For a truly no stress holiday, with all your needs catered for well in advance of your departure, accept no substitute go all-inclusive. Relax knowing all your meals, cocktails and entertainment are paid for and the only thing left to do is sit back and enjoy!

What does ‘all inclusive’ include?

These package breaks usually include all or some of the following, each break will specify what’s on offer, but it’s always advised you read the small print.

• Entertainment in the hotel, e.g. comedy nights

• Buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner (lunch may not be included)

• Snacks through the day (eg fast food, ice cream)

• Local wine, beer, spirits and soft drink brands

• Sports on the hotel grounds

• Gym and swimming pools access

• Children’s club (if there is one)

How to get a great all-inclusive family holiday deal

• Check what is included in your all-inclusive package so you can budget for any extra costs accordingly. Keep an eye out for items such as snacks and room service which may catch you out.

• Do you have to pay for activities? Again, check what is included at your preferred resort before you book. Some activities can cost extra, such as motorised water sports.

• Spa access is often included in your rate, though treatments usually cost extra. Be sure to budget for that soothing, ache-diminishing kneading so you can avoid the headache of an unexpected bill.

• Tablets, phones, laptops… the kids come with more tech than the adults these days. Make sure wi-fi doesn’t have any charge before your clan hooks up to the net.

When is the best time to book?

The earlier the better. If you know where you’re going and when, well in advance, book early and take advantage of early booking bonuses and sales. Book in advance, and you’ll also have your pick of resorts and dates – perfect, if you’re going away with the whole family.

Most of the major airlines and travel agents offer all inclusive deals, however, there are a select few that are known for their packages.

These are First Choice, Thomas Cook and Virgin Holidays. Low Cost Holidays is also a good place to search for deals as they have a deal of the week, every week.

But before making a decision about a package plan, ask yourself some questions.

What do you want to do?

If you want to get away from everything, just lie back on a beach and catch up on your reading, an all-inclusive resort might be a perfect fit. There are plenty of all-inclusive sun-and-sand destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico to suit beachgoers.
Likewise, if you’re interested in focusing your vacation on a single activity like golf, going with an all-inclusive package at, say, a golf resort may well make sense.

How long do you want to stay?

If you want a long weekend away, an all-inclusive package may be just the thing. You won’t have to spend a lot of time planning how to get where you’re going or what to do during your stay. But if you’re planning a longer break, you may find yourself bored with your options in an all-inclusive package and long for a change of pace.

Who is coming along?

Are you traveling with your children and grandchildren? With a group of old college friends? One of the distinct advantages of all-inclusive packages is they can minimize the need for group decision-making, which can be a challenge with a larger and diverse group. Two other advantages: Most offer a range of activities to suit many tastes and many venues for easy socializing.

Need ideas for a great all-inclusive vacation? Check out our destination ideas below.

• Cancun

Being a major tourism destination means there’s much to do and see while on an all-inclusive vacation in Cancun. This Mexican Caribbean city offers something of interest to every type of traveler. Take a quiet, early morning stroll on the beach. Enjoy year-round deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving in waters with an average temperature of 80°F. Golfers can hit the links at a number of beautiful and challenging courses. Partiers can barhop on land. Stay in an all-inclusive resort, five-star hotel, or rent a rustic bungalow right on the beach. No matter where you choose to stay, you’ll be close to some of Mexico’s most glorious beaches, archaeological sites, and nature reserves. Visit the impressive Mayan ruins at Tulum. Tour the caves of the nearby 988-acre ecological park, Aktun Chen, and learn about the Maya’s relationship with the caves.

• Jamaica

An all-inclusive vacation package to Jamaica is an absolute treat, mon. Jamaica’s rich culture and tropical climate has something for everyone, in the cities and in between the cities. Its landscape provides opportunities for a unique travel getaway. Go tubing or rafting through the rainforest and spelunking in the popular Green Grotto Caves. Chukka’s Horseback Ride ‘N Swim is a three-hour horseback tour for riders of all skill levels and provides an unparalleled riding experience: A guide will lead a group on horseback through a tropical rainforest, the Jamaican countryside, along a cliff above the coastline, and finally into the Caribbean Sea for a refreshing swim for both riders and horses. Writers and artists have favored Port Antonio over the years, where you can swim in the spectacular, deep waters of the Blue Lagoon, and surf in Boston Bay. Climb the famously beautiful Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios, go parasailing above the bay, and swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove. Bob Marley fans will enjoy a tour of Marley’s former home in Kingston, now a museum honoring the legendary musician. And, of course, there’s the food — from traditional Jamaican fare like saltfish and jerk chicken to restaurants that serve a wide variety of gourmet cuisine.

• Punta Cana

Choosing the right, all-inclusive vacation resort for you is the most important decision you’ll make when traveling to Punta Cana. The region on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, is one of the top Caribbean destinations and is particularly popular with European travelers. Europe’s influence is present in the architecture and elsewhere. Punta Cana is ideal for travelers who are seeking the ultimate all-in-one, spare-no-amenities resort experience. Vacation at luxurious facilities where the activities are focused on fun and pleasure and everything is within convenient reach. To many, Punta Cana is a “paradise found”, where daytime rainfall is rare, and white sand beaches with coconut palm trees meet clear, shallow ocean and marine pools. Golf courses, casinos, spas, and restaurants are plentiful. And it’s easy to find someone who can show you how to dance the Merengue.

• Cozumel

Book an all-inclusive vacation package to beautiful Cozumel. Off the coast of Riviera Maya, Cozumel is part of the Great Maya Barrier Reef, the world’s second largest reef. This amazing reef has made Cozumel one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world; but even if you’re no swimmer, the resorts and getaway spots are fantastic. The lovely white sand beaches are popular for beach bumming, and the rocky, limestone beaches are great for snorkeling close to shore. Deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, boating, swimming, and bicycling are among the many available activities for the energetic tourist. Fly and bone fishing tours in incredibly clear, shallow lagoons include all necessary equipment, lunch, beverages, and fishing guidance. A day trip to Chankanaab National Park is a must for anyone vacationing in Cozumel. The park features various species of marine animals, and opportunities for visitors to dive, snorkel, swim, and explore. A walk through the park’s botanical and archaeological gardens eventually leads to a replica of an ancient Mayan village, complete with artifacts. Cozumel is charming and safe and the people are friendly. Locals and tourists pack the town square every Sunday evening to hear live bands and dance late into the night. Fresh and delicious Yucatecan and Mexican cuisine is easy to find and even easier to eat. You can also learn the secrets behind this authentic cuisine by taking a cooking class from local chef Josefina Gonzales Luigi.