Imagine yourself…you’re sipping a piña colada, watching the sun go down. Oh yeah, and you’re on a beach. The sky’s a brilliant creamsicle color unlike anything you’ve ever seen at home, and your only care in the world is whether or not you put on enough sunblock that day. Next stop? An all you can eat buffet, where the food’s actually good and the wine never stops flowin’.
Where are you, you ask? You’re at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, no doubt.
If you follow along on Instagram, you’ve likely already seen the endless stream of photos from my most recent trip to the Dominican Republic. We stayed at an adults only all-inclusive resort, and it was pure bliss! I’ve received a few questions on how to make a trip like this possible, so I wanted to give ya’ll the complete lowdown. These types of vacations can feel intimidating at first, because you’re both leaving the country and spending a significant amount of money…but what if you could do it all on a budget?
All-inclusive resorts typically cost a lot more to stay at than a regular hotel, because all of your food and drink is included. Yep, every meal and all your drinks; even alcohol. There’s also a variety of amenities to enjoy, like a beach, multiple pools, and an entertainment staff to boot. That being said, it is totally possible to plan a trip like this without breaking the bank.
Don’t believe me? Just see for yourself!
Solidify Your Group
The first thing you’ll want to do when planning an all-inclusive trip is solidify your travel buddies. There’s nothing worse than scouting a flash sale and being unable to pull the trigger, all thanks to some indecisive friends. Knowing who’s going can also help you figure out what types of rooms you’re going to book, the size and quality of each obviously affecting the final price of the trip.
Monitor Potential Flights
Even if you get a great deal on the resort you’re staying at, you still of course have to book your transportation. Keep an eye on potential flights, and use apps like Hopper to track prices and alert you when the best deal arises. ALSO: Make sure you’re browsing flights in incognito mode! Otherwise, you may notice the prices slowly rising as travel websites hike up the fare based on your search history.
Use Deal Sites
Catch a break on hotels by using deal sites like Kayak, Expedia, and Bookit.com. You can usually find some pretty nice rates on accommodations, which is where you’ll receive the discount when booking with these companies (not on your flights). It might be convenient to book your flights through the same discount site all in one transaction, but just keep in mind that you’re really only getting a “sale” price on your hotel.
Also, if you’re looking for a killer deal, make sure you check out Groupon, too. I had no idea until recently that they offered travel packages, but some of the prices are incredibly affordable — even for all-inclusive vacations!
Time it Right
No matter what kind of trip you’re planning, timing is always of the essence. Many times, if you wait too long to book flights, the prices will only continue to rise (though, like I said, check apps like Hopper to ensure you’re purchasing at the best price). Make sure you’re tracking potential flights, and also consider the time of year you’re traveling, too. You can often get great all-inclusive deals during the summertime, because it’s not as popular of a time to vacation in places like the Caribbean. Mid-week travel also isn’t a bad idea either!
Save Up
Lastly, the final key to planning an all-inclusive trip…save up/budget! Even using all of the above tips and tricks, traveling is still expensive. Figure out roughly how much money you’re willing to spend on the trip, and devise a plan to save that amount over time. I even created a separate savings account for travel at one point, where I had a certain percentage of my paycheck each week direct deposit into that fund. That way, the money was just there when I needed it.
Have you ever been on an all-inclusive vacation? What was YOUR experience like, and where did your travels take you?!
