Sun, sand & 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/new 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.
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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 flavours.
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 (3 meals a day vs. European 2 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.
Be captivated with amazing Mexico luxury resort hotels for an indulging vacation.
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 travellers. 2* hotels are good if you aren’t too picky and are going to spend most of your time at the beach. 3* accommodations and up are better for those who easily get squeamish about dirty rooms. 4* rooms are great for honeymoons, romantic getaways, or those who are looking for great quality service and hospitality. Trustworthy chains to consider include: Barcelo, Iberostar, RIU, Bahia Principe and Sandals. Don’t forget to research online about resorts to get other travellers’ reviews and comments.
Resorts for families, romantic getaways and adults-only: While most resorts and hotels will advertise themselves as a great place for everybody – whether it be kids, families, couples, honeymooners, or adults – this may not be the case. Some are better suited for families, others students and the spring break crowd, while some are for adults only. While some vacationers don’t mind being mixed up in a varied crowd, others would rather be amongst an older crowd. To find the “right” resort for you, the best way is to ask a travel agent who knows the resorts intensively or ask friends about their past resort experiences and recommendations.
Looking to book an all-inclusive vacation to a Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico or the Caribbean? Check out the tripatlas.com/new Trip Builder where you can request a quote from over 104,000 travel agents who are ready to offer you the best prices on your trip.