The 5 Best All-Inclusive Adventure Resorts in the Caribbean 

“Experience” has been one of the biggest buzz words in travel in recent years, and it’s no surprise why. Travelers want as many memorable experiences as they can pack into their vacations. What’s the other biggest buzz word? All-inclusive, a concept that continues to be the hottest thing in travel and the biggest driver of hotel growth in the Caribbean right now. 

But those two words don’t go together as frequently as you might think. At a small collection of Caribbean resorts, though, all-inclusive and adventure go hand in hand. These are the best all-inclusive adventure resorts, where you don’t just get your food and drink included in your stay — you get unforgettable, thrilling, fascinating memories, too. 

Los Establos Boutique Resort, Panama In short, it’s the best all-inclusive adventure resort in the Caribbean. This is Los Establos (the sister hotel to Antigua’s renowned Hammock Cove resort), a boutique resort in the mountains of Panama that has a marvelous menu of adventures for its guests — all included with their stay, provided every day of their trip. That ranges from canopy zip-lining to white-water rafting to waterfall hikes to a tour of hanging rope bridges. That’s just the beginning at Los Establos, set on a working coffee farm and the home of a magnificent five-star hospitality experience. 

Fort Young Hotel, Dominica It’s a new approach to all-inclusive, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean. The Fort Young calls it “island-included,” and the resort’s all-inclusive program is designed for the “colorful and curious who seek unconventional adventures distinct to Dominica.” What does that mean? It means every day of your stay, you can try a different, quintessentially Dominican experience: you can journey to hot springs or waterfalls or take a snorkeling tour or visit the island’s famous Emerald Pool. It’s a unique, thoughtful approach to all-inclusive and one that continues to draw travelers to the recently-transformed (and expanded) Fort Young. 

Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros The largest island in The Bahamas is a mysterious, rugged, pristine destination that’s a haven for adventurers: fishing (there’s a 140-mile-long coral reef along Andros), diving; kayaking; boating; hiking. The resort itself is a kind of adventure fantasy camp, with a wonderful,  friendly, communal vibe (everybody tends to eat their meals together at the end of the day and recount their stories) and the kind of ambience and hospitality you get in a place with more than seven decades of history. 

Cayo Espanto, Belize While much of Belize’s adventure offering is concentrated in the lush, verdant Cayo District, you can find an entirely different world of adventure in its stunning cayes. That includes the spectacular Cayo Espanto private-island resort, where you can do everything from birdwatching to fly fishing to scuba diving and snorkeling then retire to one of the resort’s fabulous luxury bungalows. And if you feel like exploring Belize’s fascinating Maya history and rainforests, the hotel can help you arrange that, too. 

Thatch Caye Belize Another great all-inclusive adventure option in Belize is the Thatch Caye overwater bungalow resort, a tiny private destination that is part of Belize’s Muy’Ono resort collection. The resort has a broad adventure offering, whether you want to journey out on the water, take an excursion to the jungle or try your best at fishing.