You’ve booked the all-inclusive resort, started watching the weather and pulled the suitcase out of storage. Then you discover that the French restaurant requires long pants and the only shoes you packed are flip-flops.
Guess you’re eating at the buffet tonight.
Dress codes are one of the most common surprises for first-time all-inclusive resort guests, but they aren’t the only one. After visiting more than 235 resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, I’ve seen travelers lose dinner options, overpay for basic supplies and give up half a vacation day to a sales presentation they never wanted to attend.
Here are ten mistakes to avoid before and during your all-inclusive resort vacation.
Mistake #1: Not Checking the All-Inclusive Resort Dress Code
Most all-inclusive resorts are casual during the day, but restaurants may have different dress codes for dinner.
Some allow dress shorts and sandals. Others require men to wear long pants, a collared shirt and closed-toe shoes. The policy can even vary between restaurants at the same resort.
Check the current rules before packing. Don’t assume that “resort casual” means the same thing everywhere.
What does resort casual mean?
Resort casual usually means relaxed clothing that is appropriate outside the pool and beach areas.
For breakfast and lunch, that may include:
- Shorts
- T-shirts or casual tops
- Sundresses
- Casual skirts or pants
- Sandals
- Swimsuits covered by a shirt, dress or cover-up
Restaurants generally require shirts and footwear. A swimsuit alone usually isn’t acceptable, even at a casual buffet.
Wet swimwear may also be prohibited on dining-room furniture. If you’re coming directly from the pool, dry off and put on a proper cover-up before lunch.
What does resort evening mean?
Resort evening, casual elegance and smart casual usually call for something more polished than daytime clothing.
The exact interpretation varies, but common options include dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, trousers, polished shorts, collared shirts and dressier sandals or shoes.
You probably don’t need a suit, tie or formal gown. You do need something beyond a swimsuit, gym clothes or the T-shirt you wore on the flight.
What can women wear to dinner at an all-inclusive resort?
Women can generally wear:
- A casual dress or sundress
- A skirt with a blouse or polished top
- A jumpsuit or romper
- Linen pants with a top
- Dressier shorts where permitted
- Sandals, wedges or other appropriate shoes
Some restaurants are more relaxed than others. Beachfront restaurants may permit casual sandals, while a formal à la carte restaurant may expect dressier footwear.
What can men wear to dinner at an all-inclusive resort?
Depending on the restaurant, men may be able to wear:
- A polo or collared shirt
- A short-sleeve button-down shirt
- Dress shorts
- Chinos or linen pants
- Jeans without holes
- Loafers, boat shoes or clean dress sandals
The safest packing choice is at least one collared shirt, one pair of lightweight long pants and one pair of closed-toe shoes. That combination should cover the stricter restaurants at many resorts.
Can men wear shorts to dinner?
Sometimes.
Many casual restaurants permit polished or tailored shorts. Other restaurants require long pants for men after a certain time.
Don’t rely on photos of other guests or comments from someone who visited three years ago. Dress-code policies and enforcement can change.
Check the individual restaurant listings on the resort website or app. If the information is unclear, ask the resort or your travel advisor before departure.
Are sandals allowed at all-inclusive resort restaurants?
Casual sandals are often permitted, particularly for women. Flip-flops may be prohibited at dinner even when dress sandals are allowed.
Some restaurants require men to wear closed-toe shoes. Others accept dress sandals or clean leather sandals.
Again, the individual restaurant policy wins.
What should you pack if the policy is unclear?
Bring at least one dinner outfit that meets a stricter standard.
For men, pack long pants, a collared shirt and closed-toe shoes. For women, pack a dress, jumpsuit or polished separates with dinner-appropriate footwear.
That’s easier than discovering on the first night that half the resort’s restaurants are off-limits because of one missing pair of pants.
Mistake #2: Not Asking Which Liquor Brands Are Included
An all-inclusive plan may include alcohol without including every brand behind the bar.
If you order “a vodka soda,” the bartender will probably use the resort’s standard house vodka. If you prefer a particular brand, ask whether it’s included before ordering.
Some premium brands may:
- Be included in the standard plan
- Only be available in upgraded club areas
- Cost extra
- Be stocked at certain bars but not others
- Be unavailable at the resort
The same applies to wine. House wine may be included, while bottles from a separate wine list cost extra.
Ask what is included instead of assuming every bottle you see is part of the package.
And if you want a better cocktail, tell the bartender what you like. “Not too sweet, with tequila and lime” is more useful than ordering a colorful drink from a photo and hoping for the best.
Mistake #3: Not Packing Enough Sunscreen and Basic Supplies
Resort shops are convenient. They are rarely where you want to buy a week’s worth of sunscreen.
Selection can be limited, and toiletries, medication and sun-care products often cost more than they would at home. Pack enough for the entire trip, especially if two people will be reapplying throughout the day.
Bring:
- Sunscreen
- After-sun lotion
- Insect repellent
- Pain relievers
- Stomach medication
- Any prescription medication
- Personal toiletries
- Contact-lens supplies
- Feminine-care products
- A small first-aid kit
Keep essential medication in your carry-on, not your checked bag.
Some parks, marine excursions and protected areas restrict certain sunscreen ingredients. Check the rules for your planned activities before choosing what to bring.
Mistake #4: Dragging Your Own Luggage Across the Resort
Many all-inclusive resorts are much larger than they appear in photos.
Your room may be several buildings away from the lobby, up a hill or across a property where guests normally use golf carts or shuttles. There is no prize for hauling a heavy suitcase through the heat.
Let the bell staff deliver your luggage.
When it’s time to leave, call early enough for pickup. Resorts can get busy during the morning departure rush, and your airport transfer won’t wait because your suitcase is still in the room.
Confirm where the bags will be stored and whether you need to collect them at the lobby before boarding your transfer.
Mistake #5: Arriving Without a Tipping Plan
The word “all-inclusive” does not automatically tell you whether tipping is permitted, prohibited or already included.
Policies vary by resort and brand. Some resorts welcome cash tips. Others prohibit most employees from accepting them, with possible exceptions for positions such as butlers, spa providers or private transfer drivers.
Check the resort’s current policy before arrival.
If tipping is permitted, bring small bills or appropriate local currency. Airport drivers, bell staff, housekeepers, servers and bartenders may all be difficult to tip if the smallest bill you have is $100.
And you don’t have to figure out the amounts on your own. When you book your all-inclusive vacation through KP Travel Group, your pre-travel information includes tipping guidelines for your destination and resort experience. You’ll know who you may want to tip, when to tip and how much cash to bring before you leave home.
Tipping should recognize good service. It should not be treated as a way to purchase basic attention at a resort where you’ve already paid for service.
Mistake #6: Assuming Everything Is Included
“All-inclusive” does not mean every service, bottle and activity on the property is included.
Common inclusions may cover:
- Accommodations
- Meals at designated restaurants
- House-brand drinks
- Nonmotorized water activities
- Resort entertainment
- Fitness facilities
- Some kids’ club programming
Common extras may include:
- Spa services
- Golf
- Off-property excursions
- Motorized water sports
- Private dinners
- Premium wine and liquor
- Cabana rentals
- Babysitting
- Certain room-service items
- Laundry
- Photography
- Medical services
Inclusions vary considerably. One resort may include room service around the clock, while another charges a delivery fee or limits the menu. One may include snorkeling equipment, while another charges for a guided snorkeling trip.
Read the inclusions before booking and review them again before departure.
The experience also changes considerably between resort levels. Here’s what you may notice when comparing 3-star versus 5-star all-inclusive resorts.
Mistake #7: Losing Vacation Time to a Sales Presentation
You may be approached about a vacation club or membership shortly after check-in.
The invitation might be presented as:
- A welcome meeting
- A resort orientation
- A VIP breakfast
- A tour of an upgraded room
- An opportunity to receive resort credits
- A brief presentation in exchange for an excursion or spa discount
Ask directly whether the meeting includes a vacation-club or membership sales presentation.
These presentations can take longer than expected and often involve persistent sales tactics. If you aren’t interested in buying a membership, decline and continue with your vacation.
You do not owe anyone a meeting because they offered a coupon, breakfast or upgraded bottle of wine.
If you choose to attend, understand the time commitment and read every financial term before signing anything. A purchase that takes minutes to approve can be much harder to unwind later.
Mistake #8: Overdoing the Food, Drinks and Sun
Unlimited does not mean your body suddenly has unlimited capacity.
Strong sun, dehydration, travel fatigue and more alcohol than usual are a rough combination. It’s easy to feel fine at the swim-up bar and feel very differently two hours later.
Drink water throughout the day, eat regularly and reapply sunscreen. Give yourself time to adjust after arriving, especially if you had an early flight or a long travel day.
The same goes for food. Try the restaurants and order what interests you, but you don’t have to sample six entrées at dinner because they’re included.
Losing an entire day of the trip to a preventable headache or upset stomach is a bad return on your vacation dollars.
Mistake #9: Refusing to Try Anything New
An all-inclusive resort is a low-risk place to try something unfamiliar.
If a drink, appetizer or entrée sounds interesting, order it. If you don’t care for it, you can choose something else without paying for two full meals.
Try the local restaurant instead of eating every dinner at the steakhouse. Ask the bartender about a regional spirit. Join an activity you wouldn’t normally choose.
That doesn’t mean ignoring allergies, dietary restrictions or common sense. Communicate food allergies clearly and ask how the resort handles cross-contact before ordering.
You don’t need to spend the week proving how adventurous you are. Just don’t travel all the way to Mexico and eat nothing but cheeseburgers because the menu looks unfamiliar.
Mistake #10: Booking the Wrong Resort or Rate Plan
This is the most expensive mistake on the list.
Two all-inclusive resorts in the same destination can provide completely different vacations. One may have a quiet atmosphere and excellent food, while the resort next door revolves around foam parties and poolside drinking contests.
Before booking, consider:
- Adults-only or family-friendly
- Quiet or active atmosphere
- Beach quality and swimming conditions
- Resort size and layout
- Food and drink quality
- Restaurant policies
- Nightlife
- Kids’ and teen activities
- Room condition and location
- Accessibility
- Airport-transfer time
- What is and isn’t included
Also verify the rate plan.
Some properties sell all-inclusive and room-only rates side by side. A European Plan generally means the room is included but meals and drinks are not. Other plans may include breakfast or a limited number of meals.
A surprisingly low rate may be low because it isn’t the all-inclusive plan you intended to book.
Choosing the region matters too. Use my guide to compare Mexico’s major all-inclusive destinations before assuming Cancun, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta provide the same experience.
Choosing the Right All-Inclusive Resort
Resort websites are good at making every property look appealing. They are less helpful when you need to know whether the dinner reservations are frustrating, the beach is difficult to swim or the least expensive room overlooks the service area.
I’ve personally visited more than 235 resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. That gives me a much better basis for comparing properties than star ratings, marketing photos or one angry online review.
There is no resort that wins every category. The goal is to choose the one whose strengths matter to you and whose weaknesses you can live with.
If you need help choosing the destination first, download my free all-inclusive resort destination guide.
If you’re ready to compare specific resorts, schedule a complimentary vacation consultation. We’ll talk about your dates, budget and priorities before narrowing down the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dress code at an all-inclusive resort?
Most all-inclusive resorts allow casual clothing during the day, but dinner policies vary by restaurant. Some permit dress shorts and sandals, while others require men to wear long pants, a collared shirt and closed-toe shoes. Check the current rules for each restaurant before packing.
Do men need long pants at all-inclusive resort restaurants?
Some restaurants require men to wear long pants, especially venues described as resort evening, casual elegance or formal. Other restaurants allow dress shorts. Pack at least one pair of lightweight long pants so you have access to stricter venues.
Can you wear shorts to dinner at an all-inclusive resort?
Many casual restaurants allow polished shorts, but some à la carte restaurants require long pants for men. The rules may differ between restaurants at the same resort.
Are sandals allowed at all-inclusive resort restaurants?
Dress sandals are often allowed, but flip-flops may be prohibited at dinner. Some restaurants require men to wear closed-toe shoes. Review the individual restaurant policy rather than relying on a resort-wide description.
Should you tip at an all-inclusive resort?
It depends on the resort. Some allow and welcome tips, while others prohibit most employees from accepting them. Check the resort’s policy before arrival and bring small bills or appropriate local currency if tipping is permitted.
Is everything really included at an all-inclusive resort?
No. Accommodations, designated meals and house drinks are commonly included, but spa services, excursions, premium alcohol, golf, cabanas and other upgrades may cost extra. Inclusions vary by resort and rate plan.
How do you avoid an all-inclusive resort sales presentation?
Ask whether any welcome meeting, VIP breakfast or resort orientation includes a vacation-club presentation. If you aren’t interested, decline the invitation and any incentives tied to attending it.
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