Sun, sand, and surf. As the weather gets chilly, most of us start to think about where to go to escape the cold winter weather and get some much needed Vitamin D.
TripAtlas.com is bringing you seven tips on what you need to know when you book an all-inclusive vacation, what to watch out for, how to decide where to go, how much to spend, which resorts to choose, and more.
Tips on how to book an all-inclusive vacation or holiday!
Where do you want to go?
The most common destinations for all-inclusive holidays are in and around the Caribbean. Places like Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic are staples for being great for fun and value. Islands like Jamaica, Aruba, St. Lucia, Bahamas, and etc. can be a bit more expensive but are worth the extra change for true island flavors.
When do you want to go?
Most people think about visiting sun destinations and all-inclusive vacations when the weather begins to get cool. Students and families tend to vacation during the winter Christmas/New Year’s holiday, spring break, March Break or reading week holidays. If you’re not picky about going at a certain time, book your vacation before or after these busy periods for better deals—and so you won’t have to fight for beach chairs.
Last-minute vacation deals
It can be a bit tricky getting a last minute deal. If you wait too long, you might miss out on a vacation altogether if places get booked up or you might not get what you want. If you book when everyone else is booking, then you might pay more. Here’s a tip: be flexible with your time and type of accommodations for the best results. Find out more: Last Minute Travel Deals: Make Sure You’re Actually Getting One!
What do all-inclusives include?
Although they’re known as “all inclusive resorts” some of these don’t actually include “all” that you need—and it’s up to you to read the fine print. Be sure to look into whether these are or are not included: air, airport transfers, accommodations, meals (three meals a day vs. European two meals a day, breakfast only, etc), drinks (regular, coffee, alcohol, etc), entertainment, clubs for kids, and activities. Side-trips or excursions, gratuities and taxes are usually not included.
Decide on a budget
No matter what time of the year, there are great deals to be had for all-inclusive holidays. You can probably get away with paying around $500-750 for decent 2-3* accommodations but if you throw in a little extra, you could get great 3-4* accommodations that include transportation, meals, activities, and more for around $750-$1000. Prices usually go near and upwards of $1000 during winter holiday season while it can get pretty cheap during low season—just watch out for rain and hurricanes.
What kind of accommodations do you prefer?
There are hundreds of resorts, hotels, cabanas, apartment-style flats, and guest homes available for travelers.
