8 Surefire Ways to Ruin Your All-Inclusive Vacation

If you want a special couples’ vacation, it’s probably best to forego a deal on a family-orientated resort just because it’s cheap. The whole idea of an all-inclusive is to allow you the freedom to switch off, and that’s just not going to happen if you’re cringing as children cannonball into the pool every five minutes.


A Great Adults-Only All-Inclusive Pick: The Caves


With its upscale boutique vibe and dramatic cliffside setting, The Caves is considered one of Jamaica’s most romantic escapes. This upscale, all-inclusive property's 12 unique, private cottages and suites unfold along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs carved with steep stairways down to the water and into incredible grottos. A clifftop bar, a grotto bar, and private candlelit cave dining are on offer.

Speaking of expectations… Don’t expect The Plaza when you’ve paid for a motel. Make sure you adjust your expectations to your budget. It can help to research before booking to determine what the type of vacation you’re expecting costs.


If what you’re looking for can only be found at a five-star resort, prepare to pay accordingly. While great value can be found in some all-inclusives, the consensus is that you get what you pay for.

Why do all-inclusive resorts transform even the most reasonable guests into demanding divas? Just because you've paid for unlimited amenities doesn't mean you're the only guest who matters. Treating resort staff disrespectfully won't enhance your experience—or your karma. No price tag, no matter how high, justifies rudeness.

Many people assume that all-inclusive resorts trade quality for quantity, offering endless but mediocre food and drinks. Yet, in our experience, guests tend to overindulge regardless of whether the cuisine is average or excellent—both at the buffet and the bar.


Nothing ruins a vacation quite like feeling uncomfortably full or nursing a brutal hangover. The solution? Practice moderation, even when everything is unlimited.

Budget woes are not supposed to be an issue when on an all-inclusive getaway. So why swap the stress of worrying about having enough money for worrying if you’re getting enough value out of the money you’ve already paid?


You want to make an all-inclusive trip worthwhile by taking advantage of activities and other offerings but don’t obsess about the minuscule details or, worse, fixate on what other guests are getting that you think you’re not. The whole idea of the all-inclusive vacation is to keep you focused on relaxing and enjoying yourself—don’t create problems that aren’t there.

Some all-inclusive resorts use your presence as an excuse to test their best marketing skills and sell you a timeshare. Worse still, some resorts will even lure guests to attend their timeshare presentations by offering free activities and extras—with the small caveat of having to attend one of these presentations first.


These lengthy lectures are infamous for trapping guests for hours and, in some cases, refusing to let them leave without a high-pressure sales pitch. Don’t sign up for one of these unless you’re truly okay with losing a few hours of your vacation to sitting in a conference hall—and make sure you educate yourself on the pros and cons of timeshares before signing anything.

Unless you’re in a luxury resort where it’s strictly forbidden, you should still be tipping at an all-inclusive resort. Food and drinks may be free, but service is unquantifiable, which means tipping might mean the difference between long waits at the swim-up bar and being first served every time.


Bring lots of small bills so that you can leave gratuities and research how much (and when) you should tip at the specific resort ahead of time.

All-inclusive doesn’t always mean “all.” If you didn’t research ahead of time what’s actually included in your stay, you could be surprised with an additional bill when you check out—especially if your love for top-shelf whiskey, wine upgrades with dinner, and scuba diving lessons got out of hand.