The cheapest all-inclusive vacations
Dreaming of a luxurious all-inclusive resort vacation but traveling on a budget? As it turns out, your bucket-list trip may be well within your price range. All-inclusive family resorts, adults-only all-inclusive resorts and even the best all-inclusive resorts don’t necessarily come with a high price tag. Cheap all-inclusive resorts are definitely a thing.
With a baker’s dozen of options for you to choose from, it’s up to you to decide which types of affordable all-inclusive resorts make the most sense for you and your family. And once you’ve sorted out where you want to travel next, be sure to familiarize yourself with our all-inclusive resort tips so you can get the most out of every joyous minute you’re staying there.
How we chose the best affordable all-inclusive resorts
We focused on resorts priced around $350 or less per night for two people. Our choices are based on expert recommendations, user reviews, star ratings and on-the-ground knowledge from within the all-inclusive travel industry. But price isn’t everything. For some of our picks, the value of the experience—whether that’s upgraded food, recently renovated rooms, more amenities or special focuses—gave it top billing over the cheapest all-inclusive hotel option.
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What are all-inclusive resorts, and why are they a good value?
The term all-inclusive resort typically means that the cost of your entire stay is covered at the price you paid when you booked the trip. Snacks, drinks, all meals, a daily program of activities, non-motorized water sports, pool and beach access and towel service—and of course, your room—are all factored into the total cost of your stay. Which is a big assist for budget-minded travelers who are keeping a close eye on their cash flow.
That said, there are always opportunities for upgrades that you will pay extra for, like a bottle of wine or spa treatments. So if you’re not sure if the price is included for something you’d like to try, be sure to ask before you book an activity.
How to get the best affordable all-inclusive resort deals
In my experience working for more than a decade in the travel industry, to get the best deal on a cheap all-inclusive vacation, the best time to book a hotel is early. Or alternatively, play chicken and see if you can score a last-minute deal. Because prices fluctuate based on demand times, prices for our selected properties might be higher during peak season (also known as high season). For instance, you will see a spike in all-inclusive resort rates as well as airfares during times when people are looking for warm winter getaways and during spring break.
On the other hand, prices below our max budget may be found during the off-season, where you might face a higher likelihood of inclement weather. While it may be tempting to snag the lowest rates of the year, remember to look at all the angles. Shoulder season is the sweet spot between pricier rates and the lower cost of the off-season.
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