All-inclusive vs. booking separately
This is the travel debate I have with myself every single time I plan a trip.
All-inclusive sounds like the obvious budget move but you’re paying for meals you might skip, drinks you might not finish, and a resort you’ll feel pressure to stay on because you already paid for everything there. I am all about getting my money’s worth. If I bought a ticket to an amusement park for $80 and only stayed three hours, that's almost $27 an hour when you look at the full picture. All-inclusive works the same way. If you’re not using everything included you’re just paying for the idea of it.
Booking separately requires a bit more thought. If you’re eating out every meal without a plan you’ll spend more. But you’re also eating at genuinely good restaurants instead of resort buffets. And when it comes to food, I like to do heavy research into what’s truly a hidden gem and has great reviews.
I think it depends on how much brain power you’re wanting to use and your pickiness level. If you’re open to any experience and looking for an easy, laid back trip without a lot of thought since everything is there for you, go all-inclusive. If you’re a bit more particular (like myself) booking separately is the way to go. It takes more thought but you know every single detail is something you’ll enjoy and you don’t feel like you’ve wasted your money.