You're searching for a sun vacation. Maybe it's Cancun. Maybe Punta Cana or Cuba. You start browsing and you may see the result in Sunbook.ca says "All-Inclusive from CAD $1,699 per person."
But what does that actually mean? Does that price include flights? Are all the restaurants free? Can you really drink as much as you want? What about tips, excursions, or that swim-up suite you've been eyeing?
If you've stared at an all-inclusive price and had no idea what you were actually paying for, this guide is for you. It's one of the most common questions we hear from our customers planning their first sun vacation, especially those who haven't travelled the Caribbean before.
All-inclusive is one of the most transparent ways to travel once you understand the structure. You pay one price, you land at your resort, and your food, drinks, and accommodation are included for the whole trip. No splitting restaurant bills, no surprise charges at checkout.
Here's exactly how the pricing of all inclusive packages, what's covered, what isn't, and how you can get a real deal in Sunbook.
Key Takeaways
- All-inclusive package = return flights + hotel + all meals + all drinks + airport transfers. One price only.
- Booking separately almost always costs more. Hyatt Ziva Cancun booked independently: CAD $6,300+. Same trip as an all-inclusive package through Sunbook: around CAD $5,600, meals and drinks included.
- Extras that cost more: water activities, spa, off-resort tours and excursions, premium alcohol, and tips (budget USD $5-10/day cash).
- Book 2-3 months ahead for the best rate. Peak season (Dec-Mar) packages sell out fast and get more expensive the longer you wait.
What Is an All-Inclusive Package?
An all-inclusive vacation package bundles together the two biggest travel costs into one upfront price: your round-trip flight and your hotel stay. On top of that, most all-inclusive resorts cover all your meals, drinks, and a range of activities during your stay.
Think of it like a cruise on land. Everything happens within the resort. The buffet, the a la carte restaurants, the swim-up bar, the beach loungers, the nightly entertainment, it's all covered. Usually included in the package price:
- Round-trip flights from your departure city (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, etc.)
- Hotel accommodation for the number of nights booked
- Airport transfers to and from the resort
- One free checked bag per person
- All meals (buffet plus multiple a la carte restaurants)
- All drinks, some including alcohol (beer, wine, house spirits, cocktails)
- Non-motorized water activities (snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards)
- Pool and beach access
- Fitness centre
- Nightly entertainment and shows
- Basic kids' clubs (at family-friendly resorts)
What's usually NOT included:
- Premium or top-shelf liquors
- Specialty restaurants requiring a reservation fee
- Motorized water sports (jet skis, speedboat rides, parasailing)
- Spa treatments
- Golf
- Off-resort tours and excursions
- Room service (at some resorts)
- Wi-Fi (at some resorts)
The exact list depends on the resort tier and brand. A budget resort might charge extra for a specialty restaurant. A luxury resort might throw in unlimited spa credits. So it's best to have a look on what's in your specific package in advance.
Package vs. Booking Separately
This is the biggest question most first-time travellers ask. Can you just find a cheaper flight on Google Flights, book the hotel directly, and save money?
In theory, yes. In practice, almost never save your money.
Here's a real comparison using Hyatt Ziva Cancun, one of the most popular all-inclusive resorts:
If you booked on your own:
Book on Hyatt Ziva Cancun website and a standard Turquoise Ocean Front Master Double starts at USD $907 per night. For a 3-night stay, that's USD $2,721, roughly CAD $3,750+ at current exchange rates. Room only, no meals, no drinks.
A non-stop Air Canada Rouge from Toronto (YYZ) to Cancun (CUN) is currently CAD $457 per person, and the return is CAD $633 per person. For two adults, that's CAD $2,180 in flights alone.
Add it together: CAD $3,750 for the hotel plus CAD $2,180 for two return flights is already CAD $5,930 for two people, before a single meal, drink, or airport transfer. Two people eating and drinking at a resort for 3 nights, even conservatively, adds another CAD $300 to $500 easily.
If you booked through Sunbook:
The same Hyatt Ziva Cancun all inclusive vacation trip for two adults is CAD $2,315 per person on Sunbook, the total including all taxes comes to CAD $5,643. Flights, hotel, all meals, all drinks, and airport transfers included.
That's a saving of over CAD $600 on a 3-night trip, including your food and drinks for the entire stay. On a longer 7-night trip the gap widens significantly.
What Actually Costs Extra at an All-Inclusive Resort
Even at luxury all-Inclusive resorts, some things are not covered.
Excursions and day trips: If you want to visit Chichen Itza from Cancun, swim in a cenote, or do a catamaran snorkel tour, you'll pay extra. Tours booked through the resort's travel desk are convenient but pricey. Booking with an independent local operator once you arrive is usually 20 to 40% cheaper.
Motorized water sports: Jet skis, parasailing, and speedboat rides are almost never included, regardless of the resort tier. Budget USD $60 to $150 per activity per person.
Spa treatments: Some luxury packages include a daily spa credit, but most resorts charge separately for massages, facials, and treatments.
Premium alcohol upgrades: Standard resorts include local and house spirits. If you want premium alcohol, expect to pay extra or upgrade to a higher room category that includes a premium drinks package.
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory at all-inclusive resorts, but it's genuinely appreciated by resort staff, especially at bars and restaurants or rooms. A reasonable budget is USD $5 to $10 per day, paid in cash. Bring some small US dollar or local currency for this.
Tips for Getting the Best All-Inclusive Price from Canada
Book 2 to 3 months in advance for the best rates.
Prices almost always go up as the departure date gets closer, especially for peak winter and spring break dates.
Be flexible on travel dates.
Flying mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday departures) is often CAD $100 to $200 cheaper per person than flying on a Friday or Saturday.
Check what room category is included.
Some advertised prices are for garden-view rooms. Ocean-view or swim-up rooms cost more. Decide what matters to you before you compare prices across platforms.
Book through Sunbook for the best price.
Sunbook works directly with a network of airlines, hotels, and travel partners to secure competitive package rates. Sunbook members also get access to a membership discount, which often more than covers the one-time annual membership fee of CAD $120 on a single trip.
Book Your All-Inclusive Packages at Sunbook
All-inclusive vacations are one of the easiest ways to travel. You pay one price, and everything is taken care of. It's best to know what you're buying before you book. Understand what's included, which resort tier fits your budget, and book early enough to get a fair price.
Ready to go? Browse all-inclusive packages departing from your city at sunbook.ca.
Sunbook Membership
Book Your All-Inclusive Packages at Sunbook
Ready to go? Browse all-inclusive packages departing from your city at sunbook.ca.
Written by
Emily Thornton
Resort Specialist
Emily specializes in matching traveler style and budget to the right all-inclusive product, with a focus on value and resort fit.
