We have stayed at a lot of all-inclusive hotels. They all vary, especially when it comes to rooms, closet storage, food, activities, and amenities. Some of these tips may seem a bit much for a 3-night stay but if you are on vacation for 5 or more nights these extra items will be useful. To plan the perfect all-inclusive vacation, take note of these 5 essential tips for an all-inclusive vacation.
5 Essential Tips for an all-inclusive vacation
When planning an all-inclusive vacation, doing your research is key to finding a resort that fits your needs and preferences. Look for packages that include activities and extra perks to maximize your experience and get the best value for your money. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and clarify any details before booking to avoid surprises. And while it’s easy to stay within the comfort of the resort, be sure to explore off-site excursions to immerse yourself in the local culture and breathtaking scenery. Happy travels!
Book Excursions in Advance
I always suggest clients book their excursion before they arrive in the destination. The last thing you want to do is spend time trying to decide and then book an excursion, missing out on prime beach time. I recommend several companies and use them myself. We used Ocean Tours for our Whale Shark excursion last month.
Bring Insulated Drink Cups
Several years ago, we began taking our insulated cups with us when we travel. I personally like having two cups – one Yeti for water that has a screw-on lid to keep it cold, and a smaller one for other drinks. I tend to avoid using them for frozen drinks since they’re difficult to drink and clean afterward. However, I enjoy using them for beverages like Jack and Coke or Ranch Water.
Tipping at an all-inclusive resort
I’m unsure why tipping seems so controversial. I get this question a lot. Do you tip? Yes, and so should you! There are very few resorts that say “no tipping”. Sandals may be one of the only ones I can think of right now. We take lots of one’s and five’s. We also take some 10’s and 20’s. This is based on me and my husband traveling, just two adults. Adjust accordingly.
- We tip bartenders out by the pool or at the swim-up bar $1 per drink. If they are delivering and bringing water as well then we tip $3-$5.
- Breakfast and lunch are $3-$5, even in the buffet.
- For dinner, we tip $10-20 for sit-down service, this is at your discretion based on service.
- We do private airport transfers, the driver gets $20, and he’s also handling our bags.
- At the resort, baggage handlers are getting $2-$3 per bag.
- We usually leave $5 per day on the bed when we leave the room, that’s for housekeeping. We also leave $3-5 by the fridge, that’s a different person re-stocking.
- If you have a butler or concierge you need to consider gratuities for them as well.
Pack a Shoe Rack for Extra Storage Space
This may sound weird, but I started using the over-door shoe racks on cruises for extra storage years ago. It worked great! Recently I started taking it on our trips to all-inclusive resorts as well. Besides the obvious shoe storage, I put sunblock, hair brushes, hair products (thank you curls), a first aid kit, glasses, contacts, and anything that could be out of the way instead of on the counter.
Not all hotels have ample counter storage in the bathroom and almost none have drawer space in the bathroom. This helps to keep items in one place, you just grab what you need. Many resorts have glass doors to the bathroom or it is open concept. You can also hang this on the closet rod next to your clothes if needed.
Apple AirTag (or similar)
I came across a post discussing the use of air tags for tracking luggage during air travel. As an avid Apple user, I can only share my experience with the Apple AirTags. We purchased a pack of four, and I used three for my checked bags and one for my carry-on. Initially, it took me a few minutes to label and differentiate them, but it was easy to use once I figured it out. Upon arrival in Cancun, I opened the “Find My” app on my iPhone and saw that all three checked bags were on the ground. Though it doesn’t specify when the bags will be available for pick up, it provides peace of mind that they made it to the destination. The air tags can also track laptop bags, school bags, and other personal belongings for daily use.
Are you ready to book your next all-inclusive vacation?
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