10 Mistakes to Avoid When Exploring How to Book an All-inclusive Vacation

Vacations are meant to improve your life, not add stress and hassle. Going the all-inclusive route can be the perfect solution to ensure a smooth trip, but only if you do it right. If you've never done the booking yourself, you may have a lot of questions about the process, and there are a lot of misconceptions. For example, all-inclusive resorts don't usually include the cost of your flights to the destination in the price, but they may include transfer from the airport.

Some of the most common vacation booking mistakes are easy to avoid if you do your research, so take it from us — these are the things you should never do when booking an all-inclusive vacation.

1. Underestimating Pay-As-You-Go Prices

Even when you know it's all-inclusive, that doesn't mean the price won't give you sticker shock. You might think that you're not going to eat or drink enough to get your money's worth, but bear in mind you don't yet know what the pay-as-you-go price is and often at resorts, food is way more expensive than you would think. For example, an appetizer you'd expect to be $10 might cost $25 at an all-inclusive resort, and drinks that are normally $15 might start at $30. Because of the typically inflated prices at all-inclusive resorts, it's easier than you think to make the all-inclusive price worth it.

2. Overdoing It

You may feel pressured to eat and drink more than you normally would because it's included, but there's no rule that says you have to try every item on the menu. Getting your money's worth is understandable, but if it comes at the price of consuming to the point of discomfort or illness, it's not worth it. The question of how much is too much is a personal one, and each individual will usually know and set their own limits. If there's room for dessert, go for it. If not, you can always come back for it next time.

3. Not Checking the Vibe

Each resort has its own personality and draws a particular kind of guest. Some of these are easy to spot. Sleeker and more sophisticated resorts might be officially adults-only, while others may attract families with numerous waterslides and daycare programs. If you want to get a sense of what kind of resort it is and what the crowd will be like, take a look at the amenities and scheduled events. Judging by the music playlist alone, it's pretty easy to tell the difference between a resort that draws more boomers versus one that brings in the millennials.

4. Assuming Everything Is Included

You might assume that when booking an all-inclusive, everything pertaining to your trip is included, from airfare and land transfers to tips, gratuity, activities, amenities, and more. However, all-inclusive rates can vary widely in what they cover; yours might include accommodations and food only, or it might include alcoholic drinks but no tips, which are expected. Flights from your home airport to your destination are usually not included, but if the resort is remote and luxurious enough, it might have its own planes for guests to arrive in style. Don't assume that once you book and pay for your all-inclusive trip, you can close your wallet. There might be additional aspects of your trip that you still need to plan — and purchase.

5. Ignoring the Fine Print

Whatever you do, don't ignore the fine print when booking an all-inclusive vacation. Read it word for word, and then read it again. You may be surprised to find that the all-inclusive package doesn't include taxes or gratuities, which can add up to thousands of dollars. Conversely, you may discover that airport transfers are included when you were thinking you had to book your own transportation. Either way, it's important for you to be aware of what you're agreeing to, what you're paying for, and what your rate doesn't cover. You'll also want to check out the refund or cancellation policies, in case your trip is interrupted or postponed.

6. Blowing Your Budget

Setting a budget is important in protecting your finances and keeping yourself within the bounds of what's reasonable for your situation. It can be easy to convince yourself that super-expensive package is worth the splurge. If you're uncomfortable paying a certain price or have to dig into savings (or, worse, go into debt) to make it happen, don't do it, as you're only setting yourself up for disappointment all vacation long. Every pitfall and imperfection of the trip will make you bitter and resentful over the money you shelled out and shouldn't have. In addition, while it might be tempting to splurge on amenities not included in the rate, especially since you've paid a price up front, be wary, as those extras can add up quickly and lead to an inflated bill at the end of your stay.

7. Staying on the Property the Whole Time

Perhaps the biggest downside of an all-inclusive vacation is that it can be limiting, encouraging travelers to stay within the bounds of what is included. This can mean never leaving the property, never trying a local restaurant with authentic food, or never spending money on local excursions and activities. Not only will this make for a bland, one-dimensional experience, but it can also be harmful to the destination. It may be tempting to avoid spending money outside of what you paid for the resort, but failing to budget and plan for food, activities, and experiences outside of the all-inclusive package will result in a trip that's not as fulfilling, enriching, or exciting.

8. Paying for Amenities You Won’t Use

Your resort may have different all-inclusive packages available with a variety of amenities on offer, but don't pay for things you won't use. For example, if you're going on vacation and you don't drink alcohol, or you're sticking to a diet of fish and salads, a top-of-the-line package with nightly steak and wine pairings would be entirely unnecessary. You may be paying for spa services when you'd rather spend all your time at the beach. In that case, consider a lower-tier package, or opt to go the traditional à la carte vacation route.

9. Neglecting to Take Full Advantage of What’s Included

This may be obvious, but you're paying a higher price for an all-inclusive vacation for a reason: There's a lot included. Educate yourself on what exactly the resort includes in the rate, and plan to take full advantage of it (think: poolside piña colada deliveries, sailing lessons, snorkel gear, private island cabanas, and perhaps even spa access). Living in the lap of luxury is all the more restorative when you can indulge all of your whims and don't have to pay one penny extra for it.

10. Eating Only Familiar Foods

The beauty of an all-inclusive is that you're free to eat and drink whatever and whenever you please. Don't pass up the opportunity to sample dishes that are new to you — after all, it's included! All-inclusives typically have buffets or restaurants with a wide variety of food on offer, and all of it is available at no additional cost to you. Instead of sticking with your favorite foods or usual combinations, venture out of your comfort zone and try something new. If you don't like it, no loss; you can pick something else.