All-Inclusive Resorts: What’s Really Included and Who It’s Really For

When you hear all-inclusive, a vacation package where meals, drinks, and often activities are covered in one upfront price. Also known as all-inclusive resorts, it’s designed to remove the stress of budgeting day-to-day expenses while you’re away. But here’s the truth: not all all-inclusive deals are built the same. Some are genuine value grabs. Others? They’re traps wrapped in palm trees and unlimited cocktails.

What’s actually included? It depends. At a basic level, you get three meals a day, basic drinks (often soft drinks, local beer, and house wine), and maybe a few snacks. But the real question is: what’s not included? Premium alcohol, off-site excursions, spa treatments, and even some restaurants within the resort often cost extra. And yes, unlimited drinks, a common selling point at all-inclusive resorts. Also known as all-inclusive drink packages, it’s rarely truly unlimited—most resorts quietly cap daily alcohol servings, often around 6 to 10 drinks, even if they don’t say it outright. Then there’s tipping housekeeping, a practice that’s not required but deeply expected. Also known as resort tipping etiquette, it’s not about being generous—it’s about survival. Staff wages are often so low that tips make up most of their income. Skip it, and you’re not saving money—you’re hurting people who clean your room, refill your towels, and make sure your stay feels seamless.

People think all-inclusive means no thinking. But it’s the opposite. You still need to ask questions: Is the food fresh or frozen? Are the drinks diluted? Are the activities just group games or real experiences? Some resorts offer beach access, others just a patch of sand behind a fence. And if you’re planning to live there long-term? That’s a whole other layer—legal limits, monthly fees, and the slow erosion of freedom that comes with living inside a resort bubble.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some travelers love the predictability. Others feel trapped by the lack of local flavor. The posts below break down exactly what you get, what you don’t, and who should—or shouldn’t—choose this kind of vacation. Whether you’re wondering if six drinks a day is really the limit, if you should tip at all-inclusive hotels, or if these packages actually save you money, you’ll find real answers here—not marketing fluff.