Are you getting a great deal? After all, that is why we would buy Aruba all inclusive vacations or any all inclusive vacation for that matter. We want the best deal!
To answer that question, I have to start by asking “What is included and what is not included in Aruba All Inclusive Vacations?”
Usually, airfare is NOT included, unless you book your trip through a travel agent, or an online travel company such as
Hotels.com.
In these cases, the plane tickets are calculated into the “all inclusive” price. This final price also usually includes any travel agent’s or online booking fees.
What is included once you arrive varies depending on the all inclusive resort. For the most part the price per night includes:
- Nightly Accommodations
- All meals and snacks at designated restaurants within the resort
- Beverages (beer, wine and any liquor that’s available at the resort — these won’t be top-shelf, but may include brand names)
- Use of the pool(s)
- Use of the resorts amenities (tennis courts, beach game area, etc.)
- Use of non motorized water sports (i.e. snorkel gear, kayaks, windsurfing equipment)
So besides airfare, what is not included in the an All Inclusive Vacation?
Well for starters, the windsurfing equipment is available, but you better know how to use it. Windsurfing lessons are extra. That goes for tennis, kayaking rock climbing and whatever else the resorts amenities have to offer. Instruction classes are not included.
The spa and beauty salon are extra as well, even if it is on the resort property.
Anything outside of the resort of course is on your own dime. A round of golf at The Links at Divi Aruba, for example, 18 holes - $85.
Obviously, whatever you want to lose at the local casinos.
And what if you wanted to take your significant other on that romantic sunset dinner cruise? Aruba offers the most exquisite dinner cruises…That is extra as well, so your “all inclusive” dinner at the resort that night, is paid for, but not eaten.
I don’t know about you, but that feels kind of restricted to me. I would want to try that authentic Caribbean seafood restaurant in town, or take that dinner cruise, or go on a snorkel tour that offers lunch and drinks, and not feel like my money at the resort is being wasted.
If you don’t want to leave the resort for your entire vacation, Aruba All Inclusive vacations are great.
But in my opinion, they are not the bargain that they first seem to be. Aside from meals (that you may or may not eat) and drinks, Aruba all inclusive vacations don’t offer anything more than the other resorts offer. With a little planning and preparation, you can put together your own Aruba vacation plan that includes those exciting off-the-resort excursions for around the same price (or less) than the not so All Inclusive package.
Top of Aruba All Inclusive Vacations Page
Aruba-Sunsets Home Page
