Advantages and Disadvantages of Inclusive Family Vacations

There are many advantages of all inclusive family vacations. The main one is you never have to ask yourself, “How much will this cost?” when your kids want more drinks, or activities. Not having to pull out your wallet or sign your bill 6 times a day adds to your piece of mind and enables you to truly relax and enjoy your family beach vacation.

Some all inclusive family resorts offer kids free accommodation when staying in parents’ room; kids typically pay a rate that’s a fraction of an adult’s price. Be sure to check when you are traveling with more than two children and the special rates may only apply to two children.

Another advantage, depending on your destination, can be the security of staying at an all inclusive family resort. There are some destinations that make families uncomfortable whether or not they are safe once you leave the resort grounds. In those instances, an all-inclusive resort is an ideal choice.

It allows you to have all of your meals, entertainment and activities in one spot, and while you won’t be “exploring the culture” of the destination, you’ll have a worry-free vacation.

There are of course some things to watch out for when looking for you all inclusive family vacation. It is important to find out detailed information about the kids programs. Some are better than others and will have different hours of operation, activities, age ranges and supervision. Make sure to pick a resort that will have a program suitable for the kids in your family.

Traveling with very young children and teenagers also requires special consideration as each age group has special requirements and so you want to make sure that accommodation and activities are geared to these age groups. For example, it may be important to have a kid’s wading pool or a room with a fridge when traveling with toddlers.

Meanwhile, with older kids, try to get a room that is more central so they can have some independence. With teens, review available activities with them so they know what to expect and can let you upfront if they will enjoy the program.

Some more questions answered:

Is An All Inclusive Worth it If you Don’t Drink Alcohol?

Yes, all–inclusive vacations are worth the money even if you don’t drink alcohol. Cost savings can range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars for a 7 night trip for the family, depending on the destination.

Do I need to Bring Any Cash?

For a one-week stay at an all-inclusive resort, a family should budget to spend about $150 US (or the local currency equivalent) total in tips and perhaps buying something on the beach. Bring smaller bills.

Should I Bring My Own Beach Towels?

No need to bring a towel as you will get a full restock the room towels daily. Also you don’t need to bring one on the beach or pool either. Resorts usually provide clients with a towel key/card which allows you to get as fresh towels as desired.

Do I Have to Tip at the Restaurants?

Some all–inclusive resorts have a no-tipping policy, but it never hurts to give a few extra dollars to those who go above and beyond to make your stay special.

Does the Price Include My Flights?

Technically an all inclusive vacation is one where you pay one price up front that includes flights/all transportation, accommodations, meals, drinks and activities.

When is the Cheapest Day to Book?

The cheapest day is the day that flights are the most inexpensive as flight makes up most of the cost of your vacation. This means the best time is Tuesday noon or Wednesday as these are historically the cheapest days.

What Should I Pack?

Pack as you would for any vacation. Most all-inclusive resorts have a casual dress code with the most strict dress code being for dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, a collared (golf) shirt and a pair of slacks for men and slacks and a shirt or a summer dress for women.

Are All the Resorts Pretty Much the Same?

Not all all-inclusive resorts are the same. If you go for a cheap all-inclusive resort, you’re liable to get poor service, watered-down drinks. If you pay a little more for a nicer all-inclusive, it will show in the quality of service, food and activities.

How Do I Choose the Best Resort for My Family?

Do you like the beach? Are you looking for some R&R? First think about the vacation experience you really want and then you can begin to narrow down resorts by their offerings. Remember, each particular resort will offer its own unique mix of products and services. Some tips to think about:

Look for the activities that are included … or NOT included – do you want golf or scuba diving? Some resorts have that included
Check dining options – casual, upscale, do they require reservations, how early do the resort’s restaurants open and how late do they stay open
Is the resort kid-friendly? Do they have lots of things for kids to do? A waterpark? A Kids Club?
Ask about a tipping policy for resort staff – they can vary greatly by resort and/or by country

What Countries Have All Inclusive Resorts?

All-Inclusive resorts are common throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and in South and Central America. Popular destinations include Riviera Maya, Los Cabos and the Vallarta area in Mexico, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica’s Montego Bay. You’ll also find many resorts offering all-inclusive stays throughout Brazil and in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

According to Tripadvisor.com – these are the top beach vacations in the Caribbean

Also be sure to have a look at the Top 10 Family Vacation Resorts we recommend for families.

Find out more About All Inclusive Family Vacations

Finding the Best All Inclusive Family Vacation
All inclusive family vacations means that your airfare, hotel, meals and activities are included in the cost of your trip. However, there is no standard industry definition for the term “all-inclusive”.

Top Resorts for Family of Five or more…
Traveling with many people? Best Family Beach Vacations has compiled this list of beach resorts that will accept up to three children with two adults in one room.

Is an all inclusive resort right for you?
All-inclusive resorts can really help vacationers get the most out of their travel dollars. Today, over 400 hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico are either all-inclusive resorts or offer all inclusive packages.

All Inlcusive Deals:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Inclusive Family Vacations

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Travelon Jo

Travelon Jo is a mom and travel blogger who believes that taking your kids travelling is one of the best things you can do for them. As a former travel agent, she knows all about the ins and outs of planning a trip, and loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge with others.