

Good question!

A friend is buying one in an area in which 206 guys with US CFIs are hard to come by and time is limited, so he is hoping to get checked out prior to going to buy the plane.

Paragon Flight in Fort Myers appears to be an option. Do you have any recommendations on 206 rental locations?

No
Can’t imagine why anyone would rent one.
My insurance only reqd 10 hours dual which is nothing.
Besides he’ll want someone that knows what the plane can do and he can get all the numbers on “his” plane so he knows how “his” plane handles.
I hope he gets some real short and soft field instruction. They are amazing performers. Basically a real 4 seat STOL aircraft that does 155 true.

Nope.

A 172 on speed will float a bit when you pull power on short final.

A 182 (and a 206) will sink like a rock unless you are way way too fast.

There is a reason many 182s have wrinkled a firewall at some point.

RAS

I could understand a check ride going into a 206. Even with a lot of 182 hours its not a 182. Plus if its a relatively newer 206 it probably has a glass panel and there can be a real learning curve there if coming from steam. I don't know if its a must to get dual but you can not argue with safety and taking over the controls with confidence. Plus for me I love to fly with more knowledgeable pilots just to soak up anything I can from them.