All Inclusive Vacations

- What to Expect From All Inclusive Vacations, and What to Watch Out For

All inclusive vacations ("AI") in the Caribbean and Mexico are extremely popular with families, even in summer-time. What's the appeal?

Top features of All Inclusive Vacations:

• climate and beach - of course!

• extravagant pools: waterslides, waterfalls, even private waterparks

• watersports: resorts typically offer non-motorized watersports such as kayaks, windsurfing; sunfish sailing. Some include snorkeling boat trips and scuba; others charge extra for such "motorized" outings.

• kids programs: many resorts have a basic kids' club for ages four to 12. Others go all out, with separate programs for 4 or 5 different age sets. Teens are a difficult age to please, but some properties try hard, with teen activities and coordinators. Meanwhile more and more AI's offer infant care.

• activities: bingo, scavenger hunts, beach parties... Most places offer nightly entertainment too, ranging from cute-but-amateurish to professional caliber. Club Med Punta Cana has weekly kids' club show staged in a real theatre.

• meal-time convenience: multiple restaurants, including casual snacks. Buffets feed kids with no waiting; many have a kids' section. Most resorts have a la carte "fine dining" also.

• drinks on tap: - kids need plenty of cool drinks in a hot country. Swim-up bars are fun.

• grown-up pampering: a fitness center, spa, and at least one fine-dining restaurant arede rigeur. And it goes without saying that golf is available. Spa always costs extra, as does golf in most cases.

Bottom line About All inclusive Vacations:
All needs are provided for, fun is abundant, parents can enjoy a beautiful setting and relaaaaax. And with all inclusive pricing, parents never need wonder "How much will this cost?" when kids want more drinks or activities.

All inclusive Vacations - Price
Definitely, many properties cost hundreds of dollars per adult per night. At least these rates include everything: taxes, gratuities, transfers from the airport, kids' programs, watersports and perhaps even scuba.

Fortunately, there are less expensive options: see ideas for value-priced all inclusive vacations. Remember, too, that all resorts discount heavily in "summer", May through late December.

Points to Watch Out For, About All inclusive Vacations:

most pools aren't heated, except by the sun; if the weather is bad, the pool may be chilly.

at many resorts, lounge chairs are at a premium and guests have to claim them early in the morning

a la carte dining: another common complaint is that making reservations for a resort's la carte restaurants is difficult

pool towels: many resorts have some kind of system that limits the handing-out of pool towels. Some places are more relaxed than others- some are over-zealous.

Tipping:

all inclusives typically have a "no tipping" policy. Nonetheless, at some resorts -- in Mexico, for instance -- tipping is common, so you may want to bring a wad of dollar bills. (Read more Tips and Cautions for Mexico Resorts

For these and other possible inconveniences, always check recent visitors' comments for particular resorts. Two good sites:

• TripAdvisor.com
• Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews

Continue to:

• All inclusive vacations: which resort is right for you?
• Top Caribbean Resorts for Families

^{*photo of FDR Pebbles (c) Teresa Plowright}