28 Feb Guide to a Vacation at an All-Inclusive with Kids
We love planning family vacations for our clients, and an all-inclusive vacation with kids can be great! Before kids, an all-inclusive was simple: fly, go through customs, grab a welcome drink, and relax by the beach or pool for a week. With kids, it takes a bit more planning. With the right preparation – and preferably the right travel agent – your trip will be just as easy and enjoyable.
We know vacation planning can be stressful, but taking the right steps can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your stay. Read our tips below to get the most out of your stay.
What to Pack
- Before we get started, there are a few things that you should pack for your stay at an all-inclusive with kids. These include:
- Tons of sunscreen – you don’t want to purchase this at the gift shop! You will pay a lot more at your resort for sunscreen than you will at home.
- Medicine & bandages – another item you don’t want to purchase at your destination.
- Yetis or other portable mugs to keep your drinks cold
- Floating toys and some extra toys for the hotel room.
- Dress Codes: Talk to your travel agent about dress codes before you pack and travel. The different dress code names at each property can be confusing. For example, “resort casual” can mean different things at different resorts. For the most part, it means you can’t wear your swimsuit and cover-up, cut-off shorts, or flip-flops to any of the fancy restaurants on the property.
- Don’t be afraid to overpack underwear. While packing light is ideal for most things, underwear is the exception, especially on an all-inclusive vacation with kids.. We recommend packing two pairs per day so you always have a pair for before the pool or beach and afterward. If you are going somewhere especially hot or humid, pack more.
Other Things to Know Before You Go
- Make sure to ask your Enchanted Travel agent to book a shuttle for you from the airport to the resort. You will want to do this before you leave and your travel agent should include this in your package.
- Ask for a list of scheduled activities for the kids when you check in. Many all-inclusive resorts have kids and teen clubs, but a lot of these properties also have planned activities for children that don’t require them to be dropped off at the kids club. Examples include special activities in the pool, kids silent discos, and more.
- Make sure you ask about baby gear and supplies in advance. Your Enchanted Travel agent can help you find a resort that specifically caters to young kids and will have more supplies than others. For example, the Grand Palladium Punta Cana offer a wide assortment of baby products like formulas, food, diapers and toys. This is just one example of a very family-friendly all-inclusive resort with kids supplies. Your Enchanted Travel agent can give you many more options.
Food, Drinks & Tipping
Remember to check the dress codes at your resort, as they usually apply to specific restaurants. You won’t be turned away from every place if you don’t have the right shoes, but it’s best to be prepared. Pack at least one pair of closed-toe shoes for each person and a shirt with buttons for every male, adult, or child. For women and girls, bring something other than flip-flops and swimsuit cover-ups.
Make sure to bring a lot of American bills for tips. Even at all-inclusive resorts, tips are usually welcomed. Tipping can lead to better service at the pools and bars. Often, the staff will recognize you from day to day and remember how much you tipped them before. You don’t have to tip a ton; we usually advise a larger tip for your first drink at the pool, about $5-10 depending on how many you are ordering. After that, tip $1-2 per drink on the next few rounds. At meals, tip $1-5 for breakfast or lunch and $5-20 for dinner. Maybe throw in a few more bucks for a messy table from your kids!
Enchanted Honeymoons
Call us today to book your next vacation to an all-inclusive with kids. You can reach us at 402-390-9291.