10 Tips for Staying at an All-Inclusive Resort
I’d like to welcome Julie to my team as my new travel contributor! You may already know Julie from her blog, Sober Julie. She’ll be sharing all things travel including tips, tricks, reviews and much more!
All-inclusive resorts have been a popular way to travel for quite some time. The overall benefit is that you don’t have to think about a thing while you’re away. From activities to meals, the resort provides everything right there on the premises and you’ll truly have the opportunity to relax.
These are 10 tips I’ve learned after years of travelling to all-inclusive resorts; some will seem like no-brainers, but others I’ve learned the hard way.
1. Don’t forget about airport transportation. Before you leave for your trip, be sure to arrange your airport transportation and print off any documents you may need. Many all-inclusive resorts provide transportation. Read your information to know how to identify your transportation operator at the airport. If your travel isn’t included, ask your airline’s representative at the airport to recommend a company.
2. Keep your valuables safe. From passports to tablets, each of us travels with items that we’d be lost without. Before you travel, research and see if you have an in-room safe. Most all-inclusive hotels offer small in-room safes (not large enough for a laptop) and some have safes you can rent out at the front desk.
The moment you arrive in your room, lock away your passports and travel documents because you won’t be needing them again until you depart. I also use the in-room safe for phones and jewelry…but leave any expensive jewelry at home!
3. Tips aren’t always included. Although many resorts include tips in the up-front cost, some don’t. Always bring small bills for tipping and remember how much $1 means to these hard-working people who make significantly less than we are used to. From taxi drivers, waitresses to the cleaning staff, there are many opportunities to make someone’s day with a small tip.
4. Bring a brand new bottle of sunblock. The sun in southern countries is vastly different than the sun here at home in Ontario, Canada. It’s stronger and you’ll be applying sunblock more often as you’re apt to be spending most of your day outside. Bring a brand new bottle of sunblock so that you don’t run out mid-way through your holiday. In the event you do run out, be prepared to pay a premium price to buy more.
5. Take it easy with the food. All-inclusive means free food, usually all day or night. Please remember that you’re eating different foods made with different oils. Your body may not always react the way you expect so for the first day go easy on your body and be aware of how you react.
6. Plan some downtime. At each all-inclusive resort, there are activities all day long which you may want to try. Remember that you’re vacationing and can run out of steam quickly. Take some downtime each day to rest and recharge so that you don’t overdo it too soon and find yourself in bed before the evening shows.
7. Bring your own cup and watch the pour. Often times the cups at all-inclusive resort bars are quite small and if you’re like me, you can drink a bottle of water in no time. We bring Bubba mugs to reduce our trips to get refreshments. Also, if you’re enjoying alcoholic beverages, don’t over indulge. We’ve all seen those people who have drank so much by noon that they’re asleep by the pool. Don’t be that guy (or girl)…
8. Look into Kids’ Camp. Many all-inclusive resorts have wonderful kids camps for families. Before you travel, do some research into any requirements they may have for shoes or clothing and begin chatting with your wee ones to prepare them. Show them the photos online and get them comfortable and even excited about the idea of going. This will give you free time as adults and the activities they will enjoy are wonderful.
9. Plan ahead for excursions & other activities. Most resorts partner with local businesses to offer excursions and activities you can purchase above the cost of your stay. Usually you can access these choices online to prepare for the expense before you travel. Take time to look at this because once you’re on vacation the pull to experience all that you can will be strong.
10. Be prepared to disconnect from WiFi. We are a highly digitally-connected population and all too often when we travel, we expect to have a strong signal like we are used to. Although you may purchase a travel plan for your mobile phone, the local cell towers may go down so be prepared to be disconnected. Many all-inclusive resorts have WiFi packages you can purchase or common areas where it’s free, but again, the signal isn’t 100%.
These are just 10 tips, there are many others. In the end, do your research before you travel and once you’re there be prepared to experience a lovely stay!
Have you ever stayed at an all-inclusive resort?
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I’ve only ever stayed at an all inclusive resort once and that was my honeymoon in Morocco. Not a good time since there was some with disturbances and gun shots, some mornings there was only cake for breakfast as no deliveries had got through. I did once see the meat arrive at our hotel – on an open backed truck, just lying there!! Perhaps better than the local market where they were busy spraying the meat with something to keep off the mounds of big flies. Not good memories of an all inclusive holiday.
Great tips! We don’t travel much so have never gone to an All-Inclusive Resort. Maybe some day 🙂
I’ve never been to an all-inclusive (or any resort for that matter!) but taking it easy on the food at first is a brilliant tip! I didn’t know about the small cups either, so will keep that in mind if we ever have a sunny vacation.
Surprisingly, I have never traveled all inclusive! I travel to Mexico every winter and have always done air/hotel packages or a separate hotel and air combo… Id be interested in trying AI though for something different – so those are some great tips for what to expect 🙂
Lots of good tips — thanks!
I’d love a vacation!
awesome!!! thanks for the great tips. i have this bookmarked because hubby and I are going away on our first vacation together come July so these are really great to know!
Great tips! We travel a lot but have never stayed at an all-inclusive resort. Will keep these tips in mind for future use.
This is something my family really needs to do. Thanks for sharing these tips. I don’t know if I can prepare to disconnect from WiFi.
I have just returned from an all inclusive stay in Costa Rica. We had a blast! Some great tips for any traveler.
I would also suggest taking advantage of the resorts FREE activities:
bike rentals, kayaking, etc. spanish lessons, dance lessons, aerobics, water polo.
The resort I was at had a kitchen tour plus how to carve and make fruit decorations, also a how to make cocktails and how to make origami towels.
all resorts are different so take some time to check out all the free activities, especially if your are on a budget and can’t do all the tours.