An All-Inclusive resort vacation sounds like a dream! White sand beaches. Great service. Delicious food. Everything you could need is at your fingertips. To keep that dream from turning into a nightmare, make sure to avoid these costly mistakes.
1. Choosing the wrong resort
While all-inclusive resorts vary widely based on service, food, amenities, and activities, the biggest considerations are location, theme, and guest demographics. It’s important to have a clear picture of what you want and do your research from that lens. Each resort has its own unique selling point. Not all Adults Only resorts are the same, some are geared towards romance and others have a more upbeat and party vibe. The same can be said about Family Friendly resorts- some resorts are more laid back, whereas others are more energetic and can be a booming with activity.
2. Overindulging
Just because you can eat three pounds of prime rib and a gallon of ice cream doesn’t mean you should. The same goes for trying every specialty drink on the menu. Use moderation in what you eat and drink as you want to both enjoy and remember your vacation. With that said, don’t forget to stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water, and consider bringing an electrolyte drink mix, like Liquid IV. Chances are you will be in the hot sun more than you are used to, and staying hydrated will be extremely important.
3. Staying at the resort the entire time
Get out of your comfort zone! Most all-inclusive resorts are in a specific destination because of the beauty and culture, so plan an excursion to explore the area. Ask your travel advisor what they recommend, and try to do something that is unique and local to the area you are staying in.
We had a lot of fun exploring the cenotes with
Living Dreams Mexico.
Read more about the experience here
4. Not getting to know the staff
Learning the staff members’ names and a smile will go a long way toward making your vacation more enjoyable. Staff members who feel “seen” often go out of their way to help the people with whom they make a connection. This can be especially helpful if something goes wrong and you need a little extra help.
5. Staying “plugged in”
It’s time to put the phone down and turn the computer off. Remember your motivation for planning your vacation, and be fully present in the moment.
We would be remiss if we didn’t share what we think is the most important mistake to avoid: Skipping Travel Insurance! Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. For instance, this year, a resort closed unexpectedly, due to a fire in the basement. They were closed for 2 months to repair the damages. I had clients whose honeymoon was in the middle of the two month closure. Thankfully, they had travel insurance and we were able to re-book their honeymoon at another incredible resort. Had they declined the insurance, they only would have been reimbursed for the resort portion of their honeymoon.
Another reason I always advice my travelers get the insurance is because your medical insurance doesn’t cover you once you are off American soil. If anything happens to you, while you are traveling you need to be the insurance. Without it, you’re not covered in case of a medical emergency. Trust me. Get travel insurance!
Ready to turn your all-inclusive daydream into reality? Click the link below and let’s start planning your trip today!
