What could be better than spending your vacation lounging at an all-inclusive resort? With mouthwatering meals, exquisite spa services, and cozy, comfy bedrooms, it seems like you couldn’t ask for a better experience.
But what if we told you there’s so much more to life than staying in a cushy hotel? After all, the whole point of visiting a new, exciting location is being able to enjoy all of the sights and sounds that you can’t experience anywhere else.
Staying at the resort may seem like a good idea, but you just might end up missing out on a world of opportunities. Here’s the hidden downside to never leaving the resort—and what you can do instead!
Limited Dining Options
I think we can all agree that one of the best things about visiting a new place is getting to try all of the incredible food! Whether you’re dining at one of the resort restaurants or having breakfast in bed, enjoying the cuisine is always something to look forward to.
Unfortunately, hotel restaurants tend to have a set menu, which can get a little stale. If you’re a foodie, there’s a strong chance that you won’t be satisfied with these static dining options during your vacation.
When you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this, there’s no point in limiting yourself to a handful of restaurants. Monotonous meals can put a damper on your stay, so why not try something a little more bold?
What To Do Instead
If you want to venture outside the resort and spice up your dining options, we highly recommend going on a food tour. Typically offered as a one-day event, these excursions can offer a safe, guided tour that allows you to try out a variety of local dishes.
For those who don’t mind a strong drink now and then, you’ll want to try a wine tasting during your trip. While this may not be a good fit for family vacations, couples and single travelers are certainly in for a treat.
On this incredible journey, you deserve an authentic experience, one that you can cherish for the rest of your life. If you want to make it count, why not dine with the locals? Ask around for the best restaurants, and trust that they’ll point you in the right direction for an unforgettable meal.
Lack of Activities
Lately, resorts have been becoming more and more lavish, pulling out all the stops to make sure that guests are having fun. Onsite activities and events can be nice, but what do you do when you’ve done it all?
Staying onsite can prevent you from exploring a wider variety of excursions and adventures, limiting your overall experience. With limited activities to choose from, there’s a strong chance that you’ll get bored pretty quickly.
While this isn’t a major issue with shorter trips, long vacations can start to feel monotonous within a couple of days. It’s safe to say that running out of activities can transform your trip into more of a chore.
What To Do Instead
For travelers who want all the chills and thrills, we recommend trying out some of the best adventure excursions. From hiking up mountains to kayaking through rapids, there are plenty of activities to get your heart racing.
If you’re visiting a tropical location, then beach activities are an absolute must; off-resort, you can enjoy the sand, sea, and sun in all their splendor. Take surfing or parasailing classes with a local guide, or explore the crystal clear waters on a snorkeling expedition.
In cooler climates, you may want to go on a skiing or snowboarding trip, taking this vacation as an opportunity to hit the slopes with your loved ones. Ice skating is another fun winter sport that will keep you moving during your trip.
Missing out on the “Full” Experience
One of the best things about visiting another country or region is being able to learn about a completely different culture. Staying at the resort during the entire trip can get in the way of this invaluable experience.
As much as we love staying at luxurious resorts, we know there’s nothing like getting the real deal. When it comes to traveling, authentic experiences are the quickest way to make your vacation feel truly meaningful.
While there are plenty of resorts that go the extra mile to make sure that the experience feels real, why not explore the locale for yourself? After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, and it’s well worth a quick trip outside your hotel.
What To Do Instead
While staying onsite can get boring pretty quickly, cultural experiences can take your vacation from run-of-the-mill to completely transformative. When it comes to learning more about the local culture, you’ve got countless opportunities at your fingertips.
One of the best ways to learn more about a location is by taking a good, long look at its history. You can do this by visiting local museums, and historical buildings, and taking a guided tour that gives you a deep dive into the past.
If you prefer to appreciate culture through the fine arts, you’ll want to check out the art museums, sculpture gardens, and vintage event spaces. These can all give great insight into the heart and soul of local culture.
Low Stimulation
As soothing as an all-inclusive resort can be, they are typically made for rest, refreshment, and relaxation. For this reason, most of the activities available onsite tend to offer little to no mental stimulation for guests.
While mindfulness and meditation are important in their own right, there’s something to be said for keeping your mind busy. You can only visit the spa so many times, and after a certain point, you’ll be ready for something a little more engaging.
When you’re feeling re-energized and want to try something bold and adventurous, you will likely have to leave the resort. No worries, because we’ve got a few activities that will keep your vacation feeling fun and fresh.
What To Do Instead
To keep your hands and minds moving, you can try out a local cooking class! Not only will this teach you more about the local cuisine, but you just may learn a few new tricks that you can use at home.
Along the same lines, it could also be fun to take a few language classes during your trip, especially if you’ve booked an extended stay. This can help you feel more confident and comfortable traveling through the city, opening up a whole new world of opportunities.
If you feel like you’re up for the challenge, we recommend making an effort to live “like a local” for 12 – 24 hours. If you’ve got a week or more at your all-inclusive resort, try spending one day completely offsite; but be warned—you may never want to head back!
Inciting Irritability
It happens to the best of us; you spend day after day stuck inside, and slowly but surely, cabin fever starts to set in. Tempers get shorter, the list of complaints gets longer, and everything your travel buddies do seems to get on your nerves.
If you never leave the resort, this phenomenon can all too quickly become a reality for you. Especially if you’re traveling with young children and/or teenagers, you know that close quarters are a recipe for disaster.
To keep your kids from going at it, you’ll want to find excursions that allow everyone to have their own space. To preserve your patience and sanity, we highly recommend leaving the resort for at least a few hours each day.
What To Do Instead
While formal, resort-curated activities can be fun, sometimes you need a moment to really cut loose. Going on a self-guided tour can give you the freedom to get creative and enjoy the locale without being stressed out by a tight schedule.
If you want to spend time with your loved ones, but don’t want to bear the responsibility of entertaining them, we’ve got the perfect alternative. Go see a show, such as a concert, play, or other performance; this way, everyone can sit back, relax, and be entertained, without feeling the pressure to constantly interact.
Special memories are meant to be shared, but that doesn’t mean every moment of your vacation has to be spent together. Don’t be afraid to branch out, and explore different activities that interest you; you can get back together in a couple of hours and catch up on all the incredible things that you’ve seen and done.
