How to book an all-inclusive vacation

Our guide covers everything you need to know, from budgets for all-inclusive holidays to finding the best flights to your preferred sunny destination.

Follow these steps to book the all-inclusive vacation of your dreams:

1. Determine your budget

2. Pick your destination

3. Consider your priorities

4. Check what's included

5. Find the best flights

6. Make and review your resort shortlist

Determine your budget

Before planning your all-inclusive vacation, eliminate the guesswork and create a budget to get the best value from your trip. Vacations at all-inclusive resorts can be relatively affordable or even more budget-friendly than other travel options, depending on how flexible you are.

Up-and-coming all-inclusive destinations tend to be low-cost, since they don't always have the same prestige or luxury as other spots. Peak season brings the highest vacation costs, but travelling during the shoulder or off-season can offer significant savings and let you access all-inclusive packages that are usually more expensive. Peak and off-seasons vary by destination, so check ahead of time to determine the most cost-effective time to travel.

Pick your destination

All-inclusive vacations can look different: some are more focused on basking in the sun on resort beaches, while others offer more action-oriented activities during your stay. For example, if you want to get out of the resort, rent a car, and explore, choose a destination with cultural or outdoor activities nearby. If you're just after sun and sand, consider destinations known for their beaches.

Consider your priorities

Consider what you want from your vacation before booking. Make a shortlist of your priorities to help narrow down resort options that suit your needs, and keep an open mind as you weigh your choices. Resorts may not be able to check off every box on your list, but some may even offer experiences that you hadn't even considered.

For example, many all-inclusive resorts even offer free or discounted activities, such as snorkeling and tours. If you’re just looking for relaxation, prioritize destinations with resorts that offer great amenities, such as beaches with loungers or cabanas for rent, pools, spa treatments, and unlimited dining.

Check what's included

All-inclusive can mean different things depending on the resort, and knowing what's actually included helps you make an informed choice that fits your budget.

Most all-inclusive vacations include accommodations, meals, alcohol, and some activities, but there's a good chance you’ll have to pay for extras, such as airport transfers, fine dining, day trips, and spa services. Some resorts offer unlimited dining and drinks, for example, while others may restrict guests to certain meal services and the number of drinks per day.

Resorts may also offer different tiers of all-inclusive, and the high-end packages can offer better value than the basic ones if you plan to take full advantage of the service offerings.

Find the best flights

Many all-inclusive vacations don't include flights. With our flight search engine, we scan our 1,200+ partners, so you’re guaranteed the lowest price for your itinerary. You can even monitor flight prices with our price alerts. Simply pick your destination and dates, and we’ll send you price updates directly to your inbox.

Make and review your resort shortlist

Once you’ve narrowed your top resorts, research each more closely. Read resort reviews to see if travellers report positive things about the resort, while keeping in mind that no resort has perfect reviews. If you’re still having trouble deciding, read below for our top picks.

Our top all-inclusive resort picks

These all-inclusive vacation resorts are creating a splash with travellers.

A 15-minute drive from Cancun International Airport, Moon Palace Cancun is located on the south shore of Cancun in Riviera Maya, Mexico. With unlimited golf passes, a kid’s playroom, and the on-site nightclub NOIR, there’s something for every type of all-inclusive vacation traveller. There are also enough restaurants at the resort to dine somewhere new every day, with globally inspired cuisine, family-friendly pizza or burger spots, and lounges for enjoying wine and cocktails.

Suites include 24-hour room service and whirlpool bathtubs, which are ideal for unwinding after a day surfing the FlowRider Double Wave Simulator or finding balance with paddleboard yoga. If you’d rather relax poolside, Moon Palace staff can deliver snacks and drinks right to your lounge chair. If you’re looking for luxury, consider upgrading to The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun.

What Skyscanner travellers say about Moon Palace Cancun: “The Moon Palace resort is a one-stop shop for your vacation: as an all-inclusive, everything you could ever need is right there! Staff is friendly, the hotel and grounds are immaculate!”

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives offers 132 private villas, just steps from the turquoise waters or perched atop the emerald-green jungle. Your all-inclusive vacation here includes a daily breakfast buffet and lunch and dinner at some of the resort's several restaurants, plus an unlimited selection of wine, beer, spirits, and selected cocktails. Enjoy watersports, a nine-hole golf course, and Kandu Boli Ritual, the signature treatment at CHI, The Spa.

What Skyscanner travellers say about Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa: “Excellent family hotel. Good for sightseeing and has a beach nearby. Fantastic service. Beautiful beach.”

Located on the white-sand beaches and limestone cliffs of Negril, Jamaica, this all-inclusive vacation resort is ideal for those seeking a romantic hideaway. With only 12 cliffside cottages, The Caves is an adults-only all-inclusive resort that offers more intimacy and privacy than the typical mega-resort. 

The property includes a sea-view spa and two dining terraces, but its signature experience is a private dinner in the caves, followed by drinks at the cavernous Blackwell Rum Bar. For activities, check in with the on-site watersports director and cliff diving expert.

What Skyscanner travellers say about The Caves Hotel: “A beautiful little hotel, very welcoming with clean bright rooms, friendly helpful staff and a great view. How about those Caves, huh? Simply stunning!!”

Located on Vanua Levu in Fiji, this all-inclusive family resort is especially popular with kids and their parents, thanks to its nannies and buddies. That’s right, the family package includes a nanny for every child under six, a buddy for older kids in groups of five, and tailored programs for teens. The Bula Club for kids also offers a number of complimentary activities, from junior chef training with a visit to the resort’s organic garden to zipline and trampoline fun. Meanwhile, adults can find zen with a Fiji yoga session, a day at the spa, or relaxing poolside.

What Skyscanner travellers say about Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort: “Unbelievable place to travel with kids. The hotel comes with (not extra) a nanny for *each* kid. Our girls were happier with the nanny than with us! :)”

Located just outside of Puerto Natales, Chile, this five-star resort is truly singular. Designated a national heritage site in 1996, The Singular Patagonia Puerto Bories is a refurbished twentieth-century storage facility that features an on-site museum and 54 guestrooms. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase views of the Fjord of Last Hope Sound, Torres Del Paine National Park, and the Andes Mountains. 

Activities include cooking classes and guided horseback rides through the rugged Patagonian landscape. Complement these activities with a dip in the pool, a trip to the spa, and dinner at one of two award-winning restaurants.

What Skyscanner travellers say about The Singular Patagonia Hotel: “Seriously. The Singular Patagonia is truly one of the most amazing hotels I have ever stayed in.”

Book your all-inclusive vacation

Ready to sit by a pool and sip on a complimentary drink of your choice? Check out Skyscanner’s flight and hotel searches. Expand your search to everywhere to find some surprising resort destinations!