Is the All-Inclusive Resort Lifestyle Worth it?
It’s no secret our preferred method of travel leans more towards the adventurous journey rather than the luxurious vacation. But after 10 years of frantic traveling can you believe we finally took a relaxing vacation? Neither can I. My Philosophy of visiting a new place has always been to embrace different cultures and immerse myself into exciting (and borderline dangerous) experiences. And since the Dominican Republic has been on my list for awhile, we decided to check out what the hype on the fancy resort life was about. Find out if All-Inclusive resorts are worth it from our experience in Punta Cana DR!
The All-Inclusive Resorts Dream
Although slightly overhyped, all inclusive resorts are marketed pretty well. Plus the unlimited food and drinks by a luxury beachside resort sounds like every alcoholic’s dream. With no shortage of resort options to choose from, we chose the Ocean El Faro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It has every premier amenity imaginable including multiple pools, 8 themed restaurants, 2 swim-up bars, a spa, a club, free performances plus access to a private beach. It is the perfect place to unwind and forget about the stressful work-life routine. For 4 nights the total was around $1,000 USD. The property is massive, so it’s easy to spend days just stumbling upon new restaurants and random activities.
Our All-Inclusive Resort Experience & Honest Review
While everything looks amazing on paper, there are definitely somethings to be aware of. First of all there always seemed to be an upgrade to access certain restaurants, pool areas, and other amenities. If you’re sticking with the “poor” version, expect to have limited access to the resort’s features. Despite the food being all you can eat, many restaurants were only available on certain days and reservations were often required which pretty much killed the structure-free relaxation vibe. The food was decent, but it didn’t feel like enough options for Dominican cuisine were offered. Although everything is supposedly all included, tips were still expected for pretty much every service interaction so plan on bringing lots cash in small bills. Of course the main idea is to just kick back and relax by the beach or pool, but unless you woke up at the crack of dawn, almost every single chair/sunbed was taken. Also being surrounded exclusively by tourists just made the chiasm between Dominican culture and tourist trap even more apparent. The nightly performance shows were pretty entertaining though. Overall it was a fun experience but for those seeking cultural immersion, history, interacting with locals, and adventurous experiences might find all-inclusive resorts a bit lacking.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Bucket List (Outside the All-Inclusive Resort)
One contention I have with spending the entire time at the all-inclusive resort is missing out on all the unique experiences the country has to offer. I suppose it is possible to mix a bit of both worlds by adding in some excursions to the trip. Here’s a few of the amazing things to discover that we would love to visit on our next trip to Punta Cana, DR.
- Bavaro Beach
- Saona Island
- Catamaran Party boat
- Scape Park & Hoyo Azul
- ATV 4×4 ride
- Macao Beach
- Coco Bongo Punta Cana
- Altos de Chavon
- Salto de la Jalda waterfall
- Day Trip to Santo Domingo
So are All-Inclusive Resorts a Scam?
Okay maybe the word scam is a bit harsh in this context, but there are a bunch of cost-to-value benefits to consider. Sure eating & drinking for free by the beach for 5 days sounds like a good deal until you realize hotels and dining outside the resort are a fraction of the price. Also staying within the confines of the resort offers only a narrow perception of the country. The vibe of the resort can be too touristy at times and lacks that authentic Dominican culture that makes traveling so interesting.
While All-Inclusive resorts aren’t a scam, they do rob travel enthusiasts from experiencing the true soul of a country. That being said, I still had a great time and would try it again despite not being my preferred method of traveling. At least now the distinction between vacationing and traveling is even more clear. Most people travel to escape their lives, but true travelers travel to add to it. Which path will you choose? Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Find out the 5 top reasons why we hate All-Inclusive Resorts here!
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