I thought all-inclusive resorts were a scam until I did the math on a Cancun trip

My cousin swore by this package deal to Cancun for $800 and I laughed at her, thinking you always pay more in hidden fees and watered-down booze. Then I actually priced out the same 5 nights with a cheap hotel, separate flight, and meals at local spots and it came to $1,050 before I even added a snorkeling trip. Has anyone else found a resort deal that actually beat DIY travel costs or am I still missing something?

2 comments

2 Comments

emmajackson1d ago

Did that $800 actually cover the taxes and resort fees though?

wright.michael1d ago

Ha! No way. The $800 is just the bait. By the time you add the "mandatory" resort fee that's like $50 a night, plus state and local taxes, plus the random "occupancy tax" and "service charge" they invent out of thin air, you're looking at a solid $1100-1200 minimum. I swear hotels just make up fees now, it's like they're running a government scam. I've seen places add a "destination fee" for a pool that was closed.