How To Plan A Cheap All-Inclusive Vacation With No Regrets

Last Updated on September 20, 2022 by Rose Morah

If you are planning an all-inclusive vacation on a budget, the following tips will help you plan the right way.

This article has covered the planning aspects of a cheap all-inclusive vacation.

1. Have an estimated budget

You need to have an estimated budget for your vacation.

This will save you from the financial hangovers that may likely hit you after you get back from your vacation. 

A study has shown that over 65% of people go into debt after a holiday vacation.

Most of these leisure travelers put nearly half of their spending on credit cards. 

In another recent online poll that targeted parents who had been on all-inclusive vacations with kids, over 70% of parents spent more than they had budgeted or could afford.

Additionally, out of the travelers who went into debt the previous year, nearly 30% of them are still paying off their debts a year later.

The good thing about an all-inclusive vacation is that you can easily estimate your costs.

Related:

How to find cheap all-inclusive vacation deals.

How to Get Cheap Hotel Rates Last Minute.

2. Know your vacation expectations

There are countless worthwhile travel destinations around the world.

Figuring where to go for an all-inclusive vacation can therefore be quite overwhelming. 

But you could start by figuring out what you will like to accomplish and what’s important for you.

This can help you determine the best travel destination for your vacation.

Here is an easy way of figuring out where you want to go for your all-inclusive trip:

1. Determine three things that matter to you.
2. Think of how you plan on spending your holiday vacation.

You may also like How To Plan A Trip To Europe On A Budget (10 Top Tips).

3. Finding your vacation resort

One of the key things to consider when choosing a resort is the resort-style

When it comes to resort-style, there are two types of resorts:

• Adults-only resorts
• Those that have families in mind

Most Adult-only resorts will only allow up to a certain number of people in a room.

On the other hand, family all-inclusive resorts allow a larger number in one room because they have the standard capacity to accommodate larger families.

They also have suite-sized rooms which are great for families with small children.

Therefore, it is vital to find out this before booking to avoid paying for unplanned extra rooms.

Quick Tips: 1. If you plan a couple’s all-inclusive vacation, stay away from all-inclusive resorts with families in mind. Kids running around, crying, and screaming will most probably ruin your vacation. 2. If your ideal vacation involves making new friends and meeting people, consider staying away from the couple’s only resorts. Instead, you could consider alternative resorts with good nightlife and those that are not far from the city.

See the Fun Things To Do in Palm Springs At Night.

4. Do proper price research

Before settling down on a particular all-inclusive package, do proper research.

Do your analysis well when comparing the packages and checking out any available discount coupon codes.

5. When to go on a vacation

When planning an all-inclusive vacation, there are two key things that you need to consider before you decide when to go:

1. The weather

Weather can quickly ruin a well-planned vacation.

It is important to know the best time of the year to go on a vacation based on the type of weather around that time.

In other words, what will be the weather at your destination during the season you plan on traveling?

2. High vs. Low season

It’s relatively expensive to go on a vacation during peak season and vice versa during off-seasons. And another thing, you are forced to have to deal with large crowds in high seasons.

Are you the type of person who doesn’t mind crowded places, or are you the type who prefers a calm or quiet setting?

The season helps you narrow down your preferences when deciding when to take a vacation.

If you plan to take your vacation when there are fewer families or kids, consider doing it during the academic year. You will hence like to avoid summer vacations, March and Spring Breaks

6. Know what is included in the package

You have found where you want to go. But before booking, check what you are paying for.

You don’t want to dig further deeper into your pockets in additional charges, that you thought you had already been covered in your all-inclusive package.

For instance, meals and drinks or even transportation may not be in your all-inclusive package.

You may also have to pay a daily fee to cover the extras such as internet access and dry cleaning.

Knowing the exact details of your all-inclusive package can help you save and choose the right package that matches your budget.

Other things that may not be included in the package but could negatively affect your vacation include:

• Wi-Fi. If it will not be 100% reliable
• Room service. Does 24hour room service matter to you? It is a must-have?

7. Get more details about the accommodation

You may have waited to get into the hotel room but get disappointed when you finally get inside.

It is important to get more information about the room to make sure that it matches your expectations before making a reservation.

Here are the type of questions you could consider asking:

• Does the room have a view?
• On which floor is the room located?

These questions are essential for security reasons as well.

We have written a detailed article on hotel safety tips to consider before and after booking a hotel room. Be sure to check it out.

You can also find out whether they allow you to upgrade your hotel room. This will be great just in case you don’t like the one they had previously booked for you. 

What’s the point of a vacation if you don’t like where you will be sleeping?

8. Don’t over-rely on travel agency websites

Most travel agents seem to know all the best destinations with all-inclusive packages.

But in most cases, all they want is to sell you their packages for a good commission.

It is important to seek advice from people who have been there. You can do this through online inquiries on major platforms such as Reddit or Tripadvisor.

You will be surprised by what you will discover. 

Related: why you should ditch travel agencies and book flights directly with the airline.

9. Use the right websites for your bookings

Using the right website to find all-inclusive vacation deals can help save you money and avoid online scams when booking.

Best websites for affordable all-inclusive vacation packages

Travel Website	Bundle Options
Expedia	Around the globe, search. Flight/Hotel Flight/car Hotel/car Flight/hotel/car Things to do
Orbitz.com	Around the globe, search. Flight/hotelFlight/carHotel/car Flight/hotel/car Things to do
CheapCaribbean.com	Planning a trip to the Caribbean Allows you to plan an all-inclusive package based on: Only adults option Family-friendly vacation Luxury vacation. The all-inclusive package includes Flight/hotel package No option to add a car
CheapTickets.com	Around the globe, search. Flight/hotel flight/car Hotel/car Flight/hotel/car Things to do
Tripadvosor.com	Allows you to: Compare prices Get honest customer reviews.

See also: Airline ticket scams and tips on how to avoid them.

3 costly mistakes travelers make when booking all-inclusive vacations

1. Paying for things you are not going to use.

For example, paying for alcoholic drinks when you don’t drink alcohol. 

2. Ignoring the fine print

You need to carefully read the fine print. Some of the all-inclusive vacation packages don’t include taxes.

This will affect your budget due to the few hundred dollars added on top.

3. Assuming that everything is in your all-inclusive package