Visiting an all-inclusive resort for the first time can be exciting. There’s just one up-front cost to sleep, eat, and do nearly everything.
It can also be a little overwhelming. These resorts are typically pretty huge, with multiple pools, restaurants, and buildings, and it’s hard to believe that everything, from drinks at the bar to post-dinner soft serve is really included in the price.
I’ve been visiting these types of resorts since my honeymoon way back in 2003, and my biggest takeaway after all this time is that they can be the perfect home base for an incredible, stress-free vacation, so long as you know the ins and outs of how to navigate them.
Here are five things first-timers should know about all-inclusive resorts, including how they work and what makes them worth booking for your next trip.
In this article
- If Your Resort Offers a Tour or Welcome Activity, Do it on Check-in Day
- Be Open To Everything on the Resort’s Activities Calendar
- Take Advantage of Kids Clubs and Adults-Only Areas
- Bring Local Currency With You and Be Familiar With Transportation Methods
- Budget Extra Money for Add-Ons and Off-Site Adventures
- The Shortcut
If Your Resort Offers a Tour or Welcome Activity, Do it on Check-in Day
At check-in, many all-inclusives will offer you a tour of the property or share details about welcome activities for new guests. If your resort offers these types of activities, it’s a great idea to take advantage of them as soon as possible post check-in.
That’s because all-inclusive resorts tend to be extremely large with winding pathways that lead to various restaurants, activity areas, and entertainment venues. If you make the time upfront to properly acquaint yourself, you’ll save serious time later in the visit.
In my early days of visiting all-inclusives, I remember rushing from our dinner restaurant to try to find the spot where our evening entertainment was located or being late for a morning exercise class because I was unclear on where it was being held. Now, I make sure to familiarize myself with the property right away to help avoid these issues later in my stay.
If your resort doesn’t offer these kinds of activities, ask for a map at check-in and walk the paths of the resort on your own independent walking tour to get your bearings.
Be Open To Everything on the Resort’s Activities Calendar
All-inclusive resorts are often similar to cruise ships in that they have scheduled daily activities and devoted staff that work hard to plan lots of guest activities throughout the day. And most don’t incur an extra cost (though, it’s always worth double checking, especially if the activity includes making a craft).
Ask for the schedule for the duration of your stay at check-in and study it, making note of activities that interest you. Maybe you’re a yoga fan who’s excited for sunrise stretching on the beach or a singer who loves late-night karaoke: These activities are part of the price of the stay, so take advantage of everything that interests you to reap the most value from your vacation.
It’s also important to keep an open mind about things you maybe wouldn’t sign up for at home. Once, I attended a friendship bracelet-making class at the Sandals resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and though it was a last-minute decision, I ended up having a great time (and enjoying an energizing iced coffee and some quiet time away from my travel party).
My husband and I also once joined an ocean kayaking excursion on a whim at the Occidental Papagayo resort in Costa Rica and it’s a memory we still talk about today, one we’d have missed out on had we not walked by and decided to grab a kayak.
Take Advantage of Kids Clubs and Adults-Only Areas
My kids are teenagers with busy schedules now, so family vacations are some of the few times when we’re all together in one place.
Still, I remember all too well the trips we’d take to all-inclusive resorts when they were small. If you’re traveling with young kids, take breaks by sending them to the resort’s kids club. At regular hotels, these can cost extra, but at all-inclusive resorts, they’re usually included in the price.
Resorts like the Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos have immersive kids’ programming, from kids clubs to recreation and craft activities. While your kids are playing with their peers, you can take advantage of one of the resort’s adults-only pools or beaches and enjoy some quiet time with your partner.
The same rule applies in the evenings. While it’s fun to grab dinner together as a family a few nights of your vacation, don’t miss out on the chance to go on a date night with your partner or enjoy a grown-ups only meal with your travel party.
Often, the kids club at an all-inclusive resort will even feed your kids dinner, so take advantage of the “free” babysitting, dress in your best resort wear, and have a fun night at the resort’s restaurants and bars while your kids are in good hands. Just don’t stay out too late; you know your kids will still wake up at 6 a.m. on vacation.
Bring Local Currency With You and Be Familiar With Transportation Methods
Some of the most rookie mistakes I’ve made traveling to all-inclusive resorts involve money, but not in the way you’re thinking.
If you’re traveling to a foreign country, research the form of currency used there and order some in advance through your bank.
Although an all-inclusive is a place where almost everything is included (and things that aren’t are charged to a credit card), tipping golf cart drivers, bartenders, and servers is common practice in many regions. Since you're rarely ever handed a bill, you can't count on a receipt gratuity line.
There’s also a good chance you’ll leave the resort and you’ll want to have some cash on hand for souvenirs or snacks. Getting hit with fees for changing your U.S. dollars to the currency du jour can be pricey, so it’s a good idea to prepare in advance.
In the same vein, take some time in advance to research transportation in the towns around your resort. Are there Ubers in the area? Are there ride share apps specific to the country that you should download and register for ahead of time? Is there public transportation? Does your resort offer bicycles for guests who want to venture off-grounds?
Knowing the answers to these questions and how you’ll get from Point A to Point B before you’re rushing to get somewhere will save you from getting charged high amounts for private car service or taxis.
Budget Extra Money for Add-Ons and Off-Site Adventures
When I first started visiting all-inclusive resorts, I made the mistake of not wanting to leave the property.
Yes, all-inclusives have stunning pools, beautiful grounds, sunny beaches, and all the food and drinks you could ever want, but plan on taking some time to explore the area around the resort, too.
This means you’ll want to budget for off-site expenses in the towns surrounding the resort and also for any excursions you book through your resort.
When my husband and I travel, we make it a point to head into town one day to shop and eat, and we book a few excursions to the more touristy locations we want to see, like the time we took a day trip to Chichén Itzá while staying at the Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya resort in Mexico. These cost extra, even if you go through your resort.
You may also choose an all-inclusive resort that has specialty restaurants that can be booked for an upcharge. It’s a good idea to research these add-ons in advance so you’re aware of how much to budget and which add-ons are a priority. You’ll also want to consider what you’ll spend on property on things like souvenirs or spa treatments because, while almost everything is included in an all-inclusive, there are always some things that cost extra.
The Shortcut
Take the welcome tour or grab a map on day one. Resort layouts are notoriously confusing and getting the lay of the land will prevent missed reservations later.
Kids clubs are included at most resorts and sometimes cover dinner, too. Use the break for an adults-only pool or an actual date night.
Order local currency before you go. You'll want cash once you leave the property, and the exchange fees add up fast if you wait.
Excursions, specialty restaurants, and off-site day trips almost always cost extra. Prioritize your add-ons and budget for them separately.
While all-inclusive beach resorts are popular in places like Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean, there are also domestic all-inclusive properties that offer a more varied resort experience, from dude ranches to hot springs.
