15 Essential Tips For An Awesome Stay At An All Inclusive Resort
If you’ve never been on an all inclusive vacation before, it can be difficult to know exactly what to expect. All inclusive vacations are designed to be relaxing, and shouldn’t be a source of stress. That being said, there are several important things to keep in mind when selecting a resort and preparing for your trip. After visiting all inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Jamaica, I’ve put together my best tips to help you have a dream vacation at an all inclusive resort!
1. Choose a location
There are so many amazing places that have all inclusive resorts that it can be hard to choose where to go! Are you dreaming of the Caribbean, or is Mexico more your style? While most all inclusive resorts have amazing beaches, the feel of your trip will be different depending on which country you stay in, as will the various historic sites or excursions you choose to go on. I loved the beaches and historic sites near Cancun, but enjoyed the adventures I had in Jamaica.
2. Pick a type of resort
Are you looking for a family friendly place to stay, or searching for an adults-only oasis? Making a list of requirements for your resort before you get booking will help you save time and narrow down options.
3. Get a great deal
Finding a great deal on an all inclusive vacation may be easier than you’d think. Prices are typically lower during the off season, and tend to be higher during spring break and winter. Don’t be afraid to shop around-often times you can even find a package where your flights are included!
4. Research your resort
Once you’ve found a great deal and think you’ve picked the perfect place to stay, do some research on the resort. I recommend checking TripAdvisor to make sure that the resort really is as great as it looks on the website. This is also a great way to make sure that the resort’s amenities-food, drinks, entertainment, and facilities are all in line with what you are expecting.
5. Pack properly
Make sure that you pack everything you need for your trip! You won’t want to leave behind any essentials like sunscreen, swimwear, or the proper attire. Many resorts have some restaurants that require dress codes, so be sure to check if yours has a dress code policy and to pack accordingly. It is also important to check the weather before you go so you have the proper clothing for the climate. Check out my post What To Pack For An All Inclusive Beach Vacation for a detailed list of what to bring (and what to leave behind!).
6. Create a budget
Create a budget? Isn’t this an all inclusive? While your drinks, meals, and stay will be included, it is important to create a budget for souvenirs, excursions, and other incidentals. It is easy to forget this once you are at the resort, only to return home and realize that you spent more money than you anticipated. Creating a budget in advance will help you avoid overspending.
7. Research excursions
I highly recommend researching which excursions you are interested in before you go. Not only will this help you create a trip budget, but you will also get helpful packing tips. For example, in Jamaica I knew I wanted to climb Dunn’s River Falls, and packed water shoes so I wouldn’t have to purchase them later. It is also helpful to know how close your resort is to many of the excursions you are interested in. I learned this the hard way. In Jamaica, many of the activities I wanted to do were in a town 2-3 hours away from our resort, and the bus rides definitely took time out of our vacation.
8. Talk to your bank
If you are leaving the country, you will want to call and tell your bank and credit card company that you are headed out of town so you don’t get flagged for fraud. You’ll also want to know what the local currency is, and what your international charges or withdrawals policy is. You’ll also want to make sure that you have some cash on you as well!
9. Check airport transportation
Most resorts offer airport pickup and drop off services. Make sure that you have your arrival and departure times sorted out before you go, and have a clear understanding of where you can expect to be picked up upon your arrival.
10. Learn about the tipping policy
In most all inclusive resorts, tips are not included. Even though food and drinks are free, you’ll find that there are lots of people you should be tipping. From waiters and bartenders to excursion guides and drivers, you’ll want to know what an appropriate amount is to tip so that you are not over tipping, or worse, not tipping at all.
11. Watch your valuables
While resort properties are typically closed to the public, you will still want to keep an eye on your things. Lock up your passport and valuables inside your room, and watch your things when you are relaxing by the pool or beach. My family had a camera go missing in the Dominican Republic, and my mom still hasn’t gotten over it. Better safe than sorry!
12. Bring your own insulated cup
If you love icy cold drinks and hate leaving the beach to go get a refill, you may want to consider bringing your own cup. Many times drinks are served in small plastic cups, so bringing your own will help keep your drinks cool and save you a few trips to the bar.
13. Don’t overindulge
When all of your drinks are included, it can be easy to over-indulge. Watch to see how much alcohol is going into your drinks, and be sure you are eating enough food before consuming and drinking enough water. No one wants a hangover on vacation!
14. Unplug
Many resorts have wifi all around the property, including the beach. However, just because wifi is available doesn’t mean you should be taking advantage of it all the time! Ditch the phone and enjoy some time sans technology.
15. Last but not least…kick back, relax, and have some fun!
All inclusive vacations are all about enjoying yourself worry-free. Leave your stress behind and don’t sweat the small stuff. It can be easy to over-book your vacation, so be sure to leave plenty of time on your itinerary to just relax, hang by the pool, or listen to the waves crash by the ocean.
Have you been on an all inclusive vacation or do you have any tips for going on one? Comment and let me know!
You might also like:
- What To Pack For An All Inclusive Beach Vacation
- Why You Won’t Want To Miss The Blue Hole: Jamaica’s Hidden Gem
- Climbing Jamaica’s Dunn’s River Falls: Tips For Visiting This Epic Attraction
- How I Spent 1 Month In Greece (Almost) For Free!
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