02 Nov Making the Most of Your All Inclusive Resort {How to Save & Still Explore}

Last month I had an amazing trip to Jamaica but I almost didn’t go! My friend wanted to do an all inclusive trip but I was afraid the experience would be too limiting. I’m the type of traveler who likes to get out, explore and eat like the locals. So would an all inclusive resort be for me?

It was! We stayed at the Riu Palace Tropical Bay in Negril and it was so much fun. If you’re interested in an all inclusive trip, check out the tips below.

What’s Included
“All inclusive” can be an overused term, so you want to know exactly what’s included. Luckily my stay at Riu meant everything was included in the price I paid. That meant transportation to and from the airport, all meals and drinks were paid upfront. However, read the fine print for your specific resort. Some of them charge extra fees for tipping, alcoholic beverages and more.

Is It Worth It?
This should be your next, but most important, question. While package deals can mean less of a planning hassle, crunch the numbers to be sure you’re really getting a deal. In some cases, it might be more beneficial to book everything separately and pay for your food and drinks as you go {especially if you’re in a country that has cheap eats and where the dollar is strong!}.

Know the Resort’s Demographic
Not all resorts are created equally. Well, you know this, but the crowd they serve isn’t the same as well. If you’re searching for a family vacay, find a property that has activities for the kids. If you want a young singles getaway, you might want to avoid a location with a ton of children. The Riu Palace Tropical Bay was mostly adults/couples in their 30s/40s and beyond. There weren’t many children or singles, but this was also the low season. And one of the resort workers pointed out a hotel a little further down the beach that had more young people.

Get Off the Resort
This was my first time in Jamaica and one of my biggest reservations about doing an all inclusive trip was feeling like it might limit my experience. I mean, would I want to leave the comfy, paid for resort? Yes! I made it a point to leave the Riu to get out and explore. I feel like what’s the point of visiting another country if you’re not actually going to see the land, culture and people?

Research Tours
A great way to see the country or enjoy certain activities is to take a tour. Most hotels will have tour recommendations, but do your research to be sure it’s the most affordable one. Since you’re saving so much at the resort, some of them will jack up the prices of the excursions. Do your homework and search for the best tour, because some of them can really put a dent in your wallet.

Ask Bartenders for Local Hot Spots
When it came time to venture beyond the Riu, we asked the bartenders and taxi drivers where we should go. These are the people who’ll give you the real deal about what’s really happening and where to be each night. Our first night everyone collectively agreed the Jungle Night Club was the place to be. We had an amazing time. The music was great, the crowd was cool and on Saturdays, a $15 entrance fee included unlimited drinks. However, on a following night we ventured out to Bourbon Beach. This place was awful and downright shady and had some creepy characters. We stayed for 30 minutes and quickly went back to our hotel. So when asking people for recommendations, get more than one opinion. Bourbon Beach came recommended by one driver and we decided to go with that. The next day when we told one of the bartenders and scuba instructors about our weird experience, they all agreed it wasn’t the place for two single women to be.

Beware of/Bargain with the Peddlers
Some resorts are adamant about not letting anyone sell products on the beach, but others have a more relaxed attitude about it. At the Riu, which is on Bloody Bay Beach, men walked up and down the stretch selling everything from purses to aloe vera to “herbs.” If you typically say no thank you, they keep it moving. However, if you do decide to buy something, be sure to haggle {kinda like how to bargain at a flea market}. They’ll rip you off if you let them. Don’t let them!

Keep Small Bills on Hand
While the Riu didn’t require tipping {and some hotels won’t even let you tip, at all!}, we kept small bills on hand so we could tip for exceptional service. But even if you don’t tip at all, it’s always a great idea to have small bills. These are perfect for cabs, street vendors or grabbing a bite to eat when you leave the resort.

Ask for the Local Cuisine You Want
One of the best things about traveling is trying authentic, new-to-me cuisine. Or at least that’s what I think but at many all inclusive resorts, you’ll find buffets that have very Americanized/European food. I really liked the food at the Riu and though the buffets featured a “Jamaican corner” of oxtail, dumpling, stewed veggies, etc., this was such a small portion of the dining experience. Ackee and saltfish is Jamaica’s national dish and I was amazed they only offered it one morning. I asked a server about this and he told me I could request the dish from the chef. I politely informed the chef I would love some ackee and saltfish on my last morning at the resort and he agreed to make it happen. I was surprised it was that easy. I also tried some jackfruit and soursop for the first time. So delicious! If you’re visiting a destination that is known for a particular cuisine and you don’t see it, don’t be afraid to ask.

Get Friendly with the Bartender
Watered down drinks can happen anywhere, but this can especially happen when your alcoholic beverages are unlimited. This is what we experienced at the Riu. The drinks were sooooo watered down. Even when we asked the bartender to top us off with extra rum, the pina colada was still all sugar. So instead, get specific with your drink orders or keep it simple with beverages that don’t require mixing. Stick with the island’s brand of beer, rum or tequila or go with wine. We were tired of watered down mimosas every morning so eventually we just asked for champagne…with a splash of OJ. Also, our hotel room had alcohol dispensaries, so we would just get some rum from the room and jazz up the watered down drink. But I’d go easy! We came across a guy who was beyond intoxicated and security was escorting him back to his room.

I’m so happy I didn’t turn my nose up at the all inclusive trip. I saved a ton of money, relaxed and still got to see a bit of Jamaica.

What tips do you have for staying at an all inclusive resort? Do you prefer all inclusive or booking your package separately?