All-Inclusive Drink Limits: Are You Really Only Allowed 6 Drinks?

The idea sounds perfect: a sun-soaked beach, endless buffets, and as many cocktails as you fancy. For years, that's been the magic of all-inclusive holidays. But in 2022, a wave of headlines warned travelers: “Six-drink rule hits all-inclusive holidays!” Suddenly people who’d booked a care-free break were envisioning a world where the bartender cut them off after just a few mojitos. Rumors spun faster than a blender at happy hour. Was it just Spain? All the Mediterranean? The whole world? None of this made holidaymakers particularly happy, and the confusion hasn’t really faded.

So what’s the truth? Are you really limited to six drinks a day in all-inclusive resorts? Or was this a PR disaster that’s been blown out of proportion? Let’s unpick the facts, sort out the fiction, and shed some light on what you can *actually* expect at your next all-inclusive escape.

Where Did the “6-Drink Rule” Rumor Start?

Most of the scare really started in a few touristy hotspots in Spain—think Magaluf, Playa de Palma, El Arenal and San Antonio on Ibiza. Back in 2022, the Balearic Islands’ government put in place strict alcohol rules. The point? Cut down on rowdy, sometimes dangerous behavior linked to “binge drinking” among holiday crowds. Suddenly, hotels and travel companies like TUI and Jet2 began warning guests that the free flow of booze was getting its taps tightened: only six alcoholic drinks a day offered in the basic all-inclusive package, split evenly between lunch and dinner (so three each). For the rest, you’d pay extra.

And yes, guests on those packages in those zones found themselves counting beers. Resorts policed it with paper tokens, signature sheets, or at the bar with a clicker. Was it universal? Not even close. These rules targeted a handful of municipalities on two of Spain’s most wild party islands. Most of mainland Spain, the Canaries, and everywhere else in Europe? Life went on as usual, with margaritas still flowing freely.

So, if you’ve been eyeing up a poolside piña colada in the Caribbean or Turkey, don’t panic. There’s no six-drink ceiling lurking. And even in those specific Spanish zones, you can legally *buy* as many drinks as you want. The rule was about what’s included for free, not your legal maximum.

Do Drink Limits Actually Exist in All-Inclusive Resorts?

Beneath the drama, all-inclusive hotels have always come in all shapes and sizes. Even before any law or media fuss, some luxury or family-oriented resorts already put little tweaks on their open bar policies. You might find “branded alcohol only after 5pm,” or limits on premium spirits. Early breakfast mimosas might be swapped for coffee, simply because management doesn’t want a rowdy scene with kids about. In some budget-friendly hotels, bartenders might slow service or subtly water down cocktails, too—more about stretching their stock than about health, if we’re being honest.

But an official, strictly-enforced limit of “6 drinks only” is very rare outside those party zones in Spain. And it’s even rarer for hotels *not* to tell you about it up-front. Most reputable resorts (think big names like Sandals, Club Med, Riu, or Iberostar) advertise their policy online and don’t spring surprises on guests. Resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Turkey are some of the most generous—unlimited drinks and 24-hour lobby bars are more of a bragging point than a hidden rule.

What about smaller chains or independent hotels? You might bump into quirky restrictions, like “no alcohol before 11am” or only house brands available at all-inclusive bars. Sometimes, local law means you can’t take a drink to the beach or sip by the entryway. And occasionally—for example during big international sporting events—bartenders may use their discretion to slow things down for safety.

Tips for Getting the Most out of Your All-Inclusive Drinks

The most common thing people want to know: will staff actually stop you at drink number six? If you’re not in the Spanish party zones with the official rule, probably not. But there are definitely ways to avoid disappointment, especially if you like to mix your day with a bit of sun, a nap, and a happy hour cocktail. Here’s what works in 2025:

• Check the fine print before you book. It sounds annoying, but it pays off. Most hotels detail exactly what “all-inclusive” means—look for words like “unlimited” or “house brands only.”
• If in doubt, ask the resort directly. Online forums and Facebook groups are full of people who just got back. They’re happy to spill the secrets.
• Bring your own reusable cup or insulated tumbler. Bars at most Caribbean and Mexican resorts are happy to fill up—sometimes with bigger servings than the tiny plastic cups given out at the pool.
• If your resort uses a ticket system or signature sheet in Spain, pace yourself. Pick out your favorite times (lunchtime sangria, sunset gin and tonic) so you won’t run out before dinner. If you need more, you can always buy drinks at the bar—just be ready for regular city prices.
• Want top-shelf booze? Booking a “premium” all-inclusive or a club room gives you access, while sticking with the budget plans might limit you to local options.
• Tip your bartender. While you can’t bribe staff to give you more than the law allows, a small tip often gets you a stronger pour or the first pick of the good stuff.
• Try mocktails and soft drinks to stretch out your alcohol allowance. With tropical fruit everywhere, resorts flex their creative muscles on non-alcoholic drinks, too.
• Stay safe in the sun. Even where drinks are unlimited, dehydration is real. Alternate with water or coconut water so you don’t spend half your trip sleeping off a hangover.

I've seen couples in Jamaica toast with champagne at breakfast, families sharing beers at lunch in Lanzarote, and plenty of groups never even hitting their “limit.” It’s less about the drinks and more about relaxing together. If you and your friends or your partner are happy with a round or two per meal and then a long walk on the beach (I usually am, though Ethan—my other half—still finds the idea of an ‘unlimited daiquiri bar’ exciting well into his 40s), you probably won’t even notice if there’s a technical limit. Those who do are often chasing the “bottomless” experience rather than savoring the holiday vibe.

The Real Secret: All-Inclusive is About More Than Booze

At the heart of the six-drink debate is something few people mention: most travelers don’t go to an all-inclusive simply to see how many shots they can down before 5pm. The big joy is in not pulling out your wallet every 10 minutes, trying new things, and giving yourself permission to just *not worry* for a little while.

The typical Canadian or Brit on an all-inclusive—yes, there are exceptions, and we've all seen that guy by the pool—usually mixes pool time, great meals, a few cocktails at sunset, and a whole lot of happy laziness. A survey by ABTA (the UK travel association) in 2023 found that less than 12% of travelers ranked “unlimited alcohol” as their top reason for choosing all-inclusive. Most cared about value for money, great service, food, and evening entertainment. For families, not fighting over who’s picking up the next round is a bigger draw than an open bar.

Kids’ clubs, waterslides, cooking classes, even guided snorkel trips—those can all be part of your booking. So while you might be limited on booze in one or two places, you’re rarely short on ways to have fun, tips to try, and chances to come home with stories to tell. I’d always pick ‘four craft cocktails and a lazy hammock nap’ over trying to tick off a full six drinks before dinner just because that’s what’s “included”—but hey, everyone holidays differently.

• If you love a drink but also want your money’s worth, ask the resort if you can swap drinks you won’t use for things like spa credits or off-menu snacks. Some are surprisingly flexible.
• Keep your eyes out for resort “special nights” where cocktails, champagne, or imported spirits are poured freely for everyone, regardless of the day’s count.
• If you do hit a limit, take it as a chance to try something new—like a local dessert, sunset yoga, or a late movie under the stars. Sometimes the best memories happen a little outside your routine.

So, are you only allowed 6 drinks on all-inclusive? Unless you’re headed to a very specific corner of the Balearic Islands, you’ll find that the rumors are much louder than reality. Most of the time, your drinks are as “unlimited” as your appetite for adventure—and your resort is more interested in your safety and comfort than counting your glasses.