All-inclusive beach resorts

When you're vacation, you have some pretty important things to think about. Order the garlic shrimp, or the fettuccine alfredo? Snorkel first, or scuba dive? Get up early to watch the sun rise over the beach, or don't bother going to bed at all? Of all the things you have to worry about on vacation, the one thing you shouldn't think about is your budget.

Most of us never get to live the life of the rich and famous, taking lavish vacations and spending unlimited sums on the best of everything. Instead, we live the life of the rich and famous at all-inclusive beach resorts.

To be sure, budgets are a fact of life. But should having a spending limit necessarily mean suppressing all of your desires, just because they're not listed in your budget? Of course not. When you're on vacation, you deserve to be pampered. You've worked hard all year, and you've earned the right to eat, drink and go a little crazy.

All-inclusive beach resort vacations make it possible for vacationers to get the most out of their travel dollars. Today there are over 400 hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico alone offering all-inclusive beach resort vacation packages for budget-savvy tourists. However, all-inclusive beach resort vacations aren't always as problem-free as they may seem. You need to carefully compare available resorts before choosing your vacation destination.

Research and compare all-inclusive beach resorts, and you'll find that the packages, accommodations and resorts themselves can greatly vary. Some hotels offer packages that are designed for couples only. Others are created for singles, for gays or lesbians, or for families. Many beach resorts are intended for adults only, so be very careful if you're planning a family vacation.

Aside from the resorts themselves, vacation packages can vary in terms of the services they provide. Unfortunately, not everyone's perception of "all inclusive" is the same. Some include airfare and hotel. Others encompass airfare, hotel, transfers, and some meals. There are resort vacations that are all-inclusive, with the exception of airfare. Some beach resorts include all alcoholic drinks, as long as they're not premium brands, or served before 7 pm or after midnight. Compare prices and offers, and you'll find ways to save money. Including airfare as part of an all-inclusive package can be cheaper than booking and paying for your own flight, and will save you extra steps in planning your trip.

If you want to find the best deal, it's best to first identify what you want and need in your all-inclusive beach resort vacation. Once you realize the features and amenities you're expecting, you can begin to sort through all the vacation deals you'll find. Travel agencies and the Internet are great ways to find many resorts and packages to compare.

The greatest advantage to booking an all-inclusive beach resort vacation is having everything you need for just one price. Knowing this, you can relax and enjoy your holidays knowing there won't be any nasty surprises waiting at your destination. Your budget will stay intact, and all you'll have to worry about is whether to have the pina colada, or the marguerita.