The majority of vacations I take are go, go, go. I try to see as much as I can, do as many hikes I can, and go on as many excursions I can. But once in a while, you need a trip that’s just pure relaxation! And what better way to do that than with an all inclusive trip?
An all inclusive trip is particularly nice because there’s not much else you need to book besides your stay and your flight. In order to get the most out of your trip, however, there are some things you’ll want to consider! This post outlines 7 tips to ensuring your first all inclusive trip is everything you’ve dreamed.
Planning Your All Inclusive Trip
- Do your research on the type of all inclusive resort you’d like to go to
- There are so many options to choose from. Before you can determine where you want to stay, you have to decide what kind of all inclusive trip you want to have. For example, do you want:
- An adults only resort or a family friendly one?
- A romantic getaway or a friends getaway?
- Party vibes or spa vibes?
- Island scenery or rainforest scenery?
- Two things that were crucial for us when we chose our resort were a swim up bar and that it was adults only. We stayed at Riu Republica in Punta Cana and would recommend it. The food was just passable, but the price was incredible, the ocean access was premium, and the pools and staff were to die for.
- There are so many options to choose from. Before you can determine where you want to stay, you have to decide what kind of all inclusive trip you want to have. For example, do you want:
- Look for deals!
- With the absurd amount of all inclusive options available, you can easily find a steal. We booked our trip on TripAdvisor Plus on Black Friday and it cost us about $130/person for each night. This included all food and beverages!
- Some places to check for all inclusive deals include:
- Groupon
- Costco Travel
- TripAdvisor Plus
- Resort website
- Once in a while, all inclusive resorts truly offer the best deals when you book directly through them. Always check the resort’s website before you book a 3rd party deal.
What to Bring
- Make a packing list and double and triple check it!
- You’ll likely be staying at the resort the whole time you’re on vacation. This means you won’t be able to stop at a drug store or a supermarket for anything you forgot. There will probably be a store in the resort; however, its prices will be considerably higher than you’re used to.
- Pro tip: if you suffer from allergies in the summer, make sure to pack allergy meds. When I went on my trip, it was the middle of winter and I never considered bringing allergy stuff. Boy oh boy, did I regret it once I got there.
- Bring a tumbler like a Yeti or Stanley, as well as cash for tips
- An insulated cup will keep your frozen drinks colder for much longer than the resort cups. Additionally, bringing a cup will let you get more ounces at one time, so you have to take less trips to the bar.
- Cash for tips is a crucial thing to remember! Treat the bartenders right and they’ll remember you. When there are a ton of customers around the bar, they may serve you more quickly. Waiters and waitresses who come around to pool chairs will also check in on you more often if you’re a good tipper.
Once You Arrive
- Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
- Every time you order a drink, get yourself a glass of water as well. I learned this lesson the hard way on day 1 of my all inclusive trip. Let’s just say lots of sun, lots of sugary alcoholic drinks, and a lack of water did not lead to a very fun night.
- Make any needed dinner reservations
- Some resorts have restaurants that accept reservations. If your resort is one of those, make sure you take advantage. With only so many restaurants to choose from, the best eateries will book up fast.
- Reserve your pool chairs first thing in the morning, especially if you’re traveling in a big group.
- On your way to breakfast, swing by the pool and leave your towel and some other personal items on a couple of lounge chairs. These chairs get taken pretty quickly and most people take them for the entire day. By your second or third day, you should know exactly which area is best based on sun and pool vibes.
- Make sure anything you’re leaving alone by your chairs is something you wouldn’t mind losing! For example, I usually left a bottle of sunscreen and a single book. I would have been annoyed but not seriously inconvenienced had either of those things gotten stolen.
- On your way to breakfast, swing by the pool and leave your towel and some other personal items on a couple of lounge chairs. These chairs get taken pretty quickly and most people take them for the entire day. By your second or third day, you should know exactly which area is best based on sun and pool vibes.
If you’re in need of some serious relaxation, I highly recommend an all inclusive trip. There’s something special about lazy days spent lounging without anything scheduled. I’m counting down the days until the next time I can take an all inclusive vacation.
Happy Travels!
XOXO, Mackenzie
