All-inclusive vacation packages are gaining more popularity every year. Most resorts and hotels now offer all-inclusive packages designed to meet the needs of their guests for one price. Marketed to appear less expensive than paying for all of your expenses separately, it is easy to see why many travelers opt for these packages. But, are all-inclusive packages right for you? Let us examine the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself.
Pros
- No planning, all of your shops, restaurants and activities are in one area
- Never have to consider meal or drink prices
- Do not have to carry your wallet
- Tons of activities to choose from
- Choice of resort restaurants
- Do not have to rent a car or worry about transportation
- Never alone, always other guests for company
- Safety
- Pools, bars, clubs are free
- Can be cheaper than paying separately for each activity and meal
Cons
- Not a wide variety of food options
- Limited to resort activities (unless you pay out of pocket)
- Spend too much time at resort, never seeing the real culture of your destination
- Still have to tip in most cases
- Have to make dinner reservations
- Restricted to choices included in your package
- Paying for meals in local currency can be cheaper
- Too many people in one space
- Long lines
As you can see, there are nearly as many pros as there cons when considering an all-inclusive vacation. Therefore, you need to carefully consider what is important to you. If you want the ease of never having to worry about transportation or prices for food, drink, and activities, then an all-inclusive vacation is probably a better option for you.
If you would rather experience the local culture, sights, and cuisine of your destination, it might be better for you to choose a non-inclusive vacation. You will have to do some research and planning though, to ensure that you are getting the best prices on everything while vacationing.