Is everything free with all-inclusive holidays? What’s really covered

You see the ad: all inclusive holidays for $899. Flights, hotel, meals, drinks - all covered. It sounds too good to be true. And honestly? It kind of is.

What ‘all inclusive’ actually means

When you book an all-inclusive holiday, you’re paying one upfront price for lodging, three meals a day, basic drinks, and sometimes snacks and activities. Sounds simple, right? But the word ‘all’ is where things get messy.

At a basic all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, your meal plan usually covers buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That means pancakes at 8 a.m., tacos at 1 p.m., and pasta at 7 p.m. - all served in a large dining room with a line. You won’t find fine dining unless you pay extra.

Drinks are where the confusion starts. Most resorts include local beer, house wine, and basic spirits like rum or vodka. But premium brands? That’s extra. A bottle of Grey Goose, a glass of Chilean Cabernet, or a craft cocktail made with fresh mint and artisanal gin? Those cost extra - sometimes $10 or more. And if you’re used to sipping a gin and tonic every evening, that adds up fast.

What’s NOT included - the hidden list

Here’s what you’ll likely have to pay for, even on an ‘all inclusive’ package:

• Alcohol beyond the house brand - premium liquor, imported beers, top-shelf wine
• Specialty restaurants - think steakhouse, sushi bar, or Italian trattoria on resort property
• Spa treatments - massages, facials, saunas - even if they’re right next to the pool
• Off-resort excursions - snorkeling trips, zip-lining, city tours, or boat rides
• Room service - yes, even if you’re too tired to walk to the dining room
• Wi-Fi - many resorts charge for fast internet, or limit you to slow, spotty access
• Tips - staff aren’t paid enough to live on base wages. Gratuities are expected, and often added automatically
• Laundry - unless you’re staying for two weeks, don’t expect free washing

One traveler I spoke with in Cancún booked a 7-night all-inclusive for $1,200. By the end, she’d spent another $450 on cocktails, a massage, and a day trip to Chichén Itzá. That’s nearly half the original cost.

Activities: free? Not always

Resorts love to advertise ‘free activities.’ Snorkeling? Kayaking? Yoga on the beach? Those are usually included. But here’s the catch: they’re often group sessions with limited equipment and slots.

Want a private snorkeling tour with a guide who takes you to the best coral reefs? That’s extra. Want to take a scuba diving course? That’s another $150. Want to play tennis on a clay court with a coach? That’s a fee. Even ‘free’ kids’ clubs often charge for special events like treasure hunts or movie nights.

At a resort in Jamaica, a family paid $1,800 for a week. They assumed the water park and mini-golf were included. Turns out, the water park was only open two hours a day, and mini-golf cost $12 per person per round. Their kids were disappointed. The parents were frustrated.

Food quality: quantity over quality

All-inclusive resorts are built for volume, not gourmet experiences. You’ll get a lot of food - but it’s often repetitive and low on freshness.

Breakfast might be the best meal of the day: eggs, toast, fruit, yogurt. But lunch? Think overcooked chicken, bland rice, and soggy salad. Dinner? Same thing, just with different sauce. Some resorts rotate themes - Mexican night, Italian night - but the ingredients rarely change. You’re eating the same potatoes for five nights straight.

There’s a reason people who stay for two weeks often start craving a grocery store. One couple in Puerto Rico told me they started buying fruit from a vendor outside the resort gates just to get something real.

Resort vs. resort: not all all-inclusives are the same

There’s a big difference between a budget all-inclusive and a luxury one. A $400/night resort in the Dominican Republic will give you the basics. A $1,200/night resort in the Maldives might include unlimited premium drinks, 24/7 room service, and private beach dinners.

Here’s a quick comparison:

If you want true all-inclusive - meaning no surprises - you’ll pay more. But if you’re okay with limits and paying extra for upgrades, you can still get value.

Who really benefits from all-inclusive?

All-inclusive isn’t for everyone. It works best for:

• Families with kids - you know exactly what you’re paying, and there’s always something to do
• People who hate planning - you show up, eat, drink, relax
• Travelers on a tight budget - if you stick to the basics, you save on meals and drinks

It’s worst for:

• Foodies - you’ll miss real local cuisine
• Drinkers who like variety - you’ll be stuck with the same rum for a week
• Anyone who wants to explore - you’re stuck on resort property unless you pay extra
• People who hate crowds - all-inclusive resorts are packed

How to avoid the trap

If you’re considering an all-inclusive, here’s how to not get burned:

1. Read the fine print - look for ‘premium drinks excluded’ or ‘à la carte restaurants extra’
2. Check reviews - look for comments like ‘we spent $500 extra’ or ‘the food was terrible’
3. Ask what’s included - call the resort directly and list what you care about: ‘Is Fiji Water included? Is the spa free?’
4. Set a daily spending limit - decide ahead of time how much you’ll spend on extras
5. Consider a partial all-inclusive - some resorts offer ‘all-inclusive plus’ with better drinks and one free dinner

One trick: book a resort with a free airport transfer and free shuttle to a nearby town. You can eat at local restaurants for $10 a meal and still enjoy the pool and beach. That’s real savings.

Bottom line

No, everything is not free with all-inclusive. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad deal. It’s just not magic. You’re paying for convenience, not luxury. If you go in knowing what’s included - and what’s not - you can have a great time without surprise bills.

Think of it like a buffet: you get what you pay for. And if you want the good stuff? You pay extra. Just like at a restaurant.