There’s something to be said for easy all-inclusive vacations: a nonstop flight, a reasonable drive from the airport, all-inclusive food and beverage and unlimited sun and sand.
But some vacations are even easier than others.
Several Caribbean destinations have particular corners that have perfected the easy all-inclusive vacation, with easy-to-reach hotels, overwhelming comfort and a quality of choice. And, perhaps most importantly, a sufficient offering of nonstop flights.
But what isn’t always easy is actually finding — and deciding — where to stay. But we have you covered, with everything from adults-only hotels to wellness retreats to family-friendly properties.
For pure, unadulterated relaxation, it’s a vacation that’s hard to beat.
Here are the five easiest all-inclusive vacations to try right now in the Caribbean, with a host of places to stay in every one.
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall.
Montego Bay, Jamaica Within a very short drive of Sangster International Airport there is an almost remarkably broad collection of all-inclusive options, from the practically just-across the street Sandals Montego Bay to the iconic Sandals Royal Caribbean. Looking for a wellness getaway? There’s the Zen-filled Zoëtry Montego Bay, while you can find your family-friendly getaway at the Hyatt Ziva in Rose Hall. What you’ll find at each of them is the best of the Jamaican hospitality experience, along with all-inclusives that manage to incorporate a great deal of local flavor, too.
Punta Cana There’s a reason why the Dominican Republic gets more visitors each year than any other destination in the Caribbean, and the vast majority of them come here to the blindingly white sand of the country’s eastern tip. Within minutes of Punta Cana International Airport, you’ll find an impossibly vast collection of all-inclusive getaways at a host of price points. That ranges from the decidedly budget-friendly Riu Republica (an adults-only) to the group of Barcelo-branded resorts on Bavaro Beach to the best in the area, the recently-opened Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.
Cocobay in Antigua.
Antigua In recent years, Antigua has quietly become a hub of terrific all-inclusive hotels, most of which are a far cry from the mostly sprawling all-inclusives you’ll find in the rest of the region. You’ll find on this island smaller, lower-density retreats with an emphasis on authenticity. But what you don’t lose is the comfort and the easiness. The experiences range from dreamy stays at properties like the legendary Galley Bay to rustic-chic retreats at Cocobay to the throwback beach getaway at the Pineapple Beach Club to an elegant, clubby (and very family-friendly) all-inclusive vacation at Curtain Bluff. Antigua isn’t always thought of as an all-inclusive destination — but that’s what makes it so wonderful.
The Melia in Nassau.
Nassau and Paradise Island, Bahamas In the shadow of two of the largest hotels in the Caribbean (The Baha Mar and Atlantis), you’ll find an impressive selection of all-inclusive options. On Cable Beach, just a short drive from Lynden Pindling International Airport, you’ll find Sandals Royal Bahamian and the Melia Nassau. If you journey to Paradise Island, you’ll find two more great options: the adults-only Warwick Paradise Island, and the recently transformed (and also adults-only) Riu Palace Paradise Island, with the latter set on the spectacular Cabbage Beach.
Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Mexico What’s the busiest airport in the Caribbean? It may not be where you think. Because it’s in the heart of the Caribbean coast of Mexico in Cancun. This booming destination has an unparalleled number of all-inclusive hotels set across a number of “poles” along the coast. That ranges from wellness-focused getaways like the Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun to another Zoetry property, the world-class Zöetry Paraiso de la Bonita in the fishing village of Puerto Morelos. Another favorite? The recently-rebranded Hilton Playa del Carmen, the product of fast-expanding Playa’s new alliance with Hilton.