Book All-Inclusive Resorts Now
Believe it or not, it’s already time to make your holiday plans for Spring Break 2020 – especially if you want to book one of the best all-inclusive resorts somewhere hot and sunny.
Whether for the whole family, just the two of you, or even if you’re travelling solo, all-inclusive vacations make for wonderful, worry-free getaways. They are perfect for a much-needed break at the tail end of winter.
In North America, Spring Break is a popular time to book all-inclusive vacations. And with a limited amount of inventory for all-inclusive resorts, don’t wait to book your spring break vacation. Last-minute deals are very rare.
“It’s unlikely that there will be a sale, as it is the second busiest travel time for all-inclusive resorts (with Christmas being the highest),” says Tara Sparshu, Special Travel Consultant for TierOne Travel. “However, nothing in this industry is 100% definitive and sometimes on the off chance there is a lot of space left, there might be something on sale.”
2020 Calendar Dates for Spring Break
With everyone back to school now, you can check your – or your children’s – class schedules and find out the best time to book a getaway.
Here are some general 2020 calendar dates for Reading Week, Spring Break and Easter Break in Canada, including weekends:
- Universities and Colleges Reading Week – Feb 15-23, 2020
- Public Schools Spring Break – March 14-22, 2020
- Catholic Schools Spring Break long weekend – March 19-22, 2020
- Catholic Schools Easter Break – April 10-19, 2020
- Public Schools Easter long weekend – April 10-13, 2020
Popular Destinations for All-Inclusive Resorts
- Mexico All Inclusive Resorts: Mexico is still one of the top choices for all-inclusive vacations for Canadians due to its close proximity to our country. And it has abundant sunshine, beautiful beaches, incredible scenery, delicious food and a thriving culture. There are so many great resorts and locations to choose from: Cabo san Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Riviera Maya – just to name a few.
- Dominican Republic All Inclusive Resorts: The Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation. It draws Canadians to all-inclusive vacations with its golden, sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, subtropical forests, turquoise waters and stunning coral reefs. Most of the all-inclusive resorts are found in Punta Cana, La Romana and Cap Cana.
- Jamaica All Inclusive Resorts: Jamaica is commonly referred to as paradise on earth and it’s easy to see why, with its pink and white beaches and idyllic scenery. This English-speaking Caribbean island has a variety of amazing locations for all-inclusive vacations. Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay all have incredible resorts.
- Cuba All Inclusive Resorts: Cuba, while not as popular with Americans due to U.S. travel restrictions, is still a prime all-inclusive vacation spot for Canadians. An unspoiled gem, Cuba is the largest Caribbean island located where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet. It has an old-world charm and some of the best beaches in the world. The all-inclusive resorts are primarily located in two areas – Varadero and Cayo Coco.
What to Consider When Booking All-Inclusive Resorts
Most Canadians choose all-inclusive resorts because they are just that … all-inclusive. With ‘everything’ included, you shouldn’t have to worry about extra room costs or additional fees for food and beverages, activities or entertainment. But that isn’t always the case. It’s vital that you do your homework. Or, better yet, book through an experienced, trusted travel consultant to do the research and leg work for you.
“We have first-hand knowledge and also receive feedback from our clients, so we know which resorts are the best and can match them with all the features and amenities you are looking for,” says Tara, who will be travelling to Cabo San Lucas next month and plans to scope out three all-inclusive resorts while she’s there.
No Unwanted Surprises
TierOne Travel experts will ensure there are no unwanted surprises when it comes to extra fees. They know all the tips and tricks. For instance, some resorts charge more for higher quality alcohol and for the more popular international brands.
And you certainly don’t want to arrive in your room – ready to relax after a long day of travel – only to discover the room is too small or doesn’t have a balcony. Your travel consultant can ensure the rooms that you booked as part of your all-inclusive vacation package are exactly what you were promised.
You also want to ensure a variety of restaurant choices are part of your all-inclusive vacation package and that there is unlimited a la carte with no reservations. Some all-inclusive resorts provide catering for food allergies and special diets. For example, if you are Celiac, they will ensure there is no cross contamination with your gluten-free food. And you want to make sure bottled water is available. Some resorts even have their own water purification systems.
If you are travelling with your family, you definitely want to know which activities are included in the kids and teens clubs. You don’t want to get there and then find out jet skis cost extra or snorkeling is going to be out of your price range. All of those ‘extras’ can add up quickly.
And if you’re travelling solo or as a couple, you might want to consider adults-only resorts. They offer customized, all-inclusive vacation packages to suit your particular needs and desires.
Excursions are value add
Excursions are mini trips outside of the all-inclusive resorts. Just because you booked a seven-day stay at resort, doesn’t mean you have to spend every minute there. If exploring and experiencing some of the local culture is important to you, you want to ensure the resort provides transportation to and from those locales.
One aspect of travel, which is not as concerning as it was a few months ago, is the availability of flights. In March 2019, a total of 387 Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliners were grounded due to mechanical concerns. Most airlines have since adjusted. Even though there is less airline availability, your travel consultant can maneuver around any inventory concerns.
Travel Safety Tips for All-Inclusive Resorts
Every year, the media report on tourists who were robbed or injured, which can cause fear among potential travellers. But not everything is as it seems, and the percentage of unfortunate events is relatively low considering the thousands of people who vacation in these popular hot spots. And, in fact, all-inclusive resorts are considered safer because they are usually gated and have security on site.
Take steps to keep safe:
- Be careful what food and drink you consume. Check with your travel agent to ensure there are high safety standards both at the resort and away on excursions.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t put yourself in danger any more than you normally would. Trust your instincts.
- Be where you should be. Let people know where you are going and when you’ll be back.
- Don’t wander off on planned excursions and be sure to take the transportation provided to you by the all-inclusive resorts.
- Don’t do things you wouldn’t do in your home country.
- If you feel unsafe somewhere, leave.
- Protect your valuables. Most resorts offer room safes.
If you feel like it’s time to explore something new, contact one of our TierOne Travel specialists! They have extensive experience in life-changing travel and will be able to craft something that is suited to your unique needs.
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” – Anonymous