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Key Differences
People ask if you can live at an all-inclusive resort like it’s an apartment. The short answer? Yes. But it’s not as simple as signing a lease and moving in with your couch. Some folks do it-full-time, year-round. They’re not tourists. They’re residents. And their lives look nothing like the glossy brochures.
What Does Living at an All-Inclusive Actually Mean?
An all-inclusive resort isn’t just a place you stay for a week. It’s a self-contained world: rooms, meals, drinks, activities, even Wi-Fi and laundry, wrapped into one daily rate. For a few weeks, it’s paradise. For a year? It becomes your entire life.
There are places-mostly in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and parts of Thailand-that openly welcome long-term guests. Some even offer monthly rates that drop by 30% to 50% compared to nightly pricing. At the Grand Palladium in Punta Cana, for example, you can pay $2,800 a month for a one-bedroom suite, all meals included, unlimited drinks, and access to five restaurants and three pools. That’s less than rent in many U.S. cities.
But here’s the catch: you’re not renting a home. You’re renting a hotel room. That means no kitchen. No laundry machine you can use whenever. No mailbox. No privacy. Staff know your name, your coffee order, and what time you come back from the beach. You’re always on display.
Who Actually Lives This Way?
It’s not just retirees with pensions. You’ll find digital nomads working from beachside cabanas, couples escaping cold winters, and even families who moved their kids into resort schools. One woman I spoke to-Lisa, 62, from Ohio-lives at the Secrets Akumal in Mexico. She moved there after her husband passed. "I didn’t want to be alone in a house," she told me. "Here, there’s always someone to have lunch with. The staff bring me soup when I’m sick. It’s not lonely."
Then there’s the younger crowd. Jake, 29, works remotely as a web developer. He’s been at the Moon Palace in Cancún for 11 months. "I pay $2,200 a month. My old apartment in Chicago cost $2,500 and I had to buy groceries, pay for internet, and fix the AC. Here, I get three meals a day, a gym, yoga classes, and a pool. I’m healthier. I’m happier."
These aren’t outliers. Resorts like the RIU and Barceló chains have dedicated long-term guest programs. They offer extended-stay discounts, monthly housekeeping upgrades, and even dedicated check-in desks. Some let you keep your room for months without having to check out and back in.
The Hidden Costs You Won’t See on the Brochure
It sounds too good to be true. And in some ways, it is.
First, you can’t cook. No matter how much you miss your morning eggs or your evening curry, you’re stuck with what’s on the menu. Most resorts offer buffet-style meals, and while they rotate dishes, you’ll get tired of the same grilled chicken and rice after 80 days. Some places have à la carte restaurants, but those cost extra-$20 to $40 per person, even if you’re a long-term guest.
Second, there’s no real privacy. Housekeeping comes in daily. Staff enter your room without knocking if the door is open. You can’t lock your door with a deadbolt. Many rooms only have a latch. You’re always within earshot of someone else’s laughter, music, or arguments.
Third, you’re trapped by the schedule. Breakfast is 7 to 10 a.m. Dinner is 6 to 9 p.m. If you want to eat at 11 p.m.? You’re out of luck. No 24-hour snack bar. No midnight pizza delivery. You adapt-or you go hungry.
And then there’s the social pressure. Resorts are designed to be fun, loud, and full of energy. But what if you’re introverted? What if you just want to read a book in silence? You’ll feel guilty for not joining the trivia night or the salsa class. Everyone else seems to be having the time of their life. You start wondering if you’re broken.
What You Can’t Get Anywhere Else
Still, there are perks you won’t find in a regular apartment.
Healthcare access? Some resorts have on-site clinics. In Mexico, resorts like the Iberostar Paraiso chain partner with local doctors who come in weekly. For minor issues-stomach bugs, sunburn, allergies-you don’t need to find a pharmacy or wait in an ER.
Activities? Daily yoga, snorkeling trips, cooking demos, beach cleanups, live music. All included. No sign-up fees. No membership cards. You just show up.
And the maintenance? Zero. No broken pipes. No leaky roofs. No mold in the bathroom. If something’s wrong, you call the front desk. Someone shows up within an hour. You don’t have to deal with contractors, landlords, or repairmen.
One woman I met, Maria, 58, from Canada, moved to the Secrets Resort in Riviera Maya after her house flooded. "I lost everything. The resort let me stay for six months while I figured things out. I didn’t have to pay a cent for repairs. I just slept, ate, and breathed. It saved me."
Is It Legal? Can You Really Stay Forever?
Legally, you’re a guest, not a tenant. That means the resort can ask you to leave with 30 days’ notice-no court, no lease violation, no eviction process. They don’t have to follow housing laws. You have no rights as a renter.
Some people stay for years. But most don’t. The average stay is 6 to 9 months. After that, people get restless. They miss their families. They miss grocery stores. They miss the quiet of their own neighborhood. One man, Dave, stayed for 14 months at the Moon Palace. "I loved it," he said. "But I missed my dog. And I missed walking to the corner store for milk. I realized I didn’t want to live in a bubble."
Also, visas matter. In Mexico, tourists can stay up to 180 days per entry. To stay longer, you need to leave the country and re-enter. Some people fly to Belize for a weekend every 5 months. Others apply for a temporary resident visa-which costs $400 and requires proof of income. It’s doable, but it’s paperwork.
Who Should Try It? Who Should Avoid It?
You should consider living at an all-inclusive if:
- You work remotely and don’t need a quiet space
- You’re retired and want social interaction without the hassle of home maintenance
- You’re escaping harsh winters or expensive cities
- You’re okay with routine and don’t mind being part of a crowd
- You’re not attached to cooking, personal space, or privacy
You should avoid it if:
- You need a kitchen or storage space
- You value silence and solitude
- You have young kids who need a backyard or school nearby
- You’re uncomfortable with constant service and attention
- You’re planning to stay more than a year-visa rules get complicated
How to Start If You’re Curious
Don’t jump in. Test it first.
Book a 30-day stay. Pick a resort with a long-term guest program. Ask if they offer monthly rates. Talk to current residents. Ask them: "What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before you moved in?"
Some resorts even let you do a "trial month"-pay for 30 days, and if you decide to stay longer, they’ll apply that payment toward your next month. That’s how Lisa started. "I thought I’d hate it," she said. "Turns out, I didn’t want to leave."
Bring your own pillow. Pack light. Bring a good book. And don’t expect to be alone. You’ll be surrounded by people-and that’s the point. Whether that’s your dream or your nightmare? That’s up to you.
Can you really live at an all-inclusive resort year-round?
Yes, many people do. Resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Thailand offer monthly rates that make long-term stays affordable. But you’re a guest, not a tenant, so you don’t have the same legal protections as a renter. You can be asked to leave with 30 days’ notice.
Is living at an all-inclusive cheaper than renting an apartment?
In many cases, yes. A one-bedroom suite at a resort like Grand Palladium costs around $2,800/month with meals, drinks, and activities included. In cities like Chicago or Toronto, rent alone for a similar space can be $2,500-$3,000, not counting groceries, utilities, internet, or maintenance. But you lose privacy, cooking options, and personal space.
Do all-inclusive resorts allow pets?
Almost never. Most resorts have strict no-pet policies, even for service animals. If you have a pet, living full-time at an all-inclusive isn’t realistic. Some places allow pets for short stays, but not for long-term residency.
Can you work remotely at an all-inclusive resort?
Yes, and many do. Wi-Fi is usually free and reliable, and quiet areas like business centers or beachside cabanas are common. But noise levels vary. If your job needs total silence, you’ll need to book a room away from pools and entertainment zones. Some resorts even offer co-working spaces with printers and meeting rooms.
What happens if you get sick while living at an all-inclusive?
Most large resorts have on-site medical clinics staffed by nurses and doctors who visit regularly. Minor issues like stomach bugs, sunburn, or allergies are handled quickly. For serious emergencies, you’ll be transported to a nearby hospital. But insurance is your responsibility-resorts don’t cover medical costs.
Do you need a visa to live at an all-inclusive resort long-term?
It depends on the country. In Mexico, tourists can stay up to 180 days per entry. To stay longer, you must leave and re-enter, or apply for a temporary resident visa, which requires proof of income and costs about $400. Other countries have different rules. Always check immigration policies before committing.
Are there any downsides to living at an all-inclusive?
Yes. You lose privacy, independence, and personal space. You can’t cook your own meals. Housekeeping comes daily. You’re always around people. The food gets repetitive. And you’re subject to the resort’s rules-not your own. It’s not a home. It’s a lifestyle.
If you’re thinking about living at an all-inclusive, don’t imagine it as a vacation. Imagine it as a different kind of life-one with no bills, no chores, and no silence. It’s not for everyone. But for the right person? It’s the only way to live.