The Value in All-Inclusive Resorts

Value in All Inclusives

Presented by Palace Resorts

There's a First Time for Everything

By Lauren Bowling



On my most recent international trip, I stayed at The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun, an amazing all-inclusive resort located in Cancun, Mexico. It was a trip full of firsts: my first trip to Mexico, my first stay at an all-inclusive resort, and the first time in a long while that I haven’t had to think about money or even bring my wallet anywhere… like, at all.

Which is strange given that I’ve been writing about personal finance for over five years on my blog, Financial Best Life. This means that for the last 1,825 days I have written, talked, blogged, coached, and tweeted about money – almost exclusively. 

And you know what? Living a money-free lifestyle for a few days was pretty nice.

Beyond the experience of not having to take your wallet or exchange money at any point on the trip, I found that all-inclusive resorts do have other values as well.


Couples and families can go to any restaurant and not have to worry about dividing up the bill or fighting over the check. No one has to worry that they’re going to more expensive places than the other can afford, because… it’s all paid for in advance.

The Ability to Budget Better

I’ve traveled a bit (mostly in the continental U.S.) and it’s always hard to budget for exactly how much you’re going to spend on a trip or vacation. What if you want to splurge on a dinner, meet up with an old friend you hadn’t planned on seeing, or participate in a can’t-miss activity like a show or watersport? Depending on what the situation calls for, you may end up spending at an epic level above your original budget.

Vacations are some of the easiest times to say yes when you should say no. “I work hard, I deserve this,” you say. Or at the very least you can easily justify it with a simple, “We’re on vacation! I’ll eat peanut butter and ramen at home.”

See what I mean?

My favorite thing about the all-inclusive experience was that I paid for my flight, I knew how much the stay was going to cost, and because I knew the numbers I was working with beforehand I was able to pay for the vacation in full before I went, which means not stressing out about money after the vacation is over.

Value in All-Inclusives

More Bang (and Time!) for Your Buck

Better Value for the Dollar

All-inclusive resorts are known for being a really good value – it’s why people like them so much and why cruises are always full. After all, who can resist getting food + lodging for one low price?

The value really comes into play if you like to eat a lot or imbibe on tropical beverages. If we were paying out of pocket at a bar or club, our tab for each day alone would’ve cost us around $150 dollars.  Just watch for incidentals – we had to pay out of pocket because we forgot sunscreen and the bottle was $24 U.S. dollars. Ouch! We also paid out of pocket for an activity (parasailing!), which was available at a very competitive rate.

Cost vs. Time Savings

Ever heard the phrase, “you get what you pay for?” Honestly, it’s one of my favorite money mantras. Those who don’t see the value in all-inclusive resorts may not realize that they’re also paying for the convenience of not having to plan out every single moment of your trip.  Anything you want seems to be right at your fingertips, you never have to go off-site, and they designed it to be this way so they’re very, very good at it.

If you want a convenience factor above all others – go the all-inclusive route.

Fewer Awkward Money Conversations

I was traveling with my boyfriend, but I can see an additional benefit of an all-inclusive: not having to talk about money – especially for families or couples traveling together. Since everything is taken care of, couples and families can go to any restaurant and not have to worry about dividing up the bill or fighting over the check. No one has to worry that they’re going to more expensive places than the other can afford, because… it’s all paid for in advance.

When Going All-Inclusive…It’s Best to be Clear on Your Own Priorities First

As with any big purchase like a vacation, if you want to feel truly satisfied with what you spend, it’s important to make sure your choices align with your money beliefs and values. What kind of vacation do you really want to have?

 If you want a vacation where you lay on the beach with a daiquiri, don’t have to worry or stress at all about money, schedules, or plans– all-inclusive resorts might be the perfect fit for you. I know that for me, who was in town celebrating my 30th birthday, this low-stress, budget-friendly vacation was the most fitting experience imaginable.