If you're looking for a hassle-free way to vacation in Mexico or the Caribbean, consider an all-inclusive resort. With such a vacation, you don't have to "patch together" your hotel, food, activities and entertainment, because these extras are typically included in your room rate. Here’s a peek at some of the benefits of choosing an all-inclusive property for your next trip.
You know the bulk cost of your vacation up front. You don’t have to estimate how much you might need to budget for restaurants because you’ve already paid for all of your meals. Since many on-site activities are included – from poolside bingo and salsa lessons to use of kayaks, snorkel gear or sailboats – the only times you’ll reach for your wallet is to purchase any off-site excursions, spa treatments or souvenirs.
You know exactly what is included in your vacation package. When you make a reservation at an all-inclusive resort, everything that is included in your vacation is spelled out. At minimum, all-inclusives include three meals a day, plus drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks. But usually a daily schedule of activities (such as beach volleyball, pool relay races, language lessons or water aerobics) and evening shows are also included. Some all-inclusive resorts allow guests complimentary use of tennis racquets, bicycles or non-motorized boats; others include all staff gratuities and transfers from the local airport. Family-friendly resorts usually have complimentary kids’ clubs. Regardless of the details, you will know precisely what you’ve paid for in your vacation package.
Tour operators are on-site. While you could stay at your resort for your entire vacation, chances are you’ll want to leave the property to explore. Typically tour operators in the lobby of your hotel sell group excursions, which you can easily charge to a credit card. Have fun choosing from snorkeling trips, horseback-riding adventures, archeological tours, bar crawls or shopping itineraries.
You won’t go hungry. The food at all-inclusive resorts is typically plentiful. Most often, main buffet restaurants are huge, offering different items to please every palate (particularly picky kids; you’ll always find some semblance of pizza, burgers, French fries or pasta). Theme nights are common at buffet restaurants – so one night you might dine on seafood specialties, the next night could focus on Asian food, the next Italian. It’s also common to offer guests the choice of specialty a la carte restaurants – the bigger the resort, the more options you’ll have. Tip: If you are able to book reservations at a la carte restaurants, do so as soon as you reach the resort; typically the prime dining times go quickly.
You won’t go thirsty. Swim-up bars and beach bars are common at all-inclusive resorts, as are friendly staff who make the rounds at the pool offering everything from diet sodas and ice-cold bottled water to beer on tap and piña coladas. It’s typical for a resort to offer house red and white wines, with more options on a wine list at the a la carte restaurants for an additional fee. Tip: Pack an insulated coffee cup or drink container; that way you can take away some coffee from the breakfast buffet, or use the cup later to keep your drinks cold by the pool.
There are all sorts of different all-inclusive resorts. Family-friendly all-inclusive resorts abound in Mexico and the Caribbean, but if you’re looking for kid-free vacation, check out adults-only or couples-only properties. Similarly, there are smaller, budget all-inclusive resorts, and huge, luxury resorts. Some properties are known for their adjacent golf courses, others have a great snorkeling reef just offshore. No matter what kind of vacation you want, there is likely an all-inclusive resort to suit your tastes and pocketbook!