There’s a particular kind of holiday optimism that kicks in when you book an all-inclusive. It is easy to picture yourself at a sun-drenched swim-up bar, wallet untouched, everything catered for. Its growing popularity is clear evidence of how travellers view the proposition.
A quick audit of what is and is not covered before you leave can save real money and genuine frustration once you’re there. What kind of preparation do you need to do before you head out?
1. Specialty Restaurant Reservations
Most resorts include a buffet and a couple of casual dining spots in the base rate. However, if you want to visit the good restaurants like beachfront à la carte, the teppanyaki, or the chef’s table, it often costs extra, requires advance booking, or both.
Hidden dining surcharges at all-inclusive resorts are among the most commonly reported hotel surprise expenses that could catch you off guard on a special night. Check the dining policy before you travel, not when your stomach is rumbling.
2. Motorized Water Sports and Off-Resort Excursions
The kayaks are yours, but the jet skis likely aren’t. Most all-inclusive packages cover only non-motorised water sports, which means anything with an engine (parasailing, jet skiing, boat trips) comes with a separate price tag.
The same goes for excursions that take you off the property. Going off to see local sites, a snorkelling trip to the outer reef, a class in town all come out of pocket. If you don’t budget for it, you could end up missing out on some of the best parts of your destination.
Booking excursions through the resort is convenient but almost always more expensive than booking directly with a local operator. Research your destination before you leave, identify two or three experiences you actually want, and price them independently.
3. Reliable Internet Access
In the resort, you may experience slow speeds, dead zones and throttled connections that can’t handle a WhatsApp call or streaming an episode.
For Australians who want to stream their shows without buffering, work part-time online or check on things back home, the best fix is subscribing to the fastest VPN you can find before departure.
4. Spa Treatments
The spa facility is often included, but if you want any treatments, it’s almost always extra. A massage, facial, hot stone massage session, are all billed at full resort rates, which aren’t typically modest.
If a couple’s massage at sunset sounds like your kind of holiday and not an optional extra, earmark the budget for it and book ahead when you can. Availability at good resort spas disappears quickly.
5. Tipping
This one trips up a lot of Australians, who aren’t particularly used to the tipping culture. Many all-inclusive resorts claim gratuities are included, but in reality, things on the ground are more nuanced. Many travellers still tip extra at all-inclusive resorts, regardless of the policy.
This is particularly true for housekeeping, bar staff, and baggage handlers. Budget around $15-20 AUD per day as a working figure and bring small notes in local currency from the start.
6. Airport Transfers
Sometimes they’re included and other times not. A lot of all-inclusive packages tend to assume you’re getting yourself to the front gate before you hand everything over.
Confirm the transfer details when booking because arriving in Cancun or Phuket after a long-haul flight and having to negotiate an unplanned taxi is the kind of thing that sets the wrong tone for a holiday centred on not having to think about logistics.
7. Travel Insurance
It is never included. This should probably be number one on the list, but it often gets forgotten because the booking process is so focused on the good stuff. Medical evacuation from the Maldives is not an expense you want to encounter without insurance.
Get comprehensive travel cover and read it to ensure it includes what you care about, including pre-existing conditions. Comprehensive travel insurance for an all-inclusive holiday should cover, at minimum: overseas medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, lost or delayed luggage, and travel delays. If you’re planning any motorised water sports or adventure activities, check whether these require a specific add-on, as many standard policies exclude them. A good rule of thumb is to ensure the trip the same day you pay the deposit.
The Bottom Line
All-inclusive holidays offer excellent value when you know exactly what you are getting. The smart move is to audit the details before you leave. Check the dining policy, set aside discretionary funds for extras, confirm logistics, and handle insurance the day you book.
With all the right preparations, you can switch off, enjoy the facilities, and let the holiday wash over you as pleasantly as possible.
