If you have never stayed at an all-inclusive resort before, it is common to question whether all-inclusive resorts are worth the money. They can be a terrific option for you depending on where you are traveling to and what you want out of a vacation.
My Experience
I stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico called the Occidental at Xcaret Destination Resort. This resort has several lovely pools, an oceanfront beach, nature trails, a buffet restaurant, 5 specialized restaurants (ex. a Mexican restaurant and a Mediterranean/Italian restaurant), and additional food and drink bars. The piña coladas and strawberry daquiris were delicious. For nighttime entertainment, they host several shows, have live music, and have a night club.
The food, resort grounds, safety, and service were nothing short of spectacular. It was a luxurious all-inclusive experience, and the resort is within close proximity of exciting excursions as well. Some excursion options include ziplining, swimming in a cenote, and visiting the pyramids of Chichen Itza (1 of the 7 wonders of the world). When we went on excursions, we were able to be picked up outside of our resort and transported both ways. Our resort transferred us from and to the airport as well which was amazing!
My parents found a price bundle with the all-inclusive resort and flights. We went in 2018, and it cost about $1,000 per person, which I think is a good price with flights, a week at the resort, and endless food and drinks all included! Now, I hope to plan a trip to another all-inclusive resort in another country soon!
Steps to Take
- Pick Your Destination
- Compare Amenities (Activities/Excursions, Restaurants, Services, etc.)
- Find Price Bundles
- Enjoy Your Trip & Order Everything!
Finding a Resort
If you are hoping to plan a lovely all-inclusive resort vacation while not breaking the bank, it is important to pick certain destinations. While all-inclusive resorts in the United States and luxurious islands can be very expensive, you can still find amazing resorts for a reasonable price. I recommend looking for these resorts in places like Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. While searching for a resort, consider looking at price bundles that are offered through the resort or reputable travel companies. Like I mentioned, my family got a great deal with a price bundle of a week-long stay at the all-inclusive resort and flights.
Of course, the level of luxury will vary for different all-inclusive resorts. Some all-inclusive resorts come up on Google that really don’t have many restaurants or fancy amenities. If you are at an all-inclusive resort for a week, you will probably want several restaurant options so you are not eating the same food day after day. Be sure to read reviews to see whether previous guests had a good experience and whether they thought the price was reasonable for that specific resort.
If you decide to book an all-inclusive vacation, be ready to relax and order as much as you can possibly consume! For some all-inclusive resorts, they have specific attire requirements for certain restaurants, so look into this in advance. Take advantage of their shows and free events that they put on while you are there. Outside excursions are usually not included, but verify with your resort. They will tell you the excursion options if you are planning on leaving the resort grounds. You can definitely plan a vacation at an all-inclusive resort and never leave the resort grounds if you would prefer. The resort we stayed at had plenty of activities to keep our family entertained.
Conclusion
Personally, after my experience staying at an all-inclusive resort, I believe they can certainly be worth the money.
Have you ever visited an all-inclusive resort? Tell me about your experience in the comments!
Thanks for stopping by! Cheers to relaxing at resorts and ordering what you want at restaurants without worrying about the price! To find my other blog posts, check out the destinations tab on my website.