Imagine a vacation where all you need is right at your feet. Beautiful beaches, unlimited food and beverages, and tons of entertainment. Sounds great right?
Although an all inclusive doesn’t offer that fast-paced “see the most you can” type of vacation, its a great way to unwind and enjoy a getaway- especially if you’re on a budget. Depending on the location, a decent all inclusive vacation package can cost around $1600 including airfare and guarantee that you come home spending no more than you planned. Plus, with tons of add-on packages you can still enjoy a luxurious trip if this is what you are seeking.
Whether traveling with friends, family or as a couple, finding the right all inclusive can be overwhelming. To save you some time, we’ve provided some information you need to look out for before picking a resort.
1- Traveler photos unmask the true grounds of the resort. Don’t rely on company pictures.
When looking at the facilities and accommodation pictures, don’t get carried away by the flawless photos. Often companies will take a photo of a newly renovated suite when the building is mostly un-renovated or glorify the photos by using lighting and angle techniques. To unveil the true nature of the resort visit tripadvisor.com, enter the resort name in the search button and browse traveler photos. These are more likely to more accurately display the vacation spot.
2- Check what your package includes! Beware of resorts offering preferred and standard.
Some resorts have areas that are only available to those who have booked a preferred (and more expensive) package. Given this, the 10 restaurants and 5 pools that you read online may not all be accessible if you are booking the regular all inclusive package. To avoid disappointment, be sure to read your accessibilities carefully!
3- Usually, booking an all inclusive package that includes flight is less expensive than booking the resort and then your flights seperately.
Be sure to check out www.cheapcaribbean.com, www.redtag.ca and other travel sites for complete available packages.
4- Don’t forget the taxes!
Found the perfect resort, clicked book and then saw tons of added taxes? Yikes! Be sure to keep taxes in mind when browsing for a vacation. Resorts often end up costing an extra $400 AFTER tax and usually the pre-tax low price is the one advertised.