Are All-Inclusive Resorts Right for You?

Many years ago, when travel was not even an interest of mine, I would often see those all-inclusive resort commercials pop up on my TV and kind of rolled my eyes at them.

I thought it was such a waste of time for people to go hundred, sometimes thousands of miles out of their way just to lay around on a beach or pool for an entire week.

Well, that all changed when Meshach and I experienced our first all-inclusive resort a couple of years ago and now I’m somewhat feeling guilty for thinking so negative about all-inclusive vacations.

The Convenience

Resorts are meant to allow you to have a convenient, hassle-free vacation, so I can see why people are drawn to booking an all-inclusive stay vs being at a destination on their own.

Meals and often drinks (alcoholic and non) are readily available throughout the day. So you don’t have to roam a destination looking for a place to eat for your next meal. And who can say “no” to included wine and other beverages typically offered at all-inclusive resorts?

Activities are another draw to doing the all-inclusive route. Many resorts offer classes like yoga, as well as water sports, fitness centers, pools, and entertainment. You’d literally have no reason to leave the resort because everything is all there for your convenience.

When we stayed at Club Med Punta Cana, there was so much entertainment in the evenings, particularly awesome performances by on-site Cirque du Soleil. You could even train with them in their immersive classes!

One more thing to include to the list of convenience is the location. Whether a beach, mountain, or forest, chances are you can get access to amazing views within steps of the resort. No worries with finding a parking spot or paying access fees for parking and entry.

You’ll Be Away from it All

OK, so the location could be an issue for some travelers. A lot of resorts are typically closed off from the rest of the local area so you’re kind of forced into seclusion. Some may be fine with being away from it all, but others may not.

Depending on your interest, if you enjoy a more leisurely experience on your vacation, then all-inclusive resorts are definitely right for you! However, if you’re like us, that might not be the case. We really enjoy a mix of both leisure and exploration. While being able to relax and take some time for ourselves, after a couple of days we are curious to see what else is out there in the region we are visiting.

This doesn’t just apply to resorts, but even when we travel and have a trip planned on our own, after a couple of days in the city we want to hop on a bus or train and take day trips. If you’re staying somewhere that makes it easy to explore other cities and towns from where you’re at – then why not do it?

I guess you can say we have “itchy travel feet” LOL But it’s just in our nature. We are very curious about new places and want to make the most of every trip no matter if it’s a resort or a hotel in the city. We love to explore!

If you’re staying at a resort and you get “itchy travel feet” like us, we recommend booking an excursion off the resort even if just for a full day. You’ll get to see the local area, interact with locals, experience new scenery – something to mix things up on your all-inclusive trip! When we were in the Dominican Republic we spent a day with Outback Adventures and we learned so much about the local region while having a memorable time.

Going on A Cruise

Have you ever considered a cruise as an all-inclusive resort? If not, it definitely can be one! The only difference is that it’s a resort sailing on water instead of being on land. Sometimes, cruises can work out to be cheaper than an all-inclusive resort on land.

Cruises offer included meals and drinks (certain drinks are included, and alcohol is usually an extra cost whereas an all-inclusive resort may include it in your stay.) Some ships do not offer free WiFi while resorts may offer it for free during your stay. So another thing to think about!

A lot of cruises also have activities for kids such as a kids club or camp like at Club Med Punta Cana and Carnival Cruises. This is great for family travelers because the kids can have fun interacting with other kids their age and stay super busy doing fun activities while parents could have a “kid free” lunch or dinner. Maybe even a visit to the spa for some relaxation time!

Tristan loved the kids club at Carnival Cruises, he wanted nothing to do with us! Every morning of our cruise, he’d wake up and ask if he could go play with his new friends.

Let’s Talk Money

Before deciding if an all-inclusive vacation is right for you, you should also compare the costs.

Research the price of lodging, meals, and activities as if you were to do it on your own, then compare it with whatever the cost the resort charges per day. Also consider how much you’d spend in valuable vacation time trying to get around to different places on your own each day.

Going back to the type of traveler you are, consider if you’d prefer to sleep in and do things at your own pace or if you are good with getting up early to catch a bus or train for some sightseeing during the day.

“There is no wrong or right way to travel. Everybody’s different!”

If you haven’t tried an all-inclusive resort and afraid to do it because of what fellow travelers, friends or family might think of you, don’t let that stop you from doing something even if it’s only once! Travel is all about creating memories and new experiences.

And besides, they’re not paying for your trip – YOU ARE! So go ahead and treat yo’ self!

Do you prefer resorts or navigating your way around a destination independently? There’s no wrong or right answer! Comment below and share this post!

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