Some don’t know whether to go all-inclusive or not when traveling in the Caribbean or Mexico.  So here is a rough comparison between an all-inclusive or non-inclusive plan, when traveling to Mexico.

 So, a full day of meals for two at a resort area in Mexico can cost about $80, which is if you choose a house wine, after-dinner drinks and a tip to go along with the cost.  Two hours of kayaking with a local outfitter, at its least expensive would run about $60.  To go out for a night, you’d have to consider an entrance fee to a club or show, drinks and transportation to and from the chosen spot, this can come to roughly $50 for a couple.  The average rate for a nice, but non-pricey resort will run in low season for about $125 per room, per night.  And since you won’t be staying just one night, everything will have to be multiplied by three.  So that would come to $1,125 for a non-inclusive, three-night vacation in Mexico.  Also, keep in mind that the price for plane tickets is not included, either are the hotel taxes or gratuities, or the cost for babysitting, etc. if you are traveling with children.

 Now, compare this to an all-inclusive stay.  It would be approximately $774 total for an all-inclusive three-night stay in a mid-luxury resort in Mexico (not including flights).  This all-inclusive will regularly include transfers to and from hotel, the number of nights hotel, all meals and snacks, and all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, all non-motorized watersports, and other activities.  Also, many resorts have various activities and extras added in their all-inclusive plans that are specific to that resort or area.  For example, many hotels such as the Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, and the Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, include Children’s and Kid’s clubs included in the all-inclusive plan to provide a safe and fun environment for your children.  Also, many resorts have itineraries specific to the locale, such as shopping trips to Cancun, or trips to the Mayan Ruins.  Also, most all of the all-inclusive packages include free entry to their in-resort clubs or discos.

 Also, some destinations you may be more satisfied going non-inclusive.  If you are looking to go to various restaurants within the city, you may choose the non-inclusive, as the all-inclusive package includes only the restaurants within the resort (and on some occasions, the restaurants in the sister resorts as well).  All-inclusive plans are ideal for those looking for an easy way to enjoy their trip, and those looking for a lot of activities and entertainment.  The best way to decide on all-inclusive vs. non-inclusive is to research the area and weigh out the pros and cons according to your personal idea of a perfect vacation.

 Sol Melia has seven brands and more than 350 hotels around the world, but only two of their brands, Melia and Paradisus have all-inclusives.  These all-inclusive hotels are in Mexico in locations like Cozumel, Ixtapa, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya.  Among their resorts, Melia Puerto Vallarta, Melia Cabo Real, Melia Cozumel, Melia Azul Ixtapa and Paradisus Riviera Cancun are all-inclusive.

 Included in their all-inclusive plan is breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, night shows and entertainment, daily activities (like bartending lessons, aquaerobics, and dance classes), non-motorized watersports, access to the fitness center, kid’s club with supervised activities throughout the day, and taxes and gratuities.  Also, the Paradisus Riviear Cancun also offers ‘Life Enriching’ classes, such as candle making, painting, photography, wine tasting, Zen philosophy, star gazing, flower arranging, and tango classes.  They also have shopping trips to cancun throughout the week.

 Located in the heart of the Mayan Riviera, in Playa del Carmen, you will find the Hacienda Vista Real.  This all-suite, five-star resort offers an all-inclusive plan, giving you a plan of all dining, drinks, taxes and tips covered for free, along with a regular non-inclusive plan.

 All 76 suites are relaxed, comfortable, and decorated with the likes of marble, granite and natural wood.  The sophisticated rooms all offer tranquility with a number of perks, such as great views of the signature Playacar Golf Course, soft king-sized beds, satellite television, central air conditioning and bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs.  Their Royal Suites, gracefully decorated in Mayan décor, give you extra luxury with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a modern kitchen, a formal dining room, large living room, and large private balcony (perfect to watch the sunset from).

 On location, there are many services there to make your stay its best.  With an extensive tropical pool area, a private Caribbean beach club, Mayan-themed spa, business center, knowledgeable concierge staff (which serve all you requests, including travel arrangements, tours, health care, DVD rental, car rental, bicycle rental, childcare and laundry), and more, you can relax and indulge.  At the Sai Khao Beach Club (the resort’s private beach club) you are given exclusive use of the casual restaurant and bar, showers, palapas, reserved beach furnishings, and scheduled transportation to and from the hotel.

 The Vida Real Spa is a Mayan-inspired spa, with treatments equally inspired.  Here you can indulge in Mayan treatments such as the “Kin Ajaw,” which includes a massage that uses warm local herbs and essential oils to increase energy and vitality, or the “Pakal,” where you are treated to a lavish chocolate body wrap that enriches the skin, or you can exfoliate with cacao plant powder that will increase the production of endorphins, which will promote lasting happiness and relaxation.  Also in the spa, you can take advantage of their expert therapists, the Temazcal (a Mexican steam bath), fitness center, their thermae and thalasso rooms, smoothie bar and Zen garden.

 When staying here you can choose to go all-inclusive or not, either way, you get access to their high-rate restaurants.  The Jazmin restaurant lets you dine from their international menu, featuring Japanese and Thai-inspired dishes, while looking at the spectacular view of Cozumel’s island from your table.  At the Jazmin you can also experience what is known as the best sushi bar in Playa del Carmen.  The Iguana Grill is located pool side and serves gourmet Mexican favorites.  The Italian Deli, which is New York influenced, and is the best spot for salads, sandwiches and desserts.  And their pool bar area serves casual dining, along with an impressive domestic and international beverage menu.

 Set on thirteen secluded acres of beautiful sand, slanting into the Caribbean Sea, is the five-star, all-inclusive, Royal Hideaway Playacar.  This Occidental resort, you are sure to feel like royalty, treated with activities, environment and service fit for a star.  Even when you arrive, the attentive staff welcomes you with chilled champagne and an iced-towel.

 All rooms here offer roomy living areas, private terraces, expansive baths, beautiful views, satellite TV with DVD, a stereo system with CD player and more, and through different packages and plans you can get amenities specific to you.  Through the Royal Memories package you are presented with a collector’s edition book, photograph in a Mexican pewter frame, a Mayan tour of either Tulum-Xelha or Chichen Itza, dinner on the beach, embroidered terry cloth robes, Bvlgari toiletries, and a fresh fruit basket.  Through the Royal Relaxation plan you get perks similar to those in the Royal Memories package, but it also includes a Royal Spa Experience, which includes a massage, facial, pedicure and manicure and nightly turndown service.  if you stay at the Royal Hideaway Duplex Suite you receive a high level of indulgence.  When staying in this suite you receive Moet champagne when you enter your two-story suite, where you will see the spacious living room, which is located downstairs, and the expansive bedroom upstairs.  Located in the bedroom is the marble bathroom with a hydro massage bathtub, and later on you are treated to a lobster dinner.  They also offer their two and three-story villas, decorated in Spanish and Mexican colonial-style.

 Also on the premises are winding rivers, tranquil waterfalls and fountains, six swimming pools, daily activity programs by the pool and on the beach, nightly entertainment, games, complimentary internet access in the business center, a video library, an outfitted fitness center, land and water activities, and six a la carte restaurants (serving everything from Caribbean, Mexican, Italian, to Asian and more).

 You can experience the magic of the ancient Mayans and get a taste of the rich culture of Mexico at the Occidental Grand Xcaret.  Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, surrounded by dense jungle and lush tropical foliage, this all-inclusive resort sits along the Caribbean Sea on white sand beaches that fade into the turquoise waters.  The canals of the subterranean river wind through the Grand Xcaret’s premises, which are scattered with Mayan ruins and adventurous pathways.  With an attentive team and an all-inclusive plan, where nearly everything is included, you will build memories that will last you a lifetime.  This resort perfectly submerges you within the deep, rich history of an ancient civilization, while still pampering you lavishly.

 759 rooms make this resort and supply you with first-rate service all throughout your stay.  The grand Romance Junior Suite will make you feel like top priority, offering you with added perks such as a chilled bottle of bubbling champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, in-room couple massages, breakfast in bed, a romantic dinner for two, turndown service, along with other surprise amenities.  For an upgrade with more customized service, you can opt to move up to the Royal Club.  These suites come with a Jacuzzi style bathtub and admittance to the restricted-access VIP area, an exclusive restaurant, a dedicated concierge, a special pool, a fully-equipped business center, on-demand room service, and private check-in/check-out service.

 With all the free access included with the all-inclusive plan, and so many onsite aspects of this resort, you won’t have any need to step off the grounds.  Some of their facilities include: a large lagoon, private beach club (with bar and butler service), non-motorized water sports, two lake-shaped pools, tennis courts, gym, solarium, archery, shuffleboard, disco, sports programs, mini-golf, supervised kids activities (for children ages 2 to 12), eleven themed restaurants (serving everything from Asian fusion dishes, local Mexican cuisine, fresh caught seafood, and more), ten bars (with all drinks free of charge), a business center, conference facilities for up to 1,800 people, the world-class Occidental Grand Xcaret spa, free weddings, and a variety of honeymoon packages

 With your stay, each guest is given a pass to the neighboring, famous Xcaret Park, where you can explore nature through their butterfly farm, by snorkeling the ancient waterways, swimming with the dolphins in the lagoon, and spotting howling monkeys, flamingos, parrots and more throughout the park.

 The luxury Karisma hotels & resorts feature five all-inclusive properties in Riviera Maya.  These resorts offer a cozy atmosphere with a details-driven mentality.  The resorts are separated into two brands, El Dorada and Azul Hotels.  El Dorada is exclusively for adults, and seeks to please couples and honeymooners.  Azul Hotels are adults-oriented, but welcomes children just the same.  These hotels offer upscale accommodations and services, and feature a high-end take on the standard all-inclusive experience.

 They adopted the oath of “gourmet inclusive,” which shows their attention to top cuisine and creativity.  And their all-inclusive plans include pre-stocked bars, daytime and nighttime activities (such as Spanish lessons, live music shows, beach parties, cooking classes, tequila tastings, and more), non-motorized watersports, unlimited local and selected international premium liquor brands, concierge services, kid’s activities and taxes and gratuities.  Also, included in select properties are iPods prepared with your music predilections, pillow menus and wireless internet.

 Along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline you will find eight all-inclusive Iberostar properties, five of which form part of the Iberostar Playa Paraiso complex.  These resorts are located in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya, and include:  Iberostar Cozumel, Iberostar Paraiso Beach, Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar, Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, Iberostar Paraiso Maya, Iberostar Queztal, Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, and Iberostar Tucan.

 The Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in the Riviera Maya is the brand’s first adults-only, all suite hotel in Mexico.  This resort offers luxury to all their guests.  All the other resorts gear towards families, singles and couples alike.  Their all-inclusive plan includes all meals and snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, treats from mini-bars, room service, nighttime shows and entertainment (including access to onsite dance clubs for teens and adults), non-motorized watersports, gym access, daily activities (like dance classes, table tennis, archery, beach games and more specific activities to each resort), taxes and gratuities, scuba clinics at the pools, and children’s club, where they offer a variety of supervised games and activities.  Some activities and accommodations are specific to the resort, for example, the entire Playa Paraiso complex and it’s resorts have their own shopping center, and a 18-hole P.B. Dye golf course for an additional fee.  The complex also offers complimentary shuttle rides to nearby Playa del Carmen.

 Barcelo has become a big name in All-Inclusive Resorts, and though not all of their properties are all-inclusive, their hotels are still at the top for Mexico destinations.  Their all-inclusives are geared toward families with or without children and couples alike.  All of their ocean side locations have been carefully chosen to give you the beauty and luxury you expect. 

 In Mexico, the Resorts offered are Barcelo Costa Cancun, Barcelo Tucancun in Cancun, Barcelo Hautulco Beach, Barcelo Ixtapa Beach, Barcelo Los Cabos, Barcelo Karmina Palace in Manzanillo, Barcelo Maya Beach, Barcelo Maya Caribe Beach, Barcelo Maya Colonial Beach, Barcelo Maya Palace, Barcelo Maya Tropical Beach, and Barcelo La Jolla de Mismaloya in Puerto Vallarta.

 Included in their all-inclusive plans are meals and snacks at any of the resorts, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, daily and nightly activities (such as entrance to dance clubs, mini-golf, volleyball, live shows and more), snorkeling lessons, non-motorized water sports, kid’s club for ages 4-12, and taxes and gratuities.  They also offer their Premium Club services, which include: preferred reception desk area, personalized concierge service, access to the exclusive Premium Club Lounge (with internet service, snacks and drinks), priority seating and reservations at restaurants and more.

 The Almond Resorts in Barbados and St. Lucia puts into effect their For You, About You program, which caters to your needs and desires. Included in their all-inclusive plan is all meals (including lunch and dinner room service), all snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, taxes and tips, non-motorized watersports, land sports (including tennis, volleyball and squash), use of the fitness center, sauna and steam room, island picnics with transportation, shuttle service to Bridgetown and Castries for shopping, guided activities (like aerobics, cooking classes, dance lessons and yoga), kids’ clubs and nursery for children and teens, and live entertainment.  St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful, romantic destinations in the Caribbean, and where you will find the Piton Mountains.  The Piton Mountains bring you soft adventure and beautiful landscape.  You can drive or sail to the mountains, and once there you can hike its trails, or dine at Ladera’s Dasheene restaurant, which offers great views of the twin peaks and the ocean.

 The Elite Island Resorts open up destinations like Antigua and the Grenadines for the all-inclusive options.  One of their resorts, Galley Bay, is set between a bird sanctuary and the beach in Antigua, the Palm Island Resort is a private island with just 37 guestrooms, and the brand-new Verandah Resort & Spa just opened in October.  Their all-inclusive options vary widely from resort to resort, but at all Elite Island Resorts you can expect meals, non-motorized watersports, and alcoholic beverages.  And the Verandah Resort & Spa in Antigua offers windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking and hobie cats, along with three restaurants and four bars.  And if you plan to leave your resort, in Antigua you can take a trip to English Harbour, the island’s historic district, where you will find Nelson’s Dockyard, an 18th century British Naval port that has been restored.  You can also join the party at Shirley Heights, where locals and tourists join together for goof, music and dancing every Sunday.

 At Beaches, the other half of the Sandals empire, there is a complete turnaround when it comes to their target.  Rather than adults-only romance, Beaches has plenty additions designed to keep kids happy and families enjoying their time together.  Beaches caters perfectly to families.  The parents can enjoy the Beringer wines, romantic restaurants and included ceremonies for vow renewals and second marriages, while the kids spend time at the Xbox Game Oasis or the daily Sesame Street parades.  Included in their all-inclusive plan is all meals (including room service), all snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, watersports (including scuba diving), basic wedding packages and vow renewals packages, airport transfers, golf at select resorts, butler service in select suites, entertainment (including theme nights like “black and white night” or “reggae night,” beach parties with fire-eaters and limbo dancers and supervised kids’ activities and entertainment.  Beaches in Jamaica has access to most of the same tours as available at Sandals.  And Beaches Turks & Caicos offers bonefishing excursions, bike tours of North Caicos Mountain, a beach cruise geared toward iguana sightings, and, if you go at the right time, nighttime cruises to see the waters of Provo which light up with glowworms in the moonlight.

 The Iberostar Hotels and Resorts perfected themselves in the Dominican Republic and are now moving across the Caribbean to other islands.  From watersports to dance lessons, Iberostar offers many accommodations for families.  Included in their all-inclusive plan is all means (room service varies from resort to resort), all snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment (including after-dinner shows and kids’ club, land and non-motorized watersports (not including diving).  Outside of the resorts, you will find Punta Cana’s wide, white beaches, or Isla Saona, a government protected nature reserve.  You can also take a catamaran ride across the sea or snorkel and discover the undersea environment of starfish and more, or go birdwatching and spot the island’s many species of birds.

 Sunset Jamaica Grande and Sunset Beach Resort & Spa are kid-friendly all-inclusive links to the Sunset chain properties.  They offer water parks and high-rise accommodations.  Included in their all-inclusive plans are all meals, all drinks, all snacks, non-motorized watersports, fitness center access, use of tennis courts, evening entertainment, a weekly cocktail party.  At Sunset Beah Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, you can enjoy a free afternoon English tea, free entry to the Club Mongoose kids’ club, and the Pirates’ Paradise Water Park.  At Sunset Jamaica Grande includes weekly themed parties, Club Mongoose and a Jamrock Teen Center for kids above the age of 12.