All-inclusive Resorts : What to expect?
All inclusive resorts can be found all around the world, but mainly in southern and exotic countries, such as Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Vietnam, etc. Most people think that these resorts are made for older people, that it’s boring, all there is to do is drink and that you won’t get to use your phone for the entire time of your stay. Let me break it to you, these stereotypes are far from true. Meeting people It is well known that these resorts mostly attract North Americans. Although, you can find travelers from all around the world, and that’s in my opinion the best part of traveling there. I remember from a few years ago, when I was just in Dominican Republic, we had the occasion to play beach volleyball with a guy from Germany and a woman from Sweden. Later on, someone in the group broke her finger while playing water polo, so this same woman, being a surgeon in her own country, literally fixed her finger. That’s how easy it is to make friends in an all-inclusive resort. The staff Those who work there are geniuenely the kindest individuals you’ll ever encounter. These countries are not the richest and run on tourism, so the staff works hard to make a living out of it and to make sure you’ll want to come back. Myself made some friends who were part of the staff, because they are so nice, friendly and generous. Here’s a little tip for you all : If you want to please the staff (especially the bartenders and servers), offer them just a little bit of money from time to time. It can literally be $1 USD, but you’ll still become their best friend and they’ll give you a special treatment. What is there to do? On the site Most resorts offer the same kind of activities on site : spas, gym, paddleboard, water ski, etc. There is one for everyone there. Many of these place also offer a huge variety of restaurants. You can always find an all-you-can-eat restaurant, which is typically where you eat breakfast and lunch. But, in the evening, fancier restaurants are open. They all have a different theme : italian, african, seafood, mexican, etc. So, let me reassure you, you eat extremely well in an all-inclusive resort. You also usually find a big pool and a big beach with chairs with umbrellas. They sometimes also offer a VIP section, which is less busy than the regular area. That is if you paid for the option, of course. Outside of the site Most of the all-inclusive resorts, if not all, offer excursions outside the site. You can think of anything, depending on the country you’re staying. There are a lot of yatch tours, where you can visit different islands, go snorkeling, swim in clear blue water… I’m also thinking of visiting historic sites. For example, when I was in Cancun, I went to visit the famous Chichenitza site, which is part of the mexican history. Of course, you have to pay for those as it is not included in the price of the trip. Also, you are always free to go out of the resort by yourself to discover the surroundings. Not everything has to be related to this one place! What to bring The resorts will usually have a lot of amenities for you to use, in the rooms or for the beach. For example, the staff can lend you freshly dried towels for the beach/pool, so that’s one thing you won’t need to pack in your suitcase. Plus, in the rooms, you’ll typically find an hair dryer, multiple power outlets, the towels come in all sizes and you’ll also find soap, shampoo and everything you need to shower. Most of the time, there is also a small store on site where you can buy other types of amenities and souvenirs, such as medication, other brands of soaps, games, snacks and more! So, to sum up, all you really need to bring is your clothes, shoes, bathing suits and some other specific products you might think of. That’s one of the best parts about all-inclusive resorts : everything is included! Beware of the salesmen! Some resorts own the beach, and some others don’t. On those beach, you’ll often see people walking around, asking you if you want to buy their products. If you refuse to buy, they’ll leave you alone. But, it’s not forbidden to buy a souvenir from them, as it is often hand-crafted, which makes it more authentic. The prices are also reasonable, in case you were wondering. It won’t be any more expensive than any other store. If you’ve enjoyed our article and want to keep the fun going, why not join us on our social media? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for even more updates, behind-the-scenes, and exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! Keep the exploration going! Discover more hidden gems and insider tips by browsing through our library of travel articles. https://theglobetrotterbible.com/what-to-do/guide-to-explore-toronto-in-spring/
