All-Inclusives are a great choice if you’re looking for a relaxing, worry-free vacation. Since all of your food and drinks are included and already paid for, you won’t have to settle for the less expensive dinner option, or limit yourself to one poolside cocktail. You can truly treat yourself without the stress of an astronomical room charge bill coming at the end of the trip.

In addition to the money stresses being lifted, you can also let go of your planning worries. All-inclusives have a myriad of activities happening daily on top of their (usual) many pools and beautiful beach. From morning yoga, to garden tours to tequila tastings, to pool volleyball, there’s something for everyone. They also have evening entertainment like concerts, dinner shows, casino nights, and more. This allows you to simply wake up in paradise and join in. There’s no signing up, buying tickets, or ordering Lyfts. 

If you do wish to get out of the resort and explore the destination more, there are plenty of excursion options that you can book right in the lobby of most all-inclusives. These activities are pre-planned and include transportation to and from the resort so you don’t have to worry about finding your way back. You can enjoy a simple visit to the nearest town for shopping and lunch, or trek into the jungle for a ziplining adventure, or set sail on a catamaran to the best snorkeling spots.

All-inclusives offer a wonderful, safe, home base for you while you either relax in paradise, or explore your destination. There’s really no cons. You’re not locked into any resort activities or meals if you’d like to venture out, but everything is there for you when and if you want it.

An all-Inclusive resort is a great choice for a honeymoon! After the stress, excitement, and busyness of a wedding, many couples seek a relaxing escape to simply enjoy being together. All-inclusives offer just that. The hardest part about planning an all-inclusive honeymoon is choosing between all the beautiful resorts your travel agent will present to you. After that, you simply enjoy. 

All-inclusives can also be very budget-friendly if you’ve just spent a lot on a wedding. As with other vacation types, there is a range of prices and options.

In addition to their worry-free and budget-friendly nature, all-inclusives also often offer honeymoon or romance packages for newlyweds or couples celebrating anniversaries, engagements, or babymoons. These resorts are usually equipped with state-of-the-art spas, which offer couples treatments. You can also delight in private beach dinners and suites with private pools, soaking tubs, and beach views.

Sandals Royal Barbados

Sandals is an iconic brand for a reason. They deliver incredible service and accommodations in nearly every corner of paradise. Sandals Royal Barbados is no exception. With a rooftop pool and restaurant, in addition to a myriad of other activities, this resort goes above and beyond your average all-inclusive.

This resort is located in St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados on a strip of sandy white beach. It’s home to 21 restaurants — 10 at Royal Barbados and 11 at (walkably) nearby Sandals Barbados, as well as a bowling alley. Bowling is not the only included activity; at Sandals you can participate in a full range of water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving and more. In addition to water sports, land activities available include beach volleyball, yoga, and bocce ball.

At Sandals Royal Barbados, you can stay in Beachfront Prime Minister One Bedroom Butler Suites with private pools and soaking tubs if you want the royal treatment. You can also opt for a junior suite for more affordable luxury.

Excellence Playa Mujeres

Treat yourself to an “unparalleled adults only paradise” at Excellence Playa Mujeres in the Cancun area of Mexico. If you’re seeking relaxation and indulgence, this is the resort for you. “Cancun luxury is redefined at Excellence Playa Mujeres, a beachfront paradise that brings a fresh perspective to All Inclusive resorts. Here, elegant service meets effortless style, and guests are invited to make our home their own. From our world-class culinary offerings and entertainment to our sprawling suites, every detail has been created so you can experience the extraordinary.” 

Pretty much everything is included at this resort, so while you’re there, you don’t have to worry about a thing. You’ll be pampered by the top-shelf staff and amenities. For an extra charge, visit the Miilé spa for world class couples massages and treatments. You can even have that iconic private dinner on the beach, or a champagne breakfast in bed.

Secrets Wild Orchid

Rising from a Montego Bay peninsula with more than a mile of stunning beach, Secrets Wild Orchid is a beautiful escape for anyone looking to relax in paradise. This AAA Four Diamond all-inclusive, adults-only retreat was inspired by Jamaica’s culture, natural beauty, and history. 

A variety of gourmet restaurants and bars, a state-of-the-art spa, and plenty of activities make this resort a destination in itself. Delight in four pools including an infinity pool and a sunset hot tub, plus access to neighboring Secrets St. James pool. The Promenade is home to restaurants, shopping, a theater, water polo, pool volleyball, watersports, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and more.

Pretty much everything is included at this resort, so while you’re there, you don’t have to worry about a thing. You’ll be pampered by the top-shelf staff and amenities. For an extra charge, visit the Miilé spa for world class couples massages and treatments. You can even have that iconic private dinner on the beach, or a champagne breakfast in bed.

Wishlist:

A resort we haven’t yet visited that is at the top of our wishlist is the Hotel Xcaret Arte, Mexico. The Hotel Xcaret Arte in Cancun, Mexico is a resort unlike any other. If you’re seeking adventure and relaxation in an artistic setting, this is the resort for you. 

“Discover an artisan Mexico, that has captured through generations its history and culture in looms, paintings, clay pieces and symphonies, creating a unique marvel just in front of the Caribbean Sea that fusions a natural and artistic Mexico…..its unique concept will transform the hotel industry. Come and live art from its inception. We are Mexico, we are art.”

Xcaret Arte is more than an all-inclusive because staying there also grants you access to multiple theme, adventure, and water parks throughout the jungles and waterways of Riviera Maya. From adventure tours of cenotes, to whitewater rafting, to Xcaret park and its 50 natural and cultural attractions, you’ll never run out of things to do. 

After your day of adventures, stop by the Muluk Spa, relax by the pool, or head to dinner prepared by one of two Michelin Star chefs at HA’ or Encanta. The Xcaret Arte also offers 5 workshops: dancing, pottery, weaving, painting and literature. 

Of the 6 Casas at Hotel Xcaret Arte, we recommend the Casa De La Paz, which offers a tranquil retreat inspired by the spa.

Once you’ve decided on an all-inclusive vacation, you have many choices for destinations. We mainly recommend staying in all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico, where you’ll be most comfortable in a well-appointed resort.

Thinking of another tropical destination? There are amazing all-inclusives all over, however, it may not make sense in certain places. Destinations such as St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, and more have so much to do and explore, you may feel that an all-inclusive isn’t the best value. Instead, you may want to put that money toward trying out local dining and activities.

If you’d like to stay at a well-appointed resort with drinks and food included, but are still thinking of spending time exploring your destination outside of your resort, an all-inclusive resort could still be the right choice for you.