Resort Beverage Limits: What You Can Really Drink at All-Inclusive Hotels

When you book an all-inclusive resort, a vacation package where meals, drinks, and activities are covered in one price. Also known as all-inclusive hotels, these places promise freedom—no worrying about bills, no counting coins at the bar. But here’s the catch: resort beverage limits, the unspoken rules on how much alcohol you can actually consume are everywhere, even if they’re not written on the menu.

Most guests assume "unlimited drinks" means endless cocktails, beer, and wine. But the truth? Resorts quietly control intake. Some cap you at six drinks a day—not because of law, but because of cost. Others don’t count drinks by number, but by time: no more than one per hour. A few even track your consumption with wristbands or digital logs. This isn’t about being stingy—it’s about keeping the system running. If everyone drank freely, the resort would lose money, raise prices, or cut quality. You don’t want that either.

It’s not just about alcohol. drink limits, apply to premium spirits, imported beers, and even specialty coffee. Basic drinks? Usually fine. Top-shelf liquor? Often extra. Some resorts let you order unlimited soft drinks, but charge for fresh-squeezed orange juice. And don’t assume your kids’ free meals mean free soda for adults—those rules are separate. The alcohol policy, a set of guidelines that vary by resort, location, and even season isn’t always posted. You have to ask. Or better yet, read reviews from people who’ve been there.

Why does this matter? Because your vacation shouldn’t feel like a prison sentence with a cocktail. If you’re planning to sip slowly, enjoy a few drinks with dinner, and call it a night, you’ll be fine. But if you’re hoping to party all day, you’ll hit walls you didn’t know existed. The resorts know this. That’s why they sell drink packages for heavy drinkers—extra cash, but clear limits. It’s fairer than pretending everything’s unlimited.

And here’s something most guides won’t tell you: the staff notice who drinks too much. They don’t always stop you—but they might stop serving you, or quietly downgrade your drink choices. They’re not being mean. They’re protecting the experience—for you, for others, and for themselves. Tipping them won’t erase the rules, but it might get you a little more flexibility. Not because they break policy, but because they remember you.

Below, you’ll find real stories from guests who hit these limits, broke them, or learned how to work around them. You’ll see how resorts hide their rules in fine print, what actually counts as a "drink," and why the six-drink myth sticks around. Whether you’re planning a quiet getaway or a wild weekend, knowing these limits means you won’t be surprised when your third margarita gets a polite "I’m sorry, we’re out of that brand."