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5 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking an All-inclusive Vacation

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Vacations should make your life better, not make it more stressful or complicated. If done correctly, however, going the all-inclusive approach can be the ideal way to guarantee a trouble-free vacation. There are a lot of myths surrounding the booking process, so if you've never done it yourself, you might have a lot of questions.

For instance, although they might include transportation from the airport, all-inclusive resorts typically do not include the cost of your flights to the destination in the package. If you do your research on travelwiseway.com, it's easy to avoid some of the most common mistakes people make when planning a vacation. Read along, and we discuss common mistakes to avoid when booking an all-inclusive vacation.

1. Assuming Everything Is Included

You might believe that when you pay for an all-inclusive vacation, everything related to your trip is covered, from airfare and getting around to tips, gratuities, activities, and more. However, all-inclusive pricing might vary greatly in terms of what they cover; yours could include merely rooms and food, or it could include alcoholic drinks but no tips. 

Flights from your home airport to your destination are normally not included, but if the resort is isolated and luxurious enough, it may have its own planes to transport guests in style. Don't assume that once you've booked and paid for an all-inclusive vacation, you can put your wallet away. There may be other parts of your trip that you still need to arrange – and pay for.

2. Don’t Exceed Your Budget

Setting a budget is essential for maintaining your cash and staying within the limits of what is fair for your situation.  It's easy to convince yourself that a super-expensive package is worth it. If you're uncomfortable paying a specific price or have to dip into savings or, worse, run into debt to make it happen, don't do it; you'll be disappointed the entire trip. Dive into articles by Alina Goncharova to find out hiccups and flaws in the trip will leave you bitter and resentful of the money you should not have spent.

3. Booking Amenities You Won’t Use

Your resort may offer various all-inclusive packages with a variety of amenities, but don't pay for items you won't be using. For instance, if you're going on vacation and don't drink alcohol, or if you eat just fish and salads, a top-tier package with weekly steak and wine pairings would be completely unnecessary.  You might be paying for spa services when you'd rather be at the beach. You should consider a lower-tier package or the typical à la carte vacation option.

4. Eating Only Familiar Dishes

You can eat and drink anything and whenever you want at an all-inclusive, which is one of the advantages. Take advantage of the chance to try foods that you have never tried before – it's free! Usually, buffets or restaurants at all-inclusive offer a large selection of food that is available to you for no additional charge. Try something different and step outside of your comfort zone rather than sticking to your go-to meals or combos. It's okay if you don't like it; you can choose something different.

5. Staying on the Property Throughout your Stay

The most significant disadvantage of an all-inclusive trip is that it can be limiting, urging travellers to stay within the boundaries of what is covered. This can include never leaving the resort, never dining at a local restaurant serving authentic cuisine, and never spending money on local excursions and activities. This will not only result in a dull, one-dimensional experience, but it may also be detrimental to the destination. It may be tempting to avoid spending money beyond what you paid for the resort, but failing to budget and prepare for food, activities, and experiences outside of the all-inclusive package will result in a less rewarding, enlightening, or entertaining trip.

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Emma Drew

Emma has spent over 15 years sharing her expertise in making and saving money, inspiring thousands to take control of their finances. After paying off £15,000 in credit card debt, she turned her side hustles into a full-time career in 2015. Her award-winning blog, recognized as the UK's best money-making blog for three years, has made her a trusted voice, with features on BBC TV, BBC radio, and more.

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