You have a budget of $2000.00 per person for your vacation to an all-inclusive resort. That's all you need, right? Wrong, there are extra costs that you will most likely need to cover
If you are planning your first vacation, or maybe your first vacation in a few years to an all-inclusive resort you may be thinking you won't be spending any more than what the vacation package cost. But there are lots of little expenses that add up. There are also a lot of extras that you can add to your vacation if you are willing to pay the costs.
Tipping
There is a misconception that tips are included in your all-inclusive package. Sandals Resorts was the first all-inclusive resort chain, and they do have, and have always had, a strict no-tipping policy as they do consider them included in what you pay. The only staff you are allowed to tip at Sandals are your butler if you have one. Besides Sandals Resorts there are no other resort chains that do not allow tipping, so when you receive good service you should thank the staff with a tip. I typically budget about $250.00 - $300.00 for 7 nights when traveling with my husband, but the amount you tip is definitely up to you. When we used to travel with our kids, we would budget a bit more because the staff would be serving more of us.
Airport Parking
Unless you live next door to the airport (which would be rather convenient for me, lol) or have really great friends or family who don't mind getting up at ungodly hours to drop you off or pick you up, then you will most likely have the cost of either parking at the airport or a taxi to get there and back home. Depending on the airport you are flying out of, and how close to want to park, or if you would like valet service, these costs can really vary, from about $40.00 -$300.00 for 7 nights and 8 days, which is the typical length of an all-inclusive stay.
Airport Hotel
Depending on how far you live from the airport and the time of your flight you may want to get a hotel the night before your departure flight and/or the night you arrive back in Canada. I live about halfway between two international airports, about an hour and a half from one and about 2 hours from the other. If I have an international flight anytime before about 10:00 am I want a hotel the night before so that I can get a little more sleep. I live in Alberta which means winter driving can be a nightmare and very unpredictable. Do I want to wake up to blowing snow and icy roads that are going to make my 2 hour drive a 4 hour drive that I didn't account for timewise? I also don't want a flat tire to be the demise of my vacation because I missed my flight. A hotel at the airport will vary in price from about $80.00 to $400.00 a night, depending on the city you are in, how close to the airport you want to be, and the quality of the hotel.
Excursions
No matter how much you enjoy the all-inclusive resort you are staying at you should get out and do at least one or two excursions, go explore a little on your own, or go out for a meal or two. If you go to a country and only stay on a resort, can you actually say you have been to that country if you have not experienced any of the local culture, cuisine, or history? Getting out and immersing yourself in the local lifestyle can cost as little as a taxi ride to a local town or village where you can wander around, a meal out, or there are so many different organized tours and excursions that can be chosen from in every destination. I like to wander on my own, or if I do a tour, I like to spend a little more and hire a private guide rather than be on a big bus full of people.
Travel Insurance
I've heard it a million times "I don't need insurance, there is nothing that will make me cancel this trip". But what happens if one of your parents passes away, or your child gets injured or sick? There are so many reasons that could actually cause you to cancel. If you are comfortable with the possibility of losing your non-refundable payment to the tour operator then at the very least you will want medical insurance. It is so easy to slip on a pool deck or trip over a rock and end up with a broken bone, which could cost you thousands of dollars. There are many options available to protect both the investment of your vacation money and yourself that we can discuss. Depending on the options you go with you will need to budget somewhere between $60.00 - $300.00 per person for your week-long vacation.
Souvenirs
You will probably want to bring something home to remember your trip by, or you have kids you left at home or a dogsitter you have to buy for. I travel a lot so I don't buy a lot, but I do always buy a Christmas decoration to add to my tree so I can remember all the places I have been. When my kids were younger and I would travel, instead of bringing them home things that would clutter their rooms, I bought them local candy from the destination I visited. Souvenirs can be little trinkets or candy that don't cost a whole lot, or t-shirts and ballcaps that are moderately priced. Some people like to bring home local artwork that can cost quite a bit more. Souvenirs can really range in price so I suggest you just set yourself a budget for what you will spend on them and try to stick with it.
Extra Resort Costs
Yes, it's true that All-inclusive packages include your flights, transfers, hotel, meals, beverages, and entertainment, but most resorts still have some additional things that you can purchase above and beyond that while you are there. A few of these things are:
- top-shelf liquor, domestic beer, and better bottles of wine that are not included
- some resorts charge for their waterparks, surf riders, arcades, bowling, etc.
- some resorts do not include wi-fi
- some resorts have restaurants or meals that are additional if you want to dine at them
- some resorts have evening entertainment that is additional if you want to attend them
When you book your vacation with me, I go over these types of amenities that may not be included at each resort I suggest to you, so that you are aware of them before you book.
All The Little Extras that add up
You will want to do advance seat selection if it's really important to you that you sit with the person or people you are traveling with, or if you really want a window seat, an aisle seat, or want a particular row. If you're really tall you might want to splurge for seats with extra leg room. Then there are things like sunscreen, and bug spray, maybe your kids have grown out of their summer clothes and need new vacation clothes, and of course, you are going to need to eat either before you board your flight, or on the flight, or both. All these little things can add up to another $200.00 - $300.00 or possibly more.
Don't get caught by surprise when you are planning your vacation, and be sure that when you are budgeting you include all these little extras that you want or need. Also, don't be surprised by your resort, and what they do include and don't include as not all All-inclusive resorts are created equally.
For more details or to book a vacation contact me: toesinthesand@tpi.ca or 403-348-1644
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