19 Best Cheap All-Inclusive Resorts

Written by Freddy Sherman and Shandley McMurray
Updated May 11, 2023
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All-inclusive resorts remove the stress from vacation planning. Once at the resort, you can leave your wallet in the room and enjoy the "aah" feeling of not having to worry about the bill. Even cheap all-inclusive resorts offer food, beverages, and activities, not to mention good service.

The perfect option for a family getaway, cheap resorts are found across the globe. They lie on the beautiful isles of the Caribbean, near Myan ruins in Mexico, in Europe's best cities, and along the shores of the world's most beautiful beaches.

In most all-inclusive resorts, you can expect to receive unlimited meals at numerous restaurants, one of which is usually a buffet. Snacks and beverages are also part of the package. Non-motorized water sports are usually included, too, as are activities like tennis.

Find a budget-friendly place to stay on your next vacation with our list of the best cheap all-inclusive resorts.

1. Hotel Riu Palace Mexico

Photo Source: Hotel Riu Palace Mexico
Photo Source: Hotel Riu Palace Mexico

Accommodation: Hotel Riu Palace Mexico

Highlights: Two pools, multiple restaurants, room service, kids' programs, and Renova Spa (for a fee)

This affordable all-inclusive hotel is in the Mexican resort town of Playa del Carmen, across the bay from Cozumel. It sits on one of the town's best beaches, offering fantastic views. The Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is part of the Riu chain of cheap all-inclusive resorts.

During the day, you can enjoy seemingly endless activities on land, sand, and in the water. All non-motorized water sports are complimentary.

Families will love all the kids' activities and programs. At night, the resort offers music and entertainment for families in the early evening, and more adults-only dancing and music later into the night.

The hotel is one of five Riu resorts all in a single, giant complex. You get reciprocal privileges at each and can enjoy some restaurants and amenities at the other properties.

2. Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa, Jamaica

Photo Source: Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa
Photo Source: Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa

Highlights: Three pools, multiple private beaches, gourmet meals, and a vast selection of land and water activities

It's hard not to enjoy yourself at the Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa. Set serenely on the pristine shores of Runaway Bay, this adult-only Jamaican gem (get it?) is one of the best cheap all-inclusive resorts for many reasons.

First, you're in for a treat when it comes to amenities. In addition to the tranquil Radiant Spa, you'll find three pools, a fitness center, and multiple private beaches at this tropical wonderland. Next, you'll be wowed by the attentive and friendly staff. Book a junior suite for butler service, and you'll think you've joined the ranks of royalty.

Not up for that much swank? No worries. Any of the other guest rooms are sure to impress. You can't beat the vistas from the Ocean View guest room.

You won't have far to go when hunger strikes. There are seven restaurants and a smoothie station on-site, as well as plenty of places to grab a refreshing beverage.

Another bonus: all-inclusive really means all-inclusive at this 4.5-star resort. Gourmet meals, beverages, land-based games (like basketball and tennis), water sports (like kayaking and sailing), a fit-trail, and ParaCourse are all complimentary, as is Wi-Fi and "dive-in" movies.

3. Swandor Hotels & Resorts Cam Ranh, Vietnam

Photo Source: Swandor Cam Ranh
Photo Source: Swandor Hotels & Resorts Cam Ranh

Accommodation: Swandor Hotels & Resorts Cam Ranh

Highlights: Three restaurants, a kids' club, a spa (for a fee), a fitness center, and fun activities

The beaches of Vietnam are beautiful and wide with soft, white sand and warm, deep blue water. The Swandor Cam Ranh is a large, cheap, all-inclusive resort set right on Bai Dai beach just south of the resort city of Nha Trang.

This is a family resort with all kinds of activities for kids. The accommodations are also family-friendly, with a lot of family rooms that can comfortably accommodate four people. There's also a huge playground area and a supervised kids' club program, where kids can be left while mom and dad enjoy themselves.

Puppy Restaurant is a must-visit for those with little ones in tow. Its menu has been designed with kids in mind, as has the fun décor.

Rooms are basic but clean and modern, and all of them come with a sea view (some have partial views; some face the ocean directly). All the rooms have balconies or terraces.

When it's time to relax, there are multiple pools and the usual range of free beach activities. For adult fun, the resort has Xone, a concert space and outdoor nightlife area.

The resort's ultra-all-inclusive system really means everything is included — all food and beverages. The café restaurant is even open 24 hours. The a la carte seafood restaurant called Ocean boasts tasty fare and fabulous views, while Swan boasts delicious buffet-style meals.

4. Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, St. Maarten

Photo Source: Sonesta Maho Beach Resort
Photo Source: Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Accommodation: Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Highlights: Kids' club and teen zone, fitness classes, a gym, multiple restaurants, and endless entertainment

This cheap, all-inclusive beach resort on the Dutch side of St. Maarten covers 10 acres. It's perfect for couples, singles, or families, with a wide range of accommodations and a seemingly endless list of activities for adults, teens, and kids. It's on Maho Beach, the famous beach that planes fly low over as they land at the airport.

Kids will love the Beach House Kids Club, which has day and night supervised activities focused on creativity and group interaction. Also available is 24-hour babysitting (for an extra charge).

The Teen Zone hangout area has video games plus cool stuff like DJ turntable decks and GoPro filming experiences. There are also movie nights and live entertainment. Kids and adults will enjoy the small water park.

When you get hungry, there are five restaurants plus a pizzeria and lobby café, all included in your all-inclusive experience.

Looking for fun? You'll find it with plenty of live music and the fitness and well-being programs on offer.

5. Fiesta Americana Cozumel All Inclusive, Mexico

Photo Source: Fiesta Americana Cozumel All Inclusive
Photo Source: Fiesta Americana Cozumel All Inclusive

Accommodation: Fiesta Americana Cozumel All Inclusive

Highlights: Large family suites, an included snorkeling tour, a gym, kids' club, and three restaurants

If you're looking for a fun way to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank, head to the Fiesta America Cozumel. Sister resort to The Explorean Cozumel, this plush spot makes it easy to lap up the life of luxury while your little ones run happily from the pool to the beach to the lovely modern room.

Three restaurants and a café make it easy to please even the pickiest of eaters, while those who like to indulge can enjoy seconds without the guilt. Grab a bit of Asian food, sample Italian cuisine, or dig into a Mexican dish.

If you want to splurge, book a three-bedroom family suite. It comes with a private pool and two king or double beds. Don't worry, it's still uber affordable, especially considering all your meals, drinks, and much of the added fun (i.e. a fitness center, game room, bike rentals, and kids' activities) are included.

The Fiesta Kids' Club will come in handy when you're hoping for a little adult-only R&R. Packed with fun crafts, games, and other activities, this entertainment zone is a hit with kids. Plus, it includes a free lunch. The NA'HA spa is another must-visit, although treatments will cost extra.

Can't bear to leave Fido at home? This resort is dog-friendly and welcomes your four-legged family member with a special kit, including a bed and bowl to use during your stay.

6. Hotel Riu Negril, Jamaica

Photo Source: Hotel Riu Negril
Photo Source: Hotel Riu Negril

Accommodation: Hotel Riu Negril

Highlights: Five restaurants, three pools, free snorkeling lessons, live shows, and a kids' club

This cheap, all-inclusive, Jamaica beachfront resort gives you a lot for its reasonable price tag. The 400-plus room resort is right on Negril's Bloody Bay Beach, which is one of the top attractions in town. An easy drive from the airport, the C-shaped resort surrounds several pools and a beachfront snack shack.

All the rooms at the Riu have furnished balconies or terraces. Some have sea views, some partial, and some face the pool and garden. Junior suites are also available.

When you leave the room, there's a huge list of things you can do on the property. In the water, you can go kayaking, boogie boarding, windsurfing, or even sail a little catamaran. Snorkeling gear is free, and the resort even offers one free scuba lesson in the pool (you can then pay to go scuba diving).

On sand and land there's volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts. There's a kids' club and a nightly entertainment schedule with shows and live music performances.

The Riu offers a nice array of dining options, both in experience and cuisine. Their old-school American breakfast buffet is considered one of the best on the island. You can eat the included buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

There are several optional restaurants, including an Italian venue, an Asian place, a nice gourmet restaurant, and a steakhouse. Another added value item is resort-wide free Wi-Fi.

7. Iberostar Royal Andalus, Spain

Photo Source: Iberostar Royal Andalus
Photo Source: Iberostar Royal Andalus

Accommodation: Iberostar Royal Andalus

Highlights: Two golf courses at a discounted rate, a gym, a beach, five restaurants, and a spa

This large, value-priced, all-inclusive beach resort is in the city of Cadiz, one of Spain's (and Europe's) oldest cities. The port city, on the Atlantic Ocean, is on Spain's southwestern coast. The Royal Andalus is on Barrosa Beach, which offers over three miles of soft-sand beach.

Rooms and suites at the Royal Andalus all have furnished balconies or terraces. The resort has a spa, a big main pool, and a children's pool with aquatic play areas. Starcamp is the resort's kids' club with supervised activities. You get five different restaurants to choose from, and other than the beach club, the restaurants all have a dress code for dinner (no shorts).

It's a great destination for golfers, as the resort includes the Iberostar Real Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club with two par-72 courses, both designed by Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros.

8. Cocobay Resort, Antigua

Photo Source: Cocobay Resort
Photo Source: Cocobay Resort

Accommodation: Cocobay Resort

Highlights: Private cottage accommodations, three restaurants, live music, water sports, and a wellness deck and spa

This romantic, adults-only resort is on the Caribbean island of Antigua. The beautiful island is in the West Indies, and it was one of the first places visited by Columbus, in 1493. Highlights include a beach shack spa and a focus on wellness with group walks, yoga classes, and spiritual meditation.

Accommodations at Cocobay are all cottages. The cheapest accommodations face the garden but have large front balconies and walls of sliding glass windows that open. Mosquito nets are on the bed, so you can sleep with the doors open. Premium cottages face the ocean and/or have private plunge pools.

Rafters is the main restaurant, with terrace dining, serving a buffet breakfast and lunch, with an a la carte dinner. Sheer Rocks is their cliff-mounted beach and tapas bar serving food all day. It's the perfect place to enjoy the sunset. There's live entertainment and music six nights a week.

Sandy Ground Sunset Terrace is another must-visit for tempting fare enjoyed alfresco, overlooking Little Ffryes Beach.

This romantic resort is an adults-only couples' retreat. It specializes in proposals, weddings, and honeymoons with a range of special amenities.

9. Samba Vallarta, Mexico

Photo Source: Samba Vallarta
Photo Source: Samba Vallarta

Accommodation: Samba Vallarta

Highlights: Nightly entertainment, a kids' club, five restaurants, and a variety of land- and water-based activities.

This cheap all-inclusive resort in Mexico is about 30 minutes outside downtown Puerto Vallarta in an area called Nuevo Vallarta. It has all the amenities and beach of the downtown resorts at a lower price.

Rooms come with or without a terrace and face the pool or the garden. Suites face the pool or the garden, and ocean-view suites are also available. In addition to separate living areas, suites have kitchenettes and sofa beds.

The Samba has a kids' club with supervised activities and nightly entertainment along with live music throughout the resort. The Samba Vallarta has five dining options, two with seatings that are adults-only. The two non-buffet restaurants have three dinner seatings each night for which reservations are required. Late-night munchies can be satisfied at an all-night diner-like café. It's all included with your stay.

All your non-motorized water sports are included (motorized rentals are available for a fee). This includes rafts, kayaks, boogie boards, and snorkeling gear.

Out of the water, you can play volleyball, basketball, ping pong, soccer, and other individual and organized sports.

10. The Explorean Cozumel, Mexico

Photo Source: The Explorean Cozumel
Photo Source: The Explorean Cozumel

Accommodation: The Explorean Cozumel

Highlights: Great service, modern rooms, a heated pool, guided walks, and optional in-room breakfast

It's easy to see why The Explorean has been dubbed one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Cozumel. Boasting top-notch service, enviable amenities, and super comfy and private accommodations, this gorgeous four-star resort is set within the lush Mayan jungle. It's also located close to some of the best beaches in Cozumel.

Crisp, modern rooms are housed within one of 56 casitas (spacious houses) boasting a balcony, rainfall shower, and a living room. Breakfast can be served in your room, and other meals can be enjoyed at the casual yet delicious Lool Kan Mexican restaurant. All meals and drinks are included, unless you're choosing a premium dish. Motorized activities are also extra.

Take a load off at the NA'HA Spa (for an additional fee), enjoy a refreshing dip in the heated outdoor pool, borrow a bike and ride around the area, or work up a sweat in the fitness center. Daily guided walks and other expeditions are also included.

Looking for more fun things to do in Cozumel? Head over to the Explorean's sister resort, the Fiesta Americana Cozumel, another all-inclusive gem. Guests of the Explorean are granted full access to their facilities, including the decadent beach club.

11. Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa, Dominican Republic

Photo Source: Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa
Photo Source: Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa

Highlights: Six restaurants, three pools, a kids' club, a tennis club, and spa (for a fee)

Skip the name-brand resorts and get everything for less at the Vista Sol Punta Cana Resort & Spa. It's a big resort, over 500 rooms and suites, with three different pools to swim in and six different restaurants to dine in.

It's right on Bavaro Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. It offers the full, white, powdery soft-sand beach with turquoise water experience.

There's also nightly entertainment (musicians and live performance shows) and a disco. For families, there's a kids' club with daily supervised activities. You can enjoy a massage or treatment at the full spa (there is a charge for treatments) or work out in the big fitness center. There's also an aquatic center, tennis and paddle club, and a Jacuzzi.

Dining options include a buffet, an Asian restaurant (sushi, Chinese, and Japanese); an Italian restaurant; and a gourmet, white-tablecloth option. Other than the buffet, reservations are necessary, and a three-course dinner is included in your all-inclusive package. There's also a food truck by the beach bar.

12. Coral Costa Caribe Hotel, Dominican Republic

Photo Source: Coral Costa Caribe
Photo Source: Coral Costa Caribe Hotel

Accommodation: Coral Costa Caribe Hotel

Highlights: Ocean- and garden-view rooms, themed restaurants, miniature golf, nightly entertainment, and a kids' club

This affordable, all-inclusive beach resort is in the Dominican resort town of Juan Dolio, midway between Punta Cana and the capital of Santo Domingo. It has the same white sandy beaches and incredible turquoise water as Punta Cana without the big crowds or mega resorts. There are 400 rooms on the property, either with an ocean or a garden view.

The Coral Costa Caribe offers an affordable all-inclusive experience with all the meals available in the three buffet restaurants. There are several other themed restaurants for which reservations must be made. For late-night munchies, there's also a snack bar, which is open all night.

Kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and windsurfing are all free to do, as is miniature golf, tennis, and volleyball. Take Latin dance or aerobics classes, which are included in your rate, or luxuriate in a spa treatment (for an extra fee).

The resort has a kids' club for kids aged four through 12, and presents nightly entertainment with live shows and music.

13. Allegro Playacar, Mexico

Photo Source: Allegro Playacar
Photo Source: Allegro Playacar

Accommodation: Allegro Playacar

Highlights: Two-bedroom family rooms, three restaurants, variety of land and water sports, and two pools

There is plenty of sand to greet beach lovers at the Allegro Playacar in Playa del Carmen. One of the best, cheap all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, this budget-friendly resort is a perfect place to enjoy a relaxing vacation without having to worry about an unsightly bill.

Meals in each of the four restaurants and pizzeria are included, as are snacks and beverages at other eateries on the property. Activities like tennis and basketball are also on offer free of charge, as is access to fun lawn games, like giant chess and ping pong.

Non-motorized water sports (like kayaking and sailing) are also included, as is nightly entertainment and a diving lesson in one of the three pools. Have the kids in tow? Book a family room for extra space (it comes with two bedrooms) and make use of the Kids' Club, so you can carve out some alone time.

14. Viva Wyndham Tangerine, Dominican Republic

Photo Source: Viva Wyndham Tangerine
Photo Source: Viva Wyndham Tangerine

Accommodation: Viva Wyndham Tangerine

Highlights: Two outdoor pools, rooms and suites with balconies, a spa (extra), and many activities

There are multiple reasons the Viva Wyndham Tangerine tops the list of the best cheap all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic. This four-star resort boasts good service, great food (at four different restaurants), and an endless variety of activities. You'll never get bored of taking it easy at this pretty spot in Cabarete.

This family-friendly resort in the Dominican Republic is a one-stop shop for those looking to while away a day in one place. Lounge on your private balcony soaking up the impressive ocean or garden view; play volleyball or tennis; hit the beach for kitesurfing, scuba diving, or windsurfing; or settle into a pool lounger and enjoy a complimentary beverage while relaxing with your favorite book.

In addition to your meals, snacks, many activities, and evening entertainment, access to the Viva Kids' Club is also included in your all-inclusive package.

15. Solmar Resort, Mexico

Photo Source: Solmar Resort
Photo Source: Solmar Resort

Accommodation: Solmar Resort

Highlights: All-suite accommodations, private area of beach, whirlpool tubs, a spa, and tasty dining options

Cabo San Lucas is a Mexican resort city at the tip of Baja California, which is a quick, three-hour flight from LAX. The Solmar Resort is a value-focused, all-inclusive resort at Land's End.

If you walk a little, you can save a lot, as the resort is at the end of Land's End Beach, about a 10-minute walk from the downtown area where most of the other resorts are located.

Visitors should note that there are eight different Solmar properties in Cabo — the Solmar Resort is the value-priced option.

Accommodations are all suites; smaller studio suites with kitchenettes; and full, one-bedroom suites. Marble floors, free Wi-Fi, whirlpool tubs in the bathrooms, and furnished terraces or patios add to the comfortable experience.

On-site amenities include multiple pools (one of which is adults-only); a hot tub; a private beach; and, for a fee, beach cabanas and a spa.

Choose from two different restaurants or grab a bite at the poolside beach bar and snack shack. There's also a sushi bar.

16. Holiday Inn Resort, Aruba

Photo Source: Holiday Inn Resort, Aruba
Photo Source: Holiday Inn Resort, Aruba

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Resort Aruba

Highlights: Family activity center, gym, kids' activities, live entertainment, multiple restaurants, and a variety of rooms

This affordable beachfront resort is on a perfect quarter-mile of pristine, powdery, soft-sand beach, part of Palm Beach, which is one of Aruba's best beaches. The resort is also close to L.G. Smith Blvd., which has lots of shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and other fun things to do.

Accommodations are modern and nicely sized. Cheap, no-view rooms are available, as are direct oceanfront rooms and junior suites as well. This is a large resort with close to 600 rooms and suites.

You can dine in the main buffet restaurant, have a burger at the Oceanside Grill or maybe enjoy some pizza at Pizza Now! The resort also has pop-up dining specials like barbecues and taco night.

The upscale dining option is found at Da Vinci, a romantic Italian restaurant featuring tasty dishes and an amorous ambiance.

Organized activities like aqua golf, aqua aerobics, and pool volleyball happen each day. Non-motorized water sports are complimentary, as are bicycle rentals.

For kids, there's a kids' club and activities center with morning and afternoon supervised activities.

17. Breezes Resort & Spa Bahamas

Photo Source: Breezes Resort & Spa Bahamas
Photo Source: Breezes Resort & Spa Bahamas

Accommodation: Breezes Resort & Spa Bahamas

Highlights: Beachfront rooms, indoor and outdoor a la carte dining, multiple pools, and fun activities

This beachfront, all-inclusive, affordable resort in Nassau offers two key benefits: On-the-sand rooms and an "Ultra-Inclusive" policy that really does include everything. There are no resort fees, no surcharges, and the resort even has a no-tipping policy. Breezes is not adults-only, but children must be over the age of 14.

Breezes Bahamas is on one of Nassau's most unmissable attractions Cable Beach, and it has a huge private area dedicated to hotel guests. Activities include the full range of beach and ocean fun, from kayaks to pedal-boats, as well as land activities, including tennis courts (with free lessons), a climbing wall, and even a trapeze setup.

There are five restaurants to choose from, including buffets and a la carte dining. The a la carte restaurants (Italian, Asian-fusion, and Continental) rotate, with a different one open each night. There's also a snack bar.

One romantic dining experience not included in the Ultra-Inclusive plan (but worth doing) is the private beach dinner.

18. Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach – An All-Inclusive Resort, Grand Bahama

Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach - An All-Inclusive Resort
Photo Source: Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach – An All-Inclusive Resort

Accommodation: Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach – An All-Inclusive Resort

Highlights: Nightly entertainment, fruit service at the pool and beach, cooking classes, and a theater

On the island of Grand Bahama, which is generally less expensive than other Bahamas' islands, the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach is a good-value all-inclusive resort that caters to families. It is easy to access Grand Bahama by both air and ferry from Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The resort is set on sprawling, lushly landscaped grounds that bump up to a white-sand beach and turquoise-hued sea.

The rooms are colorful, with comfy beds, tile floors, and balconies. Some have sea views. Kids under 17 stay and eat free with an adult guest, making this an even more affordable vacation option for those traveling with kids.

Amenities here include three restaurants, although the food can be hit or miss (you get what you pay for). There is beach access, with sun loungers and umbrellas for guests, as well as a swimming and wading pool, hot tub, and gym. For children, there is a kids' club, babysitting can be arranged, and there is also an arcade game room.

19. Spice Hotel & Spa, Turkey

Photo Source: Spice Hotel & Spa
Photo Source: Spice Hotel & Spa

Accommodation: Spice Hotel & Spa

Highlights: VIP section, variety of restaurants, kids' club, heated indoor pool, spa, and fitness center

Antalya is one of Turkey's main resort areas, offering miles of beautiful beaches on the Mediterranean and lots of golf courses. The area is also filled with many tourist attractions including Roman ruin sites, which allow visitors to enjoy some history with their beach vacation.

Belek is the newer resort area of Antalya, home to beachfront resorts and golf courses. This is where you'll find the Spice Hotel & Spa, a large, all-inclusive, value-priced beachfront resort.

Rooms and suites come in all sizes and levels of luxury but even the cheapest, standard rooms have their own terraces and are quite nice. Villas are also available, grouped in their own VIP section. The Lockhum Kids Club has all kinds of activities and its own play area. There's also an aqua park with waterslides and other attractions.

The main buffet restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and meals there are included with your room rate. There are several themed restaurants, which are available on an a la carte basis. For nighttime fun, there's a full-size cinema.