All-inclusive vacations are not my first choice when it comes to traveling these days, but it sure was a great choice when I first started to travel internationally without my family. There are times when it’s better to plan your own vacation according to your personal preferences, and there are times when it’s better to choose an all-inclusive vacation. For those who are new to travel or just want an easy vacation without having to plan too much and need more information on how all-inclusives work, you’ve come to the right place! There are many good reasons why an all-inclusive vacation may be a great option and I personally can’t wait until I have time to take my next all-inclusive vacation again.
The Benefits of An All-Inclusive Vacation
For those who are still trying to figure out whether or not to choose an all-inclusive vacation or to book your own customized trip, here are some benefits to consider when making your decision.
1 – The Convenience
Booking an all-inclusive vacation makes it easier and more stress-free in terms of the planning process. You can save time on a lot of the details since the major ticket items are all included in your vacation package. You don’t have to worry about booking your hotels and flights separately or even having to think of how much money you need to bring for your meals. It is a relatively stress-free vacation since your basic necessities (and then some) are all covered with this type of trip. Here are also other ways on How To Take The Stress Out Of Traveling.
2 – The Flight, Hotel, And Meals Are Covered (At Minimum)
With one price, you’re paying for your round-trip flights, your accommodations, and all of your meals. Most of the time, your alcoholic beverages are covered as well which is a huge perk for a lot of people. Be sure to read the fine print as well, some of these all-inclusive vacations may also include transportation to and from the airport and some don’t. You will also need to pay extra for things like the spa, excursions, or tips. Occasionally, if you book with a travel agent, they are able to provide you with some extra perks or upgrades since they often refer clients to certain resorts.
3 – Value For Your Money
I find that you really do get value for your money spent at all-inclusive resorts. It’s also a great option to have if you have a limited budget and what to stay within your budget and not have to worry about extra charges (for the most part). You can eat and drink as much as you want with a large variety of options, and many amenities and activities are usually included at your resort as well such as surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more.
4 – Usually Safer Than Planning Your Own Trip
For the most part, staying at a resort can be safer than planning your own trips at times, depending on which destination you’re planning to visit. The grounds are private and usually secure where not just anyone can enter the property. However, sometimes locals are able to access the area through the beach but again, depending on location there will be security keeping an eye on this type of thing. As usual, I always recommend doing your due diligence and doing some research and reading online reviews.
Occasions When All-Inclusive Vacations Are Favourable
There are times when all-inclusive vacations are a good choice and depending on who’s going, the purpose of your trip, and how many people there are, you may find these types of vacations more favourable in terms of avoiding stress, if you’re just planning to party it up, not wanting to plan your itinerary much, and being able to avoid splitting things like bills for example.
1 – Girls’ Trip / Boys’ Trip
When you’re celebrating birthdays, bachelors/bachelorettes, or just need some time with your girls or boys, an all-inclusive vacation is a great choice when you want to let loose, have unlimited drinks, a place to relax and feel safe, and a nice beachfront.
2 – Family Vacation
Sometimes when you’re with your family or extended family, all-inclusive vacations are very convenient. For my family, we always booked cruise vacations since we had about 16 of us at one time. But all-inclusive vacations at beach resorts are a great option especially if you have a week or less of time off, don’t like being on a ship, or want a nearby vacation. There are family-friendly resorts with activities for all ages as well.
3 – First-Time Travelers
Choosing an all-inclusive vacation as a first-time traveler lets you get out of your comfort zone but in a more controlled environment. You can feel safe with similar travelers, but also have the option to go off the property or even book excursions where you will get a guide to take you around the area. You still have the freedom to explore as much or as little as you want, and it really does help when everything is covered with one price. If you’re booking online yourself, you only need to know the dates of travel, find the resort you like, and you’re basically done.
4 – Want The Ultimate Relaxing Vacation
I find that all-inclusive vacations are an amazing choice when you want to literally do nothing except relax and enjoy your time off from everyday life and work. You’re living on your time (and on island time) so you can eat, sleep, and beach whenever you want. There really is no schedule unless you want to attend certain on-property events that most resorts throw every day (shows, karaoke, etc.). These types of trips allow you to really allow yourself to unwind without feeling guilty if you’re like me and have to always be on the move. And let me tell you, I really need one of these soon!
5 – Destination Weddings
Booking an all-inclusive resort is a great place for a destination wedding. Not only do you literally save thousands of dollars, but you’ll also be having a great time with friends and family where you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get them all together for a vacation. It’s just a completely different vibe than being in your home country and you’ll have so much more fun! All-inclusive vacations make it so much easier for everyone to coordinate meetups and not have to worry about the bills and whether or not people can make it. They’re there for you and it’s so great that everyone gets to enjoy a vacation together – it’s a memory you’ll never forget.
6 – If You Plan To Stay In One Location
If you’re planning to stay in one location for the duration of your trip, it’s worth staying at an all-inclusive resort and taking excursions and tours on the days you do feel like exploring off-property. I find that when I visit Central America, it really is a great option since it may not always be so easy to get around without a local or a guide, some locations are farther than others, and I don’t need to be going around different cities every day. Sometimes, it really is nice to be able to stay in one place without being on the go all the time. It’s also really convenient if you want to be able to get easy access to the beach and to food and drinks. It’s always exciting when I know all of my meals are included and I don’t need to think about which restaurants I need to find next.
Best Websites To Use To Book Your All-Inclusive Vacation
When I choose to book an all-inclusive vacation, I like to visit these websites for the best deals:
Expedia
Booking.com
Agoda
Red Tag
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
Sunwing
Trip Central
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My Experience With All-Inclusive Vacations
So far, I’ve only been to 6 all-inclusive resorts and I have to say I have had some of the best times on these types of vacations. I visited the ones listed here in order of first all-inclusive to the most recent all-inclusive resort:
1. Agua Azules – Varadero, Cuba
My first experience at an all-inclusive resort was in 2010 and I was not disappointed, especially because I had nothing else to compare it to. Having such easy access to the beach was amazing and they had many nightly shows full of very talented performers. Not to mention they upgraded our room to a bungalow for free!
2. Riu Playa Turquesa Hotel Holguin – Holguin, Cuba
My second time in Cuba was in 2013 and at an even nicer and larger resort, but the beach was definitely nicer at Varadero. The food was much better here as well and I liked how much more luxurious it was.
3. Occidental Papagayo – Guanacaste, Costa Rica
I saw a picture of this hotel in a magazine but it wasn’t until many years later in 2015 that I found it in Costa Rica when looking for a resort. It was exactly what I had expected and it was a really beautiful location with plenty to do. However, the beach wasn’t the best here and I did go to another beach that was better suited for swimming and water activities. The excursions being offered here were one of a kind and I had one of the best times.
4. Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
So far, my favorite all-inclusive hotel chain is Melia, which I had visited in 2016. The rooms are so luxurious and they had plenty of restaurants to choose from and a beautiful oceanfront with a really large property. A little too big actually, but it really was what I had wanted.
5. Adaaran Club Rannalhi – South Male, Maldives
I had booked an overwater bungalow in the Maldives in 2016 and it was a dream come true. There was a little window on the floor that could look down to the ocean floor and there were also stairs that led straight down into the ocean within steps. It was breathtaking and I loved the easy access to the water. There was a lot of coral and I got stung by jellyfish quite a few times, but it was such a memorable experience and I can’t wait to book another one in French Polynesia one day.
6. Sandos Finisterra – Los Cabos, Mexico
My most recent all-inclusive vacation was in Cabo where my husband took me for my birthday in 2019. Our room was absolutely gorgeous with a bathtub in the middle of the room and the resort was beautifully designed and had a very upscale vibe to it and had great food. Cabo isn’t the best for their beaches unless you go to certain areas, and the rip tides are very powerful so you have to stay high up on the beach area. We didn’t feel that safe going off-property, but we did have a snorkeling excursion. Even then the waves were very strong so keep that in mind.
I loved that everything is beachfront for all-inclusive resorts and that I get access to different amenities that were included as a part of my stay as well as the endless amount of food and drinks. I also liked the luxury of just going swimming in the ocean (for the most part), getting tanned on the beach, staying up late, and waking up late without having to worry about time. Another exciting part was the many different excursions I was able to book at certain resorts to really explore that country a little more. Like I said at the beginning of this post, all-inclusive vacations are not my first choice when it comes to traveling, but I would like it once every few years to rejuvenate!
When you’re ready for other types of travel, here are 30 Different Types Of Travel Styles.