10 rules for staying at all-inclusives and avoiding resort pitfalls

Wasted spring breakers. Sterno-warmed buffet trays of overcooked food. EDM from sunrise to sunset. One solitary pool of debatable cleanliness where you can’t find a lounger no matter how early you wake up.

All-inclusive horror stories aren’t hard to find—just search the reviews on Tripadvisor if you need proof. But that reputation is changing. These days, more resorts than ever are offering the chance to truly indulge yourself while saving your dignity (and foregoing the conga lines).

Finding an all-inclusive getaway that’s the stuff of dreams takes a little more work than clicking the first “Book Now” button you see. Whether you’re a first-timer, a skeptic, or have been scarred by that one spring break all-inclusive trip you took in college, read on—these 10 tips will help you be confident that you’re getting your money’s worth on your next vacation.

Don’t want to be surrounded by beer pong matches that devolve into fist fights? Speed-racks of liquor mounted on the bedroom wall not your idea of decor? You’ll need to up your budget. Truly stellar dining, free 24-hour room service, butler service, and unlimited top-shelf cocktails don’t come cheaply, but your peace of mind is worth the investment.

Skip budget all-inclusive chains like Royal Decameron and Riu and seek out upscale or luxury chains or independent resorts. Some of the nicest all-inclusive brands in Mexico and the Caribbean include Le Blanc, Excellence, TRS, Iberostar Selection, couples-only Secrets, Grand Velas, and Royalton. Standout independent resorts include Nizuc, Unico 20 87, and Atelier Playa Mujeres in the Riviera Maya, Le Sivory Punta Cana by PortBlue Boutique, and Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica.

These resorts are generally more expensive, but there are tricks to saving some money. Look for dates outside of peak season—in Mexico and the Caribbean rates skyrocket from Christmas through New Year’s Eve, as well as mid-March through mid-April. Instead, opt for November, early December, and late January through February. If you're the kind of traveler who won't be spending much time in your room and will instead use the common amenities at the resort, opt for a cheaper lower-category room—you likely won't miss the amenities or views.

Your room’s location can make or break your experience, and you’ll want to request one that’s in line with the kind of vacation you need. That means thinking about a few things when you’re booking and before you arrive.

Ask yourself the following: Do I want to be close to the restaurants, bars, and pools? Or is privacy and quiet critical? How much time do I plan to be in my room, soaking up the views or sipping a cocktail on the balcony? Am I willing to save some money by walking a bit more? How far is the gym or the beach from my room?

Much of this is hard to discern at the time of booking. In fact, resorts often scatter their inventory of one room category far and wide across their grounds, meaning two identical rooms may have drastically different settings. With that in mind, once you’ve made your booking, reach out to the hotel to request a room that’s in line with your vacation needs.

Live entertainment is not the strong suit of most all-inclusive resorts, regardless of the price point Musical reviews from decades ago or touristy cultural shows tend to make up the bulk of what’s on offer—so don’t expect Broadway-caliber shows, despite some genuinely talented performers.

Thankfully, some exceptions have emerged in recent years. CHIC Cabaret, a fixture at the TRS resorts in the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana, dials up the entertainment game with a mixture of acrobatics, choreography, excellent singing, and a seven-course gastronomic experience that’s included in rates. Hard Rock’s all-inclusive outposts in Mexico and the Caribbean likewise score high marks from travelers for their varied entertainment options.

Spa treatments are rarely included in an all-inclusive resort’s nightly rates. In fact, they can be one of the most expensive extras during your stay. Before you commit to a pricey hot-stone massage or seaweed wrap, ask for a tour of the spa facilities first or check them out on your own. (And don’t rely on a photoshopped brochure to convey the atmosphere.)

Most resorts include access to the spa’s hydrotherapy facilities as part of their rates—including saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, hot- and cold-plunge pools, and various other features. You’ll get a nice preview of the spa’s quality by checking it out during a lengthy soak.

If you don’t find the facilities up to par, you can always arrange for treatments at another hotel’s spa. Regions like Punta Cana and the Riviera Maya are home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the world, and nearly all of them allow non-guests to book treatments at their spas, so do your research.

But isn’t the point of an all-inclusive vacation to drink as many margaritas as possible? you might be asking yourself. It can be. But that’s hardly the most restful approach. Instead, consider pampering yourself in healthy ways. Think: yoga classes, cold-pressed juices, massage therapy. Wellness all-inclusives can be an incredible way to detox from your regular life. The very nature of these resorts makes them indulgent, peaceful alternatives to the all-inclusives where alcohol is the main attraction.

Miraval, in Tucson, Arizona, is easily one of the nicest wellness all-inclusives in the United States (and the world, for that matter). Packages include meals, smoothies, juices, yoga, meditation, hikes, and mountain biking courses, with a generous nightly resort credit that can be used for spa treatments. The individual casitas and desert landscapes only amplify the tranquil vibes.

Unless you’ve opted for an all-you-can-drink party resort, chances are there will be dress codes enforced in the evenings. These can range from simple rules like shirts with sleeves for men or a ban on shorts in restaurants to more formal requirements like a collared shirt or tie. Failing to do so may mean you’re limited to dining in only the most informal spots at your resort (like the cafe or sports bar), dining outside of your resort, or having to purchase overpriced clothing from the resort’s boutique.

Many of the most popular all-inclusive resorts are in destinations that get incredibly crowded at the end of December and during spring break season. This is true in Los Cabos, the Riviera Maya, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.

Most higher-end resorts have a “no spring breakers” policy in place, but mid-range and budget all-inclusives rely on those spring break dollars to keep the doors open (and enforcement around those policies can be a bit lax). Your best bet is to avoid the last two weeks of December as well as mid-March through mid-April if you’d prefer a more peaceful experience.

And don’t forget hurricane season, which runs unofficially from late May through November across the Caribbean and Mexico. While you’re likely to find cheaper deals and flights, you’ll be contending with heavy afternoon showers—or worse—on most days during this time of year.

While one joy of an all-inclusive resort is the ability to sample all different types of cuisines in one night—and the flexibility to do so—most resorts have at least one or two restaurants that require reservations. Failing to make those when you check in (or shortly thereafter) can mean waiting in long lines for a table to free up or missing out on a potentially mind-blowing meal entirely.

It can be tempting to stay inside the gates of your resort—that’s what you’ve paid for, after all—but doing so would be a big mistake. Many of the world’s nicest all-inclusives are within striking distance of truly amazing sights (and found in countries with their own fascinating cultures to explore). That includes the ancient Mayan Ruins near Cancun and Playa del Carmen; the pristine beaches of Saona Island in the Dominican Republic; and the Blue Hole or Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica.

Some resorts—like Nizuc and Unico 20 87 in the Riviera Maya—are making concerted efforts to bring the regional culture and traditions to bear on everything from decor to food and programming.

Pro tip? Book your excursions independently rather than through your hotel—you’ll often find a wider array of options and lower prices.

By nature, all-inclusive resorts are about abundance—an abundance of amenities, dining options, and experiences—all of which represent different ways to shake up your routine. Make the most of everything on offer.

Start one morning with yoga, green juice and the next with stuffed pancakes followed by a selection of too-pretty-to-eat desserts. Have evening appetizers at a Middle Eastern restaurant, main courses at the Mexican option, and drinks at the seaside bar while guitarists pluck away at some flamenco. Feel like churros or French fries in the middle of the night? Call for room service. Try Pilates. Try aerial yoga. Try zip-lining. Watch your partner try zip-lining. Opt into dance classes. Hit the gym. Swim. Sunbathe. Sleep. Don’t sleep and dance all night. Whatever you want, do it.

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