What's Included in an All-Inclusive Resort?

The whole appeal of all-inclusive is that one price covers almost everything. At virtually every resort, you can count on: ✅ Your room ✅ All meals — buffet restaurants, à la carte dining (reservations sometimes needed), and 24-hour snacks ✅ Beverages — house wine, domestic beer, well-liquor cocktails, soft drinks, water, and coffee ✅ Pool and beach access — loungers, towels, umbrellas ✅ Non-motorized water sports — kayaks, snorkel gear, paddleboards (varies by resort) ✅ Daily entertainment — live music, shows, theme nights ✅ Kids clubs at family resorts — supervised activities for the little ones ✅ Fitness center access ✅ Wi-Fi — though quality varies, and some charge for the faster tier

This is where the surprises hide, so it's worth knowing before you go. These typically cost extra: 💰 Spa treatments — massages, facials, body treatments ($80–$200+) 💰 Scuba diving — intro and certified dives ($80–$150) 💰 Off-site excursions — catamaran tours, zip-lining, cultural tours ($50–$200) 💰 Premium alcohol — top-shelf spirits, champagne, premium wine 💰 Room upgrades — swim-out suites, oceanfront, butler service 💰 Photography packages — professional resort photo sessions 💰 Gift shop purchases 💰 Airport transfers — some resorts include them, many charge $25–$60/person each way 💰 Wedding and event packages 💰 Motorized water sports — jet skis, parasailing ($50–$100) One tip worth its weight: when you're comparing rates, check whether gratuities are included. Sandals folds all tips in, while some resorts tack on a daily service charge of $10–$15 per person.