Travelling is one of life greatest pleasures, but it's not always easy, or affordable! All inclusive vacations make travelling accessible to almost everyone, and if you're in need of a vacation, an all inclusive down south may be the perfect fit for you.
An all inclusive vacation essentially refers to an organized trip (often in the Caribbean or a similarly hot and beautiful country), with a set price, that includes all amenities, like airfare, food, hotel, transfers, drinks, little bottles of shampoo etc. It's an all in one travel deal.
Whether you've never been on a plane before, or you're a bonafide travel expert looking for something relaxing and low key, all inclusives are attractive to travellers of all tastes.
As someone who's travelled all over the world in all kinds of ways, including all inclusives, cruises, backpacking, organized tours, school exchanges, the works, I can honestly say that booking an all inclusive is an escape like no other. One that should not be missed. There's nothing like kicking back and relaxing on the beach for a week. No stress, no worries and all the sunshine and cervezas you could want, and then some!
Here we look at some of the many reasons why everyone on this planet should try at least one all inclusive vacation in their lifetime. We'll also look into some of the reasons why you may want to skip over all inclusive vacations in lieu of other more adventurous or authentic experiences. So let's start the countdown and see some of the reasons to love (or skip over) all inclusives.
20 Soooo easy (have to try it)
The number one reason to try an all inclusive is because it's easy and stress free. It's the absolute perfect vacation for a first timer. As mentioned, the way all inclusive vacations work is you pay a set amount for your trip, either online or with a travel agent, ahead of time, and that price includes a beachside hotel and all you can eat food and drink.
If you've never left your home country, the easiest way to dip your feet into the travel pool is with an all inclusive.
Travelling is a bit like organizing a wedding. You can either find a venue that will do it all for you, or you can stress and organize everything on your own with separate vendors. Of course organizing it yourself will make the experience more personalized and potentially gratifying, but it's so much easy to go with a pre-assembled package.
With all inclusives, you have nothing to worry about except showing up at the airport on time! The rest is all sunny skies and relaxation.
19 It can get boring (nothing special)
If you need constant stimulation in your day, an all inclusive may be more boring than relaxing. In our constantly buzzing, vibrating, ringing, moving, digital-driven world, it's genuinely hard to disconnect and lay down doing nothing.
I've thought, multiple times during all inclusive vacations, "what now?"
I'm a fast reader and not a huge swimmer, so there are times in my day when I find myself searching for something to do.
Of course if your work weeks fly by and you find yourself living behind a screen, seven days of digital detox isn't a bad thing, you just have to appreciate the slow moments rather than allow yourself to get bored.
18 Cheap! (have to try it)
Depending when you travel and from which airport or city you fly out of, all inclusive vacations could start around $500 USD, and normally cost between $1000-$1500 for a nice resort.
Think of how much a night out costs you. Transport, food, drink, entertainment, it adds up fast. Because of what you're getting, all inclusive vacations are some of the cheapest trips around, other than road trips and weekend getaways. It's hard to get on a plane and spend a week in a foreign country and pay less than $1000 with any other type of vacation.
All inclusive vacations are paid upfront, in one lump sum payment, so once you arrive at your resort, you don't have to worry about money for seven lovely days. Other than tips and optional activities, you can forget about cash and just enjoy the moment.
17 Repetitive (nothing special)
The best word to describe all inclusive beach vacations is repetitive. Or, more politely, routine.
Both "r" words tell the same story however, and it's one that lacks originality and diversity.
This is what an all inclusive vacation looks like:
You take a plane to your destination
You take a bus to your resort hotel
You unpack your suitcase, and head to the beach, pool, bar or restaurant.
You eat dinner, then watch the evening show.
You go to bed.
The next morning you head to the beach or pool, stay there until lunch, then head back to your lounge chair after your meal. Then it's time for a nap, a shower, then dinner, show time, and finally bed time again.
Rinse and repeat until you find yourself waiting for the shuttle back to the airport to return home.
Don't bother taking many photos because we've seen it all before!
16 Unlimited food and drink (have to try it)
You know that feeling of wild abandon you get when you go to a wedding and you can have whatever you want to eat or drink. Now multiply that by seven.
Seven days (or more if you go for two weeks instead) of all you can eat buffets, a la carte restaurants and sugary vacation drinks by the pool. It's absolutely wild for young adults, still eager to party, and it's absolutely relaxing for parents sick of cooking and cleaning before and after every meal.
Depending where you go, the food is normally delicious. The fact that it's all covered, no matter how much you consume, is really liberating. You won't go home hungry, that's all I'm saying.
15 Generic food and drink (nothing special)
Unless you find yourself at a gastronomic hotel resort, known for their food (which I highly recommend for all the foodies out there), food can be lacklustre.
If you travel to Cuba, for example, the food is notoriously unpleasant. It's nothing you would send back to the kitchen because there's something wrong, you just won't be running back for seconds or thirds.
Variety can be an issue at all inclusive resorts, so if you don't like the basics, like pizza, pasta, eggs, chicken or seafood, well it's going to be a rough week for you.
14 Daily activities (have to try it)
There is constant entertainment during all inclusive vacations. You'll often see an activity board, or you'll receive a daily news bulletin, showcasing the events for the day. From pool volleyball to that evening's show, there's always something to do or see.
It's hard to miss the poolside activities, hosted by the resort's crew of animators. There are exercise classes, games, contests, you name it! It's also a great way to mingle and get to know the other people at the resort.
Fun fact: I met my future husband at an all inclusive resort. We were both guests, and we clicked!
It's definitely a great place to meet people and have fun.
13 Cheesy animators (nothing special)
There comes a time in your life when games and group activities do not interest you in the least. As mentioned, you don't have to participate if you don't want, but you can't necessarily get away from them.
The animators voice is heard across the resort, always imploring people to get up and join the zumba class, or shouting "one more person, we need one more person!" for the upcoming game. The games are fun if you participate, but can be really annoying if you're trying to read by the water and all you hear are the constant shouts and cheers from the animator crew.
The activities are cheesy, the animators are cheesy and you can either embrace it or cringe your way through the week.
12 Beautiful beaches (have to try it)
Hands down, the highlight of any all inclusive, and the reason these things exist in the first place, is because of the world class beaches.
These are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The crystal blue waters, the soft sand, the warm water. It's everything you want from a vacation, and it's right outside your room, day in and day out.
Even if you're not a beach person, you can't help but enjoy the view, and the calming sound of the waves, and the cool breeze that you just can't get poolside. Not every resort has the same quality of beach, some resorts are much more pool oriented, others have rockier shores and others still opt for more of a pier or boardwalk setup. But if you're a beach person, you can find some of the nicest beaches on all inclusive resorts, definitely.
11 There's very little discovery (nothing special)
When you book an all inclusive vacation you're doing it to relax and unwind, not to discover the world and see new things. Hey, if it's your first ever vacation or even your first all inclusive resort, you'll definitely have new experiences, but once you've done one, you've done them all.
For the most part, your vacation is limited to your room, the beach, the pool and the buffet. Venturing outside the resort is rare and seldom. When you do, it's with an organized tour and your discovery is somewhat curbed. If you want to explore the country or culture, you might want to opt for a different type of travel.
10 Breathtaking pools (have to try it)
I'm a pool person. The beach is great, but I hate trailing sand into my room. I'd much rather sit by the pool, enjoy the atmosphere (that's where all the action happens) and jump into the pool to cool down rather than wade into the ocean.
I'm weird, I know, but if you're a pool person too, all inclusives can't be beat.
The pool is the heart of every all inclusive resort. There's often a bar in the middle, and people constantly mingling around it. All the activities take place by the pool, and it's a huge sprawling centre of the resort, bringing everyone together.
It's hard to find bigger or nicer pools outside of all inclusive resorts.
9 A dime a dozen (nothing special)
You've seen one, you've seen them all! All inclusive resorts follow a tight formula that travellers have come to know and love.
There's the giant pool, the cheesy animators, the nightly shows, the buffet with theme nights, there's the taco and burrito restaurant, the pizza and pasta restaurant and everyone's favourite sushi restaurant where the chef will put on a show while he cooks for you.
The food is essentially the same everywhere, the drinks are essentially the same everywhere, and there's not a lot of diversity when it comes to resort style or atmosphere.
Jamaica is different from Mexico which is different from Barbados, but overall, nothing new to see here folks!
8 Loads of excursions (have to try it)
All inclusive resorts are great places to find safe and simple excursions and activities outside the resort. These often include snorkeling or scuba diving trips, sailing, kayaking, visiting local landmarks (like Tulum in Mexico), and even more adrenaline pumping activities like zip lining and cliff diving.
While the all inclusive formula is pretty tight, excursions give you the opportunity to build your own adventure and spice things up a bit. You can decide to pack your week with activities (it'll cost you though) or you can ignore them all and just relax by the beach. Either way, the option is yours.
7 Expensive excursions (nothing special)
Because you get such a good deal with the overall vacation, anything you want to add on will cost you a pretty penny.
If you actually pay to rent a car and drive to nearby parks or activity centers, you could save a lot of money, but no tourist thinks about this. Instead, they'll pay $100 to head to a nearby attraction because that's the package the lady at the front desk of their hotel recommended. Yet that same activity would only cost $15 entrance if you showed up on your own.
It's a business, and they're not giving activities away for free, so just be smart before you book!
6 Direct flights and hotel transfers included (have to try it)
The worst part of travelling is the actual travel / transport part! Airport layovers, taxis to your hotel, all of that is a pain. Technically you still have to do all the with an all inclusive resort, but at least it's organized for you.
Most of the time your all inclusive trip comes with a direct flight, or the fastest route to your destination. The airline may not be five stars, but the ride should be quick and painless. Then your transport is arranged for you, and you're dropped off and picked up later right at the lobby of your hotel.
No fuss, no muss. You won't get that if you book your own airfare and hotel separately.
5 Limited exploration (nothing special)
All inclusive resorts are designed to keep you inside, as creepy as that sounds. You have shops, restaurants, activities, excursions, all on site. The second you leave and explore on your own they lose money, which is why they push their own excursions on you rather than promote other options.
The beautiful feeling of walking through the streets of a new country, discovering shops and restaurants at your own pace, is completely gone from this style of vacation. You can leave the resort and visit the surrounding streets, but you won't find much other than gift shops with dinky souvenirs. You'll likely want to hurry back to the comfort of your resort.
With so much to discover, it's a shame that you're so cut off on the resort.
4 Perfect for groups (have to try it)
Travelling with big groups can be a logistical nightmare. I wouldn't want to go anywhere with a big group of people other than an all inclusive. Organized tours (I'm looking at you, Sinorama) are not so bad, but it might not be the right pace for everyone in your party.
An all inclusive is malleable, you can shape it into whatever you like. With big groups, some people can be by the pool, others can go off on an excursion, and maybe one couple makes a private dinner reservation for a mini date night. Who knows! One thing is for sure, you don't have to stress over all the little things because it's already organized for you.
3 Limited wifi (nothing special)
There's nothing more frustrating for friends and family back home, eager to talk to you, than bad (or no) internet connection.
One of the reasons to go away, I imagine, would be to gain some distance from your daily grind. That includes dialling back the internet usage. But at the same time, we're a world of internet addicts, and you might find yourself looking down at a loading screen on your phone for a lot longer than you probably should.
Gone are the days of internet cafés with prepaid 30 minute cards, but the wifi connection still isn't as good as you'd expect it to be. Lower your expectations and lower your phone while you're at it, and you'll be fine.
2 Best value (have to try it)
I said it once and I'll say it again, you cannot get a better deal if you want to travel to a different country for a week. Of course, you have to know what to expect. If you're hungry for adventure, or really eager to learn about culture or history the way you would in Europe, you'll be disappointed. But if you want a place to relax, disconnect, swim, tan, and enjoy, there is no better value.
Try it! Buy your plane tickets, rent an AirBnb, buy your meals, do your activities, and add up the total. It doesn't work out. But it's not just about the bottom line price, everything is essentially handed to you on a silver platter at these resorts, and you don't get that anywhere else, even on a cruise.
1 Ignores the poverty of the country (nothing special)
One of the most frustrating parts of all inclusive traveling is the poverty stricken areas you inhabit while you simultaneously treat yourself like royalty.
All inclusives attract tourism, but that tourism doesn't directly make it's way back to the citizens of the country at large. Instead what you find are these elaborate luxurious resorts in the heart of an area where people are living in homes with crumbling walls that struggle to buy shampoo and clothing for themselves and their families.
There's a sickening sense of entitlement tourists have when they visit all inclusive resorts. Everything needs to be perfect, or else. If you step outside and look at the homes by the side of the road, you quickly realize the area is far from perfect. You can either turn a blind eye, like most travellers, or you can really look around and engage with the locals, offering them as much help as you can.