17 Cheapest Caribbean Islands in 2024 For All-Inclusive Resorts

As of late summer 2023 there are around 460 all-inclusive resorts spread around the Caribbean, with more being constructed every year. More than 120 of those are in the Dominican Republic, with nearly 50 others in Jamaica. The Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Cozumel area has more than 160, and the rest are spread among other islands. When researching Caribbean vacations, you’ll find the cheapest all-inclusive deals are clearly on the islands with the most resorts.

If you are looking for a cheap Caribbean all-inclusive or at least one that offers excellent value, it’s best to look in the places that have the most resorts because they have to compete on price in order to fill up most of the year. On the other hand, if you are looking for more of a boutique experience and you have a larger budget, you will probably be happier on one of the smaller islands such as St. Lucia or Barbados.

To make your decision at least a bit easier, we’ve sorted through the entire Caribbean to compare prices of these all-inclusive resorts, and listed the destinations from cheapest to most expensive below. We’ve previously ranked Caribbean islands by price for regular hotels, but the order here is quite different.

Updates for 2024

Inflation has been an issue in many parts of the world in the last couple of years, and it seems to have hit the Caribbean for the upcoming winter of 2024. We checked room rates at all of the all-inclusive resorts once again this year and discovered that prices for the cheapest group have jumped about 20% in the last year.

You can still find amazing bargains and resorts starting well under US$200 per night in high season, but a resort that might have charged US$160 per night in early 2023 will be charging more like US$185 per night in early 2024. The bottom line is you should book as early as possible to lock in the best deals. Most of these places allow free cancellation up until shortly before the dates, so there isn’t much to lose and a lot to gain.

NEW for 2024

We have handy guides to help you find the best resorts for your travel style

>>>Best Caribbean all-inclusive resorts for families with kids

>>>Best Caribbean all-inclusive resorts for honeymoons and romantic trips

>>>Best luxury Caribbean all-inclusive resorts

High season vs. Low season

In all of the Caribbean “high season” runs from December through early April, and the “peak season” is the last week of December and the first week of January. The cheapest months are generally May, June, September, October, and November. The islands that are popular with Europeans can be busy in July and August, which drives room rates up.

The best-value time of year is from around January 10 through the end of February, because you get perfect weather and smaller crowds than around Christmas and in March.

The list below is ranked based on high season rates because that’s when most people visit the Caribbean, but it’s worth looking closely if you are going in the off season because the order would be somewhat different, and some destinations are far cheaper while others only drop prices a bit. In other words, if your schedule is flexible then cheap all-inclusive trips are even cheaper September through November.

The Best Deals?

Air + hotel packages are often the best deals. The room rates below are obviously for the resort only, with airfare extra. Depending on your departure point, you might find slight differences in the order if you choose an air+hotel package. Regardless of where you are starting, it’s worth checking the prices of the airfare and the hotel separately, and also as a package. Usually the air+hotel package will be cheapest, but certainly not always, so it’s worth a few more minutes to confirm before you buy.

It’s also worth considering a cruise, since they also operate on a mostly all-inclusive basis and they can be incredibly cheap, even during high season. Check our list of the cheapest Caribbean cruise lines for more information.

Check for today’s best deals from our Caribbean partners

New video explaining the highlights of this article

There are many things that are better shown in a video than explained in text, so I made the video above that I think would be extremely helpful to almost anyone reading this article. I explain where the cheapest really good resorts are located and I give examples of great all-inclusive resorts ranging from US$176 per night to US$290 per night for two people including all taxes.

Here are the links to the resorts mentioned in the video if you want to check them out yourself:

>>>Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata – US$176/night for two as of August, 2023 for January 2024 stays

>>>Barceló Bávaro Palace Punta Cana – US$290/night

>>>Occidental Costa Canc̼n РUS$236/night

>>>Allegro Playacar Playa del Carmen – US$207/night

>>>Cozumel Hotel & Resort Trademark Collection by Wyndham – US$247/night

>>>Sandals all-inclusive resorts – The best premium resorts at US$500 and up

The 17 Cheapest all-inclusive resort destinations in the Caribbean

1La Romana, Dominican Republic (Cheapest)

  • High season: US$168 – $592 per night for two people, all inclusive, tax included
  • Low season: US$100 – $473
  • All-inclusive resorts: 14

Pictured above: Coral Costa Caribe Beach Resort – From US$255/night for two, including tax

On the southern shore not far west of Punta Cana in eastern Dominican Republic, La Romana is probably best known to the legendary 5-star resort called Casa de Campo, which remains popular today. There are about a dozen other all-inclusive hotel choices in the region, and most of the others are in the lower to middle price range, some with very appealing off-season prices.

Direct flights into La Romana Airport are available from many larger cities, but the resorts are also close enough to the Punta Cana Airport that flying into that larger and cheaper facility might save both time and money depending on where you are starting. In fact, when you search for Punta Cana resorts you’ll usually see the La Romana resorts mixed in, so it’s really one big market.

Nearest airport: La Romana International Airport (code: LRM)
Nonstop flights from: Miami, New York-JFK, Montréal-Trudeau, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto-Pearson, London-Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Lyon, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Munich, Milan-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino


2Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

  • High season: US$176 – $387
  • Low season: US$158 – $336
  • All-inclusive resorts: 24

Pictured above: Iberostar Costa Dorada – From US$211/night for two in high season

On the northern coast of the Dominican Republic you’ll find the district of Puerto Plata, which may not have the country’s nicest beaches, but it does have a great abundance of cheap all-inclusive vacation resorts. Flights into the local airport aren’t as cheap as into many other areas on this list, so flight+hotel packages might not reflect the amazingly low prices of the resorts themselves.

During the high season the deals available at the 25 or so all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Plata are definitely among the best for any Caribbean island, and during the off season (particularly September and October) the prices are so low that some of them look like mistakes. As long as you are clear that this is nothing like St. Barths, then Puerto Plata offers great value and a lot of fun.

If your budget is so low that your options are Puerto Plata or staying home, then Puerto Plata could be perfect. But if you can afford a bit more I think it’s worth checking the deals in Punta Cana, which is listed a bit below.

>>>Best all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Plata for couples, families, nightlife, golf, foodies, and much more

Nearest airport: Gregorio Luperón International Airport (code: POP)
Nonstop flights from: Miami, New York-JFK, Newark, Montréal-Trudeau, Ottawa, Québec City, Toronto-Pearson, Halifax, Winnipeg, Glasgow-International, London-Gatwick, Manchester (UK), Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels


3Cozumel, Mexico

  • High season: US$214 – $486
  • Low season: US$168 – $448
  • All-inclusive resorts: 14

Pictured above: Grand Park Royal Cozumel – From US$248/night for two, including tax

A small Caribbean island just across the channel from Playa del Carmen and just south of Cancun, Cozumel has 14 of its own all-inclusive resorts with rates mostly in the lower end and middle of the pack for Caribbean all-inclusives. On Cozumel you get the benefits of being on an island, but also the convenience of being a short ferry ride from an interesting town and some famous ruins and other sights.

Cozumel has its own airport and if you can get a direct flight into it you can often get a good fare. But the Cancun Airport is much larger and has many more direct destinations, so you might actually save both time and money by flying in and out of that one. To get from Cancun Airport to Cozumel you can take a short (and super scenic) flight or take a shuttle to the ferry in Playa del Carmen and then take the ferry over, which takes about two hours each way in total.

Nearest airport: Cozumel International Airport (CZM) and the much larger Cancún International Airport (code: CUN)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities


4Cancun

  • High season: US$219 – $1,693
  • Low season: US$183 – $941
  • All-inclusive resorts: 82

Pictured above: Occidental Tucanc̼n РFrom US$190/night for two, including tax

While it’s not a Caribbean island like the rest of these on the list, we are including Cancun because it has endless Caribbean beaches, and it’s among the cheapest choices for an all-inclusive holiday when you factor in the flight. The area has over 80 hotels that are fully all inclusive or offer an all-inclusive option, all the way up and down the price range.

As obvious a choice as it may be, Cancun does have a lot going for it, including cheap nonstop flights from all over North American and even Europe. One thing to be careful of is that that there are quite a few disapointing resorts mixed in at the lower price ranges, so it’s important to check the reviews before you commit. Those who book carefully will be getting the best value for money in the Caribbean.

The Cancun area actually has 7 different distinct hotel zones that are all close to the busy airport here. We recently wrote a guide to where to stay in the Cancun area that is right for your trip.

>>>Best Cancun all-inclusive resorts for couples, families, spa lovers, and more

Nearest airport: Cancún International Airport (code: CUN)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities


5Playa del Carmen, Mexico

  • High season: US$224 – $2,180
  • Low season: US$168 – $2,086
  • All-inclusive resorts: 82

Pictured above: Hacienda Tres Rios Resort Spa & Nature Park – From US$407/night for two, including tax

Only about an hour by road south of Cancun and its huge airport, Playa del Carmen is a lively tourist town filled with hotels, shops, and activities. Nearly all of the all-inclusive resorts are on the edges of town or on the beach on the road from Cancun, so guests at these resorts will need to make special trips to enjoy the town itself. This is part of an area now known as the Riviera Maya, which runs from just south of Cancun to just south of Tulum, so sometimes you’ll see resorts listed with Riviera Maya as their location if they aren’t in Playa del Carmen itself.

Room rates at all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen are very competitive, and package prices are unusually good value because they come with a flight into Cancun, which is known for bargain flights. This isn’t an island, but being out of the Yucatan Peninsula it feels a lot like one. The nightlife in Playa del Carmen isn’t as famous as that of Cancun, though the town far more interesting in most other ways.

It’s also worth noting that the most expensive all-inclusive resort in this area are stunning overwater bungalows at the El Dorado Maroma Resort. These are the only true honeymoon-style overwater bungalows in Mexico and they are very popular.

Nearest airport: Cancún International Airport (code: CUN)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities


6Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

  • High season: US$242 – $963
  • Low season: US$152 – $709
  • All-inclusive resorts: 77

Pictured above: Bahia Principe Grand Punta Cana – From US$239/night for two, including tax

With over 75 hotels that offer all-inclusive deals, Punta Cana has the greatest concentration of these resorts on any Caribbean island. The resort area occupies the far eastern tip of the Dominican Republic and the hotel beaches can either face northeast or southeast. The busy local airport gets direct flights in from all over North America and Europe, and airfares are reasonable for the Caribbean.

With so many to choose from, Punta Cana has resorts big and small, up and down the price range, though it’s worth noting that a few of the cheapest places tend to get a lot of negative reviews from guests. The vast majority of hotels here are in the same general price range, and most offer very good value for the region. With new highways and an efficient new airport, Punta Cana should probably be the first choice for any value-oriented traveler who appreciates gorgeous beaches. The actual town of Punta Cana doesn’t have much going on, so staying in an all-inclusive resort here is wise and you won’t be distracted by things outside of your resort.

You’ll also find Punta Cana near the top of our list of the best Caribbean destinations for families with kids.

>>>Best Punta Cana all-inclusive resorts for couples, families, nightlife, foodies, golf, and more

Nearest airport: Punta Cana International Airport (code: PUJ)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities


7Samaná, Dominican Republic

  • High season: US$252 – $1,001
  • Low season: US$167 – $870
  • All-inclusive resorts: 4


Pictured above: Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo – From US$252/night for two, including tax

Facing a peaceful bay on the southern edge of a peninsula, Samaná has only a handful of resorts offering all-inclusive options, but it’s still worth considering for people who prefer a low-key destination compared to most of those mentioned above. There is a new international airport nearby with nonstop flights from many key international cities, so it’s pretty easy to reach for most people.

The high season prices are in the middle to upper levels for the Caribbean, but the low season special rates are among the best anywhere, so it might be worth even a closer look for those willing to risk the tiny possibility of a big storm altering their holiday plans.

Nearest airport: Samaná El Catey International Airport (code: AZS)
Nonstop flights from: New York-JFK, Montréal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson, London-Gatwick, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Lisbon


8Montego Bay, Jamaica

  • High season: US$277 – $1,140
  • Low season: US$347 – $828
  • All-inclusive resorts: 27

Pictured above: Iberostar Rose Hall Beach – From US$373/night for two, including tax

Featuring about 25 hotels that offer all-inclusive options, Montego Bay in Jamaica has a few rather affordable resorts, but most of them are at least a bit up the price ladder, well over US$400 per night in high season. Doing research and checking prices for this 2024 list we noticed that MANY of the Jamaican resorts have been getting unusually bad reviews in the last year or two. It used to be only a couple of the cheapest resorts would fall below the threshold where we wouldn’t even mention or recommend them, but this year it looked like half the Montego Bay resorts are now getting consistently lousy reviews. Be careful before booking here these days.

Being in between Ocho Rios and Negril, and being home to the entire area’s major airport, Montego Bay also has the fastest connections from the plane to your hotel, so it’s also an ideal option for a long weekend trip where every minute counts. The main tourist area of Montego Bay is almost as disappointing as the one in Ocho Rios, so staying in an all-inclusive is your best option. Some resorts here, including some of the most expensive ones like the Sandals Royal Caribbean, are very close to the airport’s runway. Guests do hear planes taking off a few times an hour, but it’s over in 10 seconds or so.

>>>Best Montego Bay all-inclusive resorts for couples, families, nightlife, activities, foodies, golf, and more

Nearest airport: Sangster International Montego Bay Airport (code: MBJ)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities


9Ocho Rios, Jamaica

  • High season: US$359 – $1,139
  • Low season: US$296 – $1,039
  • All-inclusive resorts: 11

Pictured above: Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay – From US$368/night for two, including tax

With 11 all-inclusive resorts in the area, Ocho Rios offers mostly mid-market all-inclusive resorts, while nearby Montego Bay and Negril have some cheaper and more expensive options. Visitors to all three of Jamaica’s main tourist spots will all fly into the Montego Bay Airport, which has very competitive fares and nonstop flights from all over, so the chances of a cheap nonstop to get here are fairly high.

This is another Caribbean destination that has very appealing prices during high season, and jaw-dropping specials during the off season. And as noted in the Montego Bay section above, we noticed that many of the cheaper Jamaican all-inclusive resorts are getting pretty lousy reviews these days. Unless you are booking at one of the Sandals, you need to pay close attention to recent reviews at the cheaper places now.

By the way, the town of Ocho Rios has very little to offer on its own, aside from being near the wonderful Dunn’s River Falls. So if you want to go to Ocho Rios then an all-inclusive is the best and only good choice. Ocho Rios is also a cruise port, which does affect the town, but won’t have much effect on guests at all-inclusive resorts.

Nearest airport: Sangster International Montego Bay Airport (code: MBJ)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities


10Antigua & Barbuda

  • High season: US$377 – $2,967
  • Low season: US$362 – $1,442
  • All-inclusive resorts: 18

Pictured above: Pineapple Beach Club Antigua – From US$656/night for two, including tax

Unlike most of the other island groups in the Lesser Antilles, Antigua and Barbuda have many all-inclusive resorts, with more than 15 to choose from, none of which are on Barbuda at this point. Antigua has had some excellent deals for all-inclusive resorts during the off season so it’s worth checking if you are planning a summer trip, but the rates when we checked for this update were looking pretty high for some reason.

For guests who are looking to escape the scene of the huge hotels and mass-market tourism of the DR and Jamaica, this is an excellent option. The downside is that flights tend to be more expensive and the airport is served by far fewer destinations, so packages can seem a little more expensive than the resort prices would indicate.

Nearest airport: V. C. Bird International Airport (code: ANU)
Nonstop flights from: Miami, New York-JFK, Newark, Charlotte, Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson, London-Gatwick, Frankfurt


11St. Lucia

  • High season: US$389 – $2,412
  • Low season: US$347 – $1,953
  • All-inclusive resorts: 28

Pictured above: Mystique St Lucia by Royalton – From US$472/night for two, including tax

More remote and a bit more exotic than most of the choices above, St. Lucia is arguably the most beautiful of all Caribbean islands. The island now has 28 resorts that offer all-inclusive options or are completely all inclusive, and most of those are in the middle to upper range of prices for the Caribbean. They now have more all-inclusive resorts than any of the other small islands, and again, St. Lucia is noted for its beauty, so this is one to consider.

Finding cheap airfare to St. Lucia is often the tricky part of doing it on a budget, so that’s the price you pay for getting off the beaten path a bit, but if you can find an airfare+hotel package that looks good then it’s definitely worth a good look.

By the way, arguably the single most beautiful view in all of the Caribbean is of the Pitons peaks on the southern portion of St. Lucia’s west coast. There are a few resorts with views of the Pitons and if you want to make your friends super jealous you might want to book at one of them. St. Lucia also appears on our separate list of the best Caribbean islands for honeymoons.

Nearest airport: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF)
Nonstop flights from: Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, New York-JFK, Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson, London-Gatwick, Frankfurt


12Barbados

  • High season: US$407 – $1,266
  • Low season: US$282 – $1,082
  • All-inclusive resorts: 21

Pictured above: Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels All Suite – From US$638/night for two, including tax

In spite of its remote location at the edge of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados is a large and popular hotspot for winter vacations, with nearly 100 different beach resorts on offer. Of those you’ll over 20 that offer all-inclusive packages, and those tend to be rather expensive compared to elsewhere in the Caribbean, at least during the high season.

Due to its popularity it’s not too difficult to get reasonably priced flights to Barbados, so you might find air+hotel packages that are appealing. Again, if you want an alternative to the DR and Jamaica, this is an option to consider. Barbados is very popular with Europeans and it has a long stretch of mansions and beach houses and exclusive shops and restaurants that make it a favorite with the rich and famous as well.

Nearest airport: Grantley Adams International Airport (code: BGI)
Nonstop flights from: Miami, New York-JFK, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson, London-Gatwick, Manchester, Frankfurt


13Negril, Jamaica

  • High season: US$416 – $896
  • Low season: US$304 – $763
  • All-inclusive resorts: 16

Pictured above: RIU Palace Tropical Bay – From US$526/night for two, including tax

Located on Jamaica’s west coast, just southwest of Montego Bay, Negril has nearly 20 resorts that offer all-inclusive options. This popular and long strip of hotels is where you’ll find some of Jamaica’s best bargains for those who prefer to pay for food and drinks separately, but its all-in resorts are more geared for the mid to upper range guest. More specifically, there are two fairly cheap all-inclusive resorts in Negril, and the rest are much more expensive.

You normally wouldn’t find Negril this far down the “expensive” list, but this year it is because most of the cheaper all-inclusives in this area are getting mostly poor reviews so we don’t even include those ones in our range. In other words, pay attention to recent reviews before booking.

As with the others, you’ll fly into Montego Bay and then take a shuttle to your Negril resort, so you can get good airfare and nonstop flights from all over. Quality in Negril is mostly high, but it runs the gamut so the area draws a mix of budget party people up to the luxury crowd. One added benefit of Negril compared to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios is that the 7-Mile Beach area here is actually a fun place loaded with local bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s sort of like the Jamaica that you might have dreamed about visiting decades ago when things were more simple.

Nearest airport: Sangster International Montego Bay Airport (code: MBJ)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US, Canadian, and European cities


14St. Maarten/St Martin

  • High season: US$448 – $722
  • Low season: US$329 – $569
  • All-inclusive resorts: 4

Pictured above: Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa – From US$721/night for two, including tax

Partly a French territory (in the north) and a Dutch territory (in the south), Saint Maarten/Sint Martin has 5 all-inclusive resorts including a couple of newer ones. There are all-inclusives on both sides of the border and both sides are pretty similar although the French side typically has better food and the Dutch side has casinos and more nightlife.

The all-inclusive resorts here are all in the mid range on the price scale, so each of the five could be considered by almost anyone looking to come here. You’ll get lower prices and better value at the destinations nearer the top of this list, but this island has many fans who come back every year, although it’s also usually crowded with cruise ship passengers during daylight hours.

Nearest airport: Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)
Nonstop flights from: San Juan, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm


15Nassau, Bahamas

  • High season: US$529 – $645
  • Low season: US$554 – $999
  • All-inclusive resorts: 5

Pictured above: Breezes Resort Bahamas – From US$423/night for two, including tax. It’s not included in the main list this year because reviews have dropped to low.

The greater Nassau area and the Paradise Island area in particular are very popular for winter holidays, but they aren’t good places to find affordable all-inclusive resorts. With only about five options, including one cheap and disappointing resort, the Bahamas is not fertile ground for all inclusive deals.

The best thing Nassau has going for it is that it’s very close to Florida and flights are usually quite cheap and frequent, so it’s a good choice for a long weekend when you don’t want to spend most of your coming and going days in transit. But for a week-long trip you’ll get much better value for the money by going to the DR or Jamaica.

Especially outside of peak season it’s worth looking at Atlantis, Paradise Island deals and specials, which can be up to 40% off.

Nearest airport: Lynden Pindling International Airport (code: NAS)
Nonstop flights from: Most major US and Canadian airports, London-Heathrow


16Grenada

  • High season: US$553 – $1,907
  • Low season: US$434 – $1,465
  • All-inclusive resorts: 5

Pictured above: Royalton Grenada – From US$553/night for two, including tax

Grenada is partly famous for being less developed than many of its Caribbean neighbors. As of late 2019 they were down to a single all-inclusive resort that was also extremely expensive, but since then a few more resorts have come on board and now you’ve got choices up and down the price range. This is an English-speaking island so it mostly appeals to Americans, Canadians, and Brits.

Flights into Grenada aren’t among the cheaper ones compared to some of its neighbors, so this isn’t an ideal destination for those looking for great bargains. However, that also means that it tends to cater to a more thoughtful group of visitors, which will appeal to many.

Nearest airport: Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND)
Nonstop flights from: Miami, Atlanta, New York City, Toronto, London, Frankfurt


17Aruba

  • High season: US$576 – $1,179
  • Low season: US$546 – $720
  • All-inclusive resorts: 10

Pictured above: Divi Aruba – From US$708/night for two, including tax

Just off the coast of Venezuela, the island of Aruba is somewhat different compared to most Caribbean islands, with a dry climate all year round. The island has quite a few good bargains for those interested in traditional beach resorts, but its 10 or so all-inclusive resorts tend to be aimed primarily at the upmarket crowd.

During the autumn months you can get better deals at all-inclusive resorts on Aruba, which is even better considering it still gets almost no rain and is usually clear of the main hurricane zones. The island continues to be popular with Europeans, and airfares are quite reasonable from most major cities.

Nearest airport: Queen Beatrix International Airport (code: AUA)
Nonstop flights from: Atlanta, Baltimore, Orlando, Miami, New York-JFK, Boston, Chicago-O’Hare, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Toronto-Pearson, Amsterdam, Milan-Malpensa


Note: Sandals & Beaches

Sandals is arguably the most famous high-end all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, and Beaches is the company’s family-oriented brand. Curiously enough, those chains DON’T show up on most travel search sites so they aren’t included in the information in this list. Generally speaking, Sandals and Beaches would be among the more expensive all-inclusive resorts on these islands, and they are famous for including more than their competitors in the room rate.

It’s worth mentioning that Sandals now has 3 all-inclusive resorts with overwater bungalows, two in Jamaica and one in St. Lucia. They obviously aren’t cheap, but still they are an extremely popular ‘bucket list’ experience for many romantic couples so they tend to be booked well in advance.

>>Why Sandals might be your best Caribbean all-inclusive choice

Best affordable Caribbean destinations for each kind of trip

Best cheap Caribbean destinations for all kinds of trips – All-inclusives, nightlife, culture, chill-out, super-cheap, and more.

Book your own all-inclusive vacation from the best deals today

Photo credits: Royal Cancun Resort, Gran Ventana Beach Resort in Puerto Plata, Sandals Ocho Rios, Dreams Punta Cana Resort, Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, Sandals Negril, Casa de Campo in La Romana, Gran Bahia Principe Samana, Sandals Grande St. Lucia Resort, Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort Bahamas, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, Barbados Beach Club Resort, Riu Palace Aruba Resort

Cheap Caribbean All-inclusive: Resorts you can afford and will love

Here’s where to find all the best Cheap Caribbean all-inclusive resorts that get great reviews with an example in 5 different Caribbean locations. There are about 500 all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean as of 2023 and they range from cheap to ultra-expensive. I also tell you where NOT to look to save you time. These are 5 really nice resorts all well under US$300 per night per couple including taxes.

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  1. tara conrad says:

    Hello,

    I enjoy your site and find that it offers more detail and honesty than many other websites. My family (hubby, 17, 18, 20 year old children) have traveled to Punta Cana and the Riviera Maya several times at various all inclusives. We love entertainment and one requirement for us is nightly entertainment in the form of a show of some sort. Which resorts provide nightly shows that last more than an hour? Our experience is that some resorts have a 30-45 minute show and that is it. Sometimes there is nothing to do after the show :-(. My older children are not into the club scene so we are always looking for something to do as a family after dinner and the show. Any suggestions regarding resorts with nightly entertainment that last more than an hour or at least offer something else to do other than the club? thank you

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Tara,

      Thank you for the kind words. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be on this though. My experience has been similar to yours in that the resorts that have shows tend to have a main feature that lasts a bit under an hour, and they end fairly early. I’m going to look into this and see if I can come up with something. I know some resorts are more focused on “nightlife” than others, but that tends to be the club scene that you mentioned. If I find something I will add it to this comment and send you an email. This is a good question.

      Have you considered a cruise? I assume you are aware of those as an option, but just in case I thought I’d mention it. The larger ships that do the main Caribbean cruises are seemingly endless shows and activities for all age groups. Sorry I couldn’t be more help right away on this. -Roger

      1. Tara Conrad says:

        Thank you for your reply. Yes, my husband and I have been on several cruises, but we much prefer land vacations.

  2. Hartsel says:

    Hi, Roger.

    Your site is proving to be invaluable as we try to plan our honeymoon during the fist week of October 2017. I’m leaning toward DR, am also considering Negril, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos. I definitely want to do all inclusive with flight, but we would also be interested in doing things outside the resort. I think the ruins and activities outside of some of the resorts in Mexico or Central America would have been ideal, but it seems as if the rain averages are extremely high in that part of the world in the early fall. Any ideas and/or guidance? I would love to keep this around $3000ish USD, if possible, but I’m reasonable and flexible when it comes to both price and location. But I keep getting hung up on what to do outside the resort, especially since we plan on staying for about a week.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Hartsel,

      I’m happy to hear that this information is useful. I see your conundrum.

      Punta Cana has a very mild rainy season so October is yet another mostly-sunny month, but honestly there isn’t even really a town there to visit, much less any ruins or other cultural attractions. You can take a day trip to Santo Domingo from the all-inclusive resorts, but it’s not really too interesting or photogenic.

      Negril is a lot of fun, though there also isn’t really a town to visit or good nearby cultural sights. There are some natural sights in that area that you can visit. And really the great thing about Negril is that it’s “old school Jamaica” compared to the huge resorts along the northern shore.

      I’ve yet to make it to Los Cabos, and I’m not aware of any real cultural sights around there. I believe it was a small fishing village up until 40 or 50 years ago, so almost everything there is fairly new.

      Puerto Vallarta, on the other hand, is a historic colonial town that is really nice and interesting. It looks like October isn’t a very rainy month there either. There is plenty to do outside of a resort in that area, including cultural and natural sights. I think you’d be happy there.

      And Cancun does get quite rainy in October, which is a real shame because the Tulum and Chichen Itza ruins there are fabulous, and the town of Playa del Carmen is also a really nice place to spend some out-of-resort time. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  3. Jesse Mortensen says:

    Hello Roger,

    I’m planning a trip for April 2018. Budget of around $3500. Willing to go above if it is exceptional but would rather go below. Location doesn’t matter because we plan to spend the whole day at the resort. We would like a lot of food options is probably our only need. Obviously a lot of wants (activities, swim out room, etc). I have read a lot of your comments and you seem to keep pointing to Punta Cana and Cancun. Do you have any particular resort recommendations because there is such a wide variety it can be overwhelming looking through all of them. Basically any advice on making a choice, I am open for any advice.

    Thanks for your time,
    Jesse Mortensen

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Jesse,

      I’m glad you read the comments above because it’s true that Punta Cana is really your best bet for what you have in mind. For those who want to do things outside of a resort, there are some better options in some cases. But the resorts in Punta Cana are really wonderful for those seeking a pure all-inclusive experience. There are plenty of off-site excursions you can do from Punta Cana resorts, so you aren’t trapped there. It’s just that Punta Cana is a mostly new region that has been developed by Spanish resort chains that are able to offer an excellent product at a very good price. And as mentioned, the airport is quite new, and so are the main roads, so getting in and out is very easy compared to most other islands.

      We do have a list of our favorite Punta Cana resorts for different types of visitors. That should help you narrow it down a bit. But honestly with those resorts you can rely on the recent reviews from Expedia and TripAdvisor. The places are so large and busy that they get many reviews and the reviews tend to agree on most things.

      Personally I can recommend the group of resorts at Grand Bahia Principe as well as the Rui resorts next door. Each of those complexes has 5 or 6 different hotels that make up one huge place, and guests can use most of the facilities within their group. There is one meant for families and another for adults-only, and a luxury hotel on the beach itself, and a few other options. Check Expedia for your travel dates and look for the best promotional rates for a place that gets great reviews. Places that aren’t too full yet will often offer really good rates, and it’s hard to know which ones will be doing that for any given set of dates. Have a great trip. -Roger

  4. Tonya says:

    Hi…..planning July 017 vacation getaway and Cancun was our choice. We have actually already paid deposits.

    However I am getting wary of the destination with the current status of the relationship between the US and Mexico and the talks of building walls.

    Am I being paranoid….should we change destination and if so where would you suggest that would be same price points.

    Thanks in advance….

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Tonya,

      I may not have any more information than you do, but I wouldn’t worry about Cancun being different in July than it is now. Tourism a huge industry in Mexico and it’s very important to all parties that it continues, in spite of some of the threats. If you hadn’t paid a deposit you might consider shopping around, but personally I’d stay the course and assume you’ll go.

      Just in case something really big does happen, you’d probably have plenty of time to make a new plan, and they might even return your deposit. Nevertheless, I think you’ll be fine. -Roger

  5. James says:

    Hi and thank you for your expertise.. What is the best website to Purchase an all inclusive resort and flights for a couple on a budget?? looking to celebrate our five anniversary.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      James,

      I prefer Expedia, which actually has the same prices as other sites, and they often have their own special promotions. When I compare prices on other sites, they all tend to be the same in the end, but some show lower prices until you get to the last screen, where the other taxes and fees show up. Sometimes CheapCaribbean.com has good deals as well, but that’s one of the sites where your price jumps up only when you are about to pay. You might also try kayak.com, which shows the room rates from many other sites. They don’t offer package deals though. Expedia does offer package prices including airfare. Sorry I don’t have a better answer. -Roger

  6. Dawn says:

    Hi Roger,
    My friend, my sister and I would like to get out of the cold (MN)and find a very warm beach to stay at for 2-3 wks. We are open for suggestions. All-inclusive is great as we all love to eat. We will have my 19 mth old son with us. We are not huge partiers. Looking more for warmth, beach, ocean, food, and culture and SAFETY. It doesn’t matter if we stay in a hotel or bungalow. We would just like to be on/near the beach/ocean. Please give me your ideas. We are ready to go.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Dawn,

      If you really want to stay in an all-inclusive then your best bets would be Punta Cana or near Playa del Carmen. Two to 3 weeks sounds like a long time to be eating at the same buffets for every meal, however. And if you don’t drink much, an all-inclusive may not be great value, especially with a toddler to look after.

      Another thing about those all-inclusives is that you are generally very safe as long as you stay within the compound, but once you get outside of those compounds you can be in much less-safe neighborhoods. So again, if you want to spend 2 to 3 weeks in a compound, you’ll be fine.

      Still though, my favorite place to hang out for a longer period in the Caribbean is San Juan, Puerto Rico. The touristy areas along the beaches are very safe and quite well organized compared to most of the rest of the Caribbean. It is the United States, after all. There are some dodgy areas inland a bit, but you can stay away from those and have a fantastic time. The beaches in and near the city are wonderful as well.

      One reason I like it and recommend it there is that there are many nice apartment buildings in San Juan where the residents rent them out most of the year. That competition keeps prices reasonable, and a large apartment can be cheaper than a small hotel room. There are loads of great restaurants there, as well as large supermarkets to do your own shopping. My preference is the Condado neighborhood, which is also close to the gorgeous and historic Old San Juan. But the areas along the beach closer to the airport are quite nice as well, if a bit farther from Old San Juan.

      You can get by quite well with just English, which isn’t true in many Caribbean places. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  7. Peter says:

    Roger,
    Are you able to comment or rank the quality of the drinking water in the various Caribbean/Mexican locations?
    We’ve been to Cancun and a few islands, and we’ve had a few trips where one or both of us have gotten sick. Nothing ruins a trip more than getting sick. We suspect we caught the bug during a day trip to Chichen Itza, more so than in Cancun.

    Are some places better than others?

    thanks

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Peter,

      This is an interesting question, but I’m afraid I won’t be of much help. I think the tap water might be safe in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but I’m not even sure of that. Especially with your Cancun experiences, it’s best to stick to bottled water in the Caribbean. I think the bigger problem is that sometimes they wash fruits and vegetables in unsafe water at street stalls and casual places, so even if you are drinking bottled water you might still get unlucky. I had horrible food poisoning in Guatemala, which I think I got from eating a couple small slices of watermelon. I wish I knew more about this. Good luck. -Roger

  8. zaina says:

    Hi Roger,
    This is a fantastic website you have here. I am looking for advise on planning a trip in March 2017. We will be traveling as 2 adults and 2 children aged 11 and 6 years old and we are leaning towards an all inclusive for 2 weeks but at this point we would be open to a la carte, we are price conscious. The last time we hoped on a plane to travel was in 2013 for our destination wedding from Canada to Punta Cana. New years resolution is to travel more 🙂 any advise would be greatly appreciated

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Zaina,

      For an all-inclusive resort that is suited for families, you really can’t beat Punta Cana or Puerto Plata for value. For a modest room rate you get an excellent room, good food, and a long list of included activities that the children will enjoy. You can find some similar resorts in the Cancun area, although prices will be a bit higher.

      You mention that you are intending to “travel” more. One thing about an all-inclusive resort is that it’s more like visiting one resort than it is like traveling. So you get away from home, but you don’t really learn much about the place you are visiting.

      If you are open to a non-all-inclusive experience you might consider Playa del Carmen, which is a bit south of Cancun. Two weeks might be a long time there, but there is plenty to see and do, including some good nearby cultural sights such as Tulum.

      Another option that could be a good budget choice is San Juan, Puerto Rico. The strategy there would be to rent an apartment near one of the beaches, so you could do a bit of your own cooking. The hotels in San Juan tend to be pricey, but there are so many nice apartment buildings in the Condado area and elsewhere around San Juan that are rented by the week, that they are really good value. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  9. Larry says:

    Hello Roger,

    You seem to be the guru here, so I have a question for you. I was planning a 5-7 day vacation with my 12 year old daughter. Do you have any suggestions that might cater to some outdoor adventures and hiking? We are also both certified SCUBA divers, so that would be nice to include in the mix.

    Thank you.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Larry,

      Since you are asking this question at the bottom of an article about all-inclusive resort destinations, I am wondering how important that is to you? I’d think for a trip with a 12-year-old daughter that an all-inclusive might not be good value, since a good chunk of the room rate goes towards the free-flowing alcohol.

      Based on what you have in mind, the island that sounds best for you is Curaçao. It’s got really good SCUBA diving and also some national parks with interesting sights and very good hiking. It’s also not much of a party island, so I think it would suit you.

      Another island that has what you are after is Barbados. It’s larger with a wider range of resorts, so you might compare both of those. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  10. Bride-to-Be says:

    Hello Roger,

    I am looking to have my bridal party (6 of us) on a beach somewhere in February for my bachelorette. Do you have any suggestions on the best place with the best activities (things chicks like to do- shop, go on a boat, swim, jet skiing and look pretty on a beach lol!) around that time of the year?

    Many thanks in advance.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Bride-to-be,

      Sorry for the delay in responding. I just returned from a holiday road trip.

      You can find most or all of the things on your list on just about every Caribbean island, although some are much quieter than others and not all of them have nice beaches. And depending on your budget, some islands might be better than others. Hmmm…

      My first suggestion would be either Cancun or Playa del Carmen, and both of them have many great accommodation options in a wide range of prices. Cancun is mostly a strip of hotel towers along an excellent beach with a few shopping malls, night clubs, and restaurants in between. Playa del Carmen is about 40 miles south, and it’s a complete town (rather than just a strip of hotel) with far more to do and far more shopping and dining choices. The beaches aren’t quite as nice, but you can take a ferry across to Cozumel for nicer ones and more to see and do. Personally, Playa del Carmen is my pick for what you have in mind.

      Since you asked this question below a list of islands for all-inclusive resorts, I’m wondering if you want an all-inclusive? I really wouldn’t recommend it for this sort of trip, although you can actually find some great all-inclusive choices in that same area I mentioned. I think all-inclusives are ideal for couples and families, and not ideal for singles or groups who want to mingle and mix with locals and the destination.

      More expensive and with no all-inclusive choices, Nassau, Bahamas could be perfect for you as well. More specifically you could find resort no Paradise Island, which is just across the bridge from Nassau, and going back and forth is easy by taxi. The beaches there are great and you’ll find everything on your list in a really fun atmosphere.

      Another one to consider is St. Lucia, which is also more expensive and harder to reach than the Cancun area, but it has everything you are after. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger