Ten Shocks of All-Inclusive Resorts
Today we’re in Cancun, Mexico, home of some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world. I wanted to share ten things that shock tourists when they have an all-inclusive holiday for the first time. When I say all-inclusive, I’m talking about the resorts that include food, beverages, lodging and entertainment all in one price.
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #1 Prices
When you’re looking at all-inclusive resort, you might see price that seems reasonable, but what you may not realize is that the charge is usually per person, not per room. This can differ between properties, so you’ll have to read the fine print that explains the room rates. So, the rate you pay may be double or triple the initial amount you see, depending on the number of people in your party. There is usually a discounted rate for children, depending on their age, but that can vary by resort as well.
You might think that everything is included, but there are many things that aren’t included in your all-inclusive vacation fee. Things like sunblock or souvenirs are not included and the shops at the resort inflate the prices quite a bit because they have a captive market. (See Shock #9)
Don’t be discouraged, though. When you consider all the things that are included in the rate, it can still be a good deal. If you like to eat or drink, and would normally run up a high bar tab or restaurant bill, you will likely get your money’s worth at an all-inclusive resort.
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #2 Variety of All-Inclusive Resorts to Choose From
You will be shocked at how many different types of all-inclusive resorts you have to choose from. You have to do your research ahead of time because different resorts cater to different individuals or groups. Family travelers will find resorts that cater to them, while partiers will also have specific options to choose from. This really becomes evident in the high season. If you take your family to an all-inclusive during Spring Break without proper research, you could end up with some real shocks when your kids are surrounded by drunk 21-year-olds. There are lots of resources out there; from TripAdvisor to booking.com; and they will give you an idea of the primary demographic of certain resorts.
Watch: What to Know About All-Inclusive Resorts Before You Go
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #3 The Quantity of Food
You might be shocked at how much you can eat at an all-inclusive resort. Yes, there are buffets and restaurants everywhere you look. They’ll even bring it to your room if you don’t feel like making it down to the restaurant.
You might also be shocked at the lack of local cuisine at an all-inclusive resort. The resorts have to cater to all tastes, so they will offer a variety of cuisines for everyone to enjoy. You might see a lot of international cuisines, such as Thai, Japanese and sushi, but no Mexican restaurant at an all-inclusive in Mexico? It’s often thrown into the American buffet, and will not at all resemble Mexican food that the locals eat. The best thing to do is ask the locals working at the resort where to get the best local food. They might even whip up a special plate for you.
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #4 Unlimited Alcohol & Watered Down Drinks
In addition to as much food as you can eat, all-inclusive resorts typically include all the alcoholic drinks you can drink. You will be shocked that, yes, they will keep serving you booze as long as you want. Obviously, you’ll see people who’ve had way too much, but it’s all included in your room rate, so people try to get their money’s worth! (See Shock #8!)
On that note, you might also be shocked at how watered down some of the drinks are. Often, the resort will have a local specialty like pina coladas or strawberry daquiris, which they’ll make in a giant pitcher. They tend to water down the drinks so they’re not too strong, but if you prefer a stronger drink, order something other than the big pitcher everyone is drinking from. Either a special cocktail made just for you, or beer which is usually pretty consistent.
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #5 Enthusiasm When You Speak the Local Language
You might be shocked at how excited the employees get when you try to speak the local language. The people really open up and will be even more friendly if they see you make an effort to speak their language. Very few tourists that come to all-inclusive resorts speak the local language, or even try, so the staff will really appreciate it. The bartenders love it, too, and may show their appreciation with a longer pour! The thing is, nearly all of the resort staff will speak working English, but to have an actual conversation beyond taking your food order may be difficult. This is a great way to get local information out of the bartenders, too.
5 Things You Will Love & Hate about All Inclusive Resorts
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #6 There’s More To See Outside of the Resort
It’s OK if you just want to chill at your all-inclusive resort for your entire trip, but there are actually lots of things to do outside of the resort as well. Ask the concierge at the resort if there are any tours you can take from the resort. This is a great way to learn some of the local culture or history. If you are in Cancun, you should take a day trip to Chichen Itza, or explore nearby islands, or take a fishing trip. The resort can easily arrange whatever kind of excursion you are looking for.
Read: What to Know Before You Book an All-Inclusive Resort
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #7 Drunk People at the Resort
You might be shocked at how drunk some tourists get at an all-inclusive resort. You will definitely see people who take the ‘all you can drink’ mantra a little too literally. When you see this, the best advice is just to avoid this kind of crowd. If you spot a situation that might escalate, it doesn’t hurt to give the bartender or the concierge a heads up before a fight breaks out, or someone gets sick. And don’t be that guy! Know your limits, even if you’re there to have a good time and relax. It can ruin your vacation and those around you.
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #8 How All-Inclusive the Resorts Really Are
You will be shocked at what all is included in your all-inclusive, especially in terms of service. The staff at an all-inclusive is all about making sure you have a good time, whether that’s drinking more, eating more or whatever makes you happy. Sometimes you have to ask for service, but once you do, they will usually go out of their way to help you. If you ever have questions about the resort, tours or activities, just ask!
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #9 Gift Shop Sticker Shock
There are two big expenses you might incur when you visit an all-inclusive resort, if you’re not careful. The first is the price of sundries like sunblock, sunglasses or hats. Sunblock that might be $5 at home can be as much as $30 at the all-inclusive gift shop. Don’t forget the little things or they will really add up! The biggest additional cost you might incur is if you lose your wristband or resort card. A lot of all-inclusive resorts use wristbands for guests to come and go, but if you lose that, you might pay up to $75 for a replacement.
All-Inclusive Resort Shock #10 All-Inclusive Resorts Are Not For Everyone
All-inclusive sounds like a great way to travel, and for many travelers, it is. There’s no worries, there’s no thinking, not a lot of planning, just go with the flow and pay one price. It’s not for everyone, though. If you want to see a lot of cultural sites, you could end up spending a lot of money on extra tours and transportation. If you prefer to explore more and see different towns during your travels, you’re pretty limited by staying at an all-inclusive resort. If you’re not a big eater, you might not get your money’s worth by staying at an all-inclusive resort. So you have to consider the pros and cons against your travel style to decide if an all-inclusive resort is right for you.
Read: What to Know Before You Visit Mexico
Read: What to Know Before You Book an All-Inclusive Resort