All Inclusive Resorts By Value
High season vs. Low season
In all of the Caribbean “high season” runs from December through April, and the “peak season” is the last week of December and the first week of January. In May and November you might find “shoulder season” rates in some places, and generally June through October is the “low season.”
The list below is ranked based on high season rates because that’s when most people visit the Caribbean, but it’s worth looking closely if you are going in the off season because the order would be quite different, and some destinations are far cheaper while others only drop prices a bit. The price ranges below do not include air fare.
Rates below are approximate per night for the cheapest rooms at each resort, for two guests, with all meals and drinks included. Most resorts charge a bit more for ocean-view rooms as well as for premium food items and top-shelf beverages
In all of the Caribbean “high season” runs from December through April, and the “peak season” is the last week of December and the first week of January. In May and November you might find “shoulder season” rates in some places, and generally June through October is the “low season.”
The list below is ranked based on high season rates because that’s when most people visit the Caribbean, but it’s worth looking closely if you are going in the off season because the order would be quite different, and some destinations are far cheaper while others only drop prices a bit. The price ranges below do not include air fare.
Rates below are approximate per night for the cheapest rooms at each resort, for two guests, with all meals and drinks included. Most resorts charge a bit more for ocean-view rooms as well as for premium food items and top-shelf beverages
#1 Cancun
While it’s not a Caribbean island like those listed below, we are including Cancun because it has endless Caribbean beaches, and it’s easily the cheapest choice for an all-inclusive holiday. The area has over 50 hotels that are fully all inclusive or offer an all-inclusive option, all the way up and down the price range. As obvious a choice as it may be, Cancun does have a lot going for it, including cheap nonstop flights from all over North American and even Europe. One thing to be careful of is that that there are quite a few dogs mixed in at the lower price ranges, so it’s important to check the reviews before you commit. Those who book carefully will be getting the best value for money in the Caribbean. Nearest airport: Cancún International Airport (code: CUN) Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities |
# 2 Dominican Republic
With nearly 60 hotels that offer all-inclusive deals, Punta Cana has the greatest concentration of these resorts on any Caribbean island. The resort area occupies the far eastern tip of the Dominican Republic and the hotel beaches can either face northeast or southeast. The busy local airport gets direct flights in from all over North America and Europe, and airfares are reasonable for the Caribbean. With so many to choose from, Punta Cana has resorts big and small, up and down the price range, though it’s worth noting that a few of the cheapest places tend to get a lot of negative reviews from guests. The vast majority of hotels here are in the same general price range, and most offer very good value for the region. Nearest airport: Punta Cana International Airport (code: PUJ) Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities |
#3 Montego Bay, Jamaica
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# 4 Negril, Jamaica
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Featuring about 20 hotels that offer all-inclusive options, Montego Bay in Jamaica has a few rather affordable resorts, but most of them are at least a bit up the price ladder, well over US$200 per night in high season. That said, the resorts here also tend to get very good reviews from past guests, so this should be a great-value option for those who can afford a bit more than the Caribbean minimum. Being in between Ocho Rios and Negril, and being home to the entire area’s major airport, Montego Bay also has the fastest connections from the plane to your hotel, so it’s also an ideal option for a long weekend trip where every minute counts. Nearest airport: Sangster International Montego Bay Airport (code: MBJ) Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities |
Located on Jamaica’s west coast, just around the corner from Montego Bay, Negril has nearly 20 resorts that offer all-inclusive options. This popular and long strip of hotels is where you’ll find Jamaica’s best bargains for those who prefer to pay for food and drinks separately, but its all-in resorts are more geared for the mid to upper range guest. As with the others, you’ll fly into Montego Bay and then take a shuttle to your Negril resort, so you can get good airfare and nonstop flights from all over. Quality in Negril is generally high, but it runs the gamut so the area draws a mix of budget party people up to the luxury crowd. Nearest airport: Sangster International Montego Bay Airport (code: MBJ) Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities |
# 5 St Lucia
More remote and a bit more exotic than most of the choices above, St. Lucia is perhaps the best value island outside of the large ones off the tip of Florida. The island has about 15 resorts that offer all-inclusive options or are completely all inclusive, and most of those are in the middle range of prices for the Caribbean. Finding cheap airfare to St. Lucia is often the tricky part of doing it on a budget, so that’s the price you pay for getting off the beaten path a bit, but if you can find an airfare+hotel package that looks good then it’s definitely worth a good look. Nearest airport: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) Nonstop flights from: Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, New York-JFK, Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson, London-Gatwick, Frankfurt |
#6 Aruba
Just off the coast of Venezuela, the island of Aruba is somewhat different compared to most Caribbean islands, with a dry climate all year round. The island has quite a few good bargains for those interested in traditional beach resorts, but its 10 or so all-inclusive resorts tend to be aimed primarily at the upmarket crowd. During the autumn months you can get relative bargains at all-inclusive resorts on Aruba, which is even better considering it still gets almost no rain and is usually clear of the main hurricane zones. The island continues to be popular with Europeans, and airfares are quite reasonable from most major cities. Nearest airport: Queen Beatrix International Airport (code: AUA) Nonstop flights from: Atlanta, Baltimore, Orlando, Miami, New York-JFK, Boston, Chicago-O’Hare, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Toronto-Pearson, Amsterdam, Milan-Malpensa Credits to Price of Travel and VacationExpress |
