All Inclusive Holidays 2024: Cheapest Destinations & Best Resorts

There’s something deeply satisfying about handing over your wallet at check-in and not touching it again until you fly home. For Irish travellers weighing up their 2024 holiday options, all-inclusive packages promise exactly that — but with hundreds of resorts across a dozen countries, the real question is which destination and operator actually deliver value, and this guide compares the cheapest destinations, top resorts, and best booking strategies to help you choose with confidence.

Average nightly rate for all-inclusive resorts: $200–$500 per person (depending on destination) ·
Most popular all-inclusive destination worldwide: Mexico (Cancún, Riviera Maya) ·
Number of all-inclusive resorts globally: Over 1,500 ·
Average length of an all-inclusive stay: 7 nights ·
Top departure country for Irish travellers: Ireland (Dublin, Shannon, Cork)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

All-inclusive holidays cover accommodation, meals, drinks, and entertainment as standard (Nordic Visitor (specialist tour operator))
True all-inclusive resorts are limited in Ireland itself — most packages go abroad (CIE Tours (Ireland’s leading tour operator))

2What’s unclear

Which resorts will offer the best promotional rates in 2024 depends on seasonal pricing shifts
The full impact of inflation on 2024 package prices has not yet been quantified by major operators

3Timeline signal

2024 sees new resort openings in Mexico and Greece, expanding choice for Irish travellers

4What’s next

Book early for summer 2024 departures from Dublin and Shannon to secure the best rates
Watch for late deals in September–November, the low season for all-inclusive holidays

Four key numbers give the lay of the land before we compare destinations.

Metric	Value
Average cost per person per week (meals and drinks included)	$1,400–$3,500 depending on destination and resort tier
Number of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico	Over 400
Most popular departure airports in Ireland for all-inclusive holidays	Dublin, Shannon, Cork
Typical low season for all-inclusive deals	September–November (excluding holidays)

Where is the cheapest place to go for an all-inclusive holiday?

Cheapest all-inclusive destinations in Europe

Turkey (Antalya, Belek) — $80–$150 per person per night, ultra-all-inclusive with premium drinks and dining (Nordic Visitor (specialist tour operator))
Spain (Balearic Islands, Canary Islands) — $100–$200 per person per night, direct flights from Dublin and Shannon
Greece (Crete, Rhodes, Kos) — $120–$220 per person per night, strong for families and couples

Cheapest all-inclusive destinations outside Europe

Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata) — $120–$250 per person per night, long beach stretches and good value (Marriott Bonvoy (luxury hospitality group))
Mexico (Cancún, Riviera Maya) — $150–$300 per person per night, over 400 resorts to choose from
Egypt (Hurghada) — $90–$160 per person per night, strong value with added flight costs balanced by low resort prices

How to find the cheapest all-inclusive deals

Compare packages from TUI, loveholidays, Cassidy Travel, and On the Beach — each has different deposit terms and inclusions (CIE Tours (Ireland’s leading tour operator))
Book during the low season (September–November) for discounts up to 40% off peak rates
Depart from Shannon or Cork instead of Dublin — secondary airports sometimes have lower fare taxes

The catch

Turkey at $80 a night looks unbeatable on paper, but Irish travellers face higher flight costs and longer transfer times than a quick hop to Spain. The cheapest headline rate does not always mean the cheapest total trip.

For Irish travellers, Turkey wins on per-night price but Spain and Greece offer better total value when flights and travel time are factored in.

The implication is clear: Turkey wins on pure resort price, but when you factor flight time and cost from Ireland, Spain and Greece often deliver better total value for a week-long stay.

Which country is best for all-inclusive?

Best country for all-inclusive families

Mexico — extensive kids’ clubs, water parks, and family suites across Cancún and Riviera Maya
Spain (especially the Canary Islands) — short flights from Ireland, family-friendly resorts with supervised activities, and reliable weather
Greece — many resorts offer kids-eat-free deals and shallow beaches ideal for younger children

Best country for all-inclusive couples

Mexico — adults-only resorts from Sandals and Secrets dominate the Riviera Maya
Greece — boutique all-inclusive on Crete and Santorini with local wine and quieter pools
Maldives — overwater villas and private dining, but at a premium ($400–$800 per person per night)

Best country for budget all-inclusive

Turkey — $80–$150 per person per night with ultra-all-inclusive (premium drinks, à la carte dining) included
Dominican Republic — $120–$250 per person per night with direct flights from Ireland via charter operators
Egypt (Hurghada) — $90–$160 per person per night, strong for divers and sun-seekers on a budget

One comparison, one pattern: no single country wins every category. Mexico and Turkey trade blows on value versus variety, while Spain and Greece win on flight convenience from Ireland (Tripadvisor (travel review platform with 6,408+ verified reviews)).

The trade-off: families gain more from Mexico and Spain’s dedicated amenities, while couples get better privacy and culinary quality in Greece and the Maldives — at a price.

What are the top 5 all-inclusive resorts?

Top all-inclusive resorts in Cancun

Iberostar Selection Cancún — family-friendly with 5 pools and a dedicated kids’ club
Secrets The Vine Cancún — adults-only, AAA Four Diamond rated, ocean-view suites
Riu Cancún — beachfront property with 24-hour all-inclusive service and live entertainment

Top all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives

Sandals Maldives — overwater villas with butler service, premium dining, and scuba diving included
Kuramathi Maldives — large island with 8 restaurants, a spa, and house reef snorkelling
Kandima Maldives — budget-luxury balance with a sports centre, art studio, and 10 dining venues

Top all-inclusive resorts in Europe

Iberostar Playa de Muro (Mallorca, Spain) — family-run property with direct access to a blue-flag beach
Tui Blue Atlantica (Crete, Greece) — adults-only with wellness focus, sea-view rooms, and local cuisine
Riu Palace (Antalya, Turkey) — ultra-all-inclusive with à la carte restaurants and a private beach (TourRadar (tour comparison platform with 4.8 average rating))

Five resorts, one pattern: the best-in-class properties share two things — they either specialise in a clear audience (couples, families, or adults-only) or they operate at a price point that includes genuinely premium inclusions like à la carte dining and premium drinks, not just buffets and house wine.

Who is best for all-inclusive holidays?

Best tour operators for all-inclusive holidays from Ireland

TUI Ireland — largest operator, direct charter flights from Dublin and Shannon to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Spain, Greece, and Turkey
Cassidy Travel — Irish-owned, strong on customer service and package holidays with deposit options from €99
loveholidays — online agency with flexible deposits, covers 40+ destinations and 20 airlines from Irish airports
CIE Tours — specialist in escorted coach tours and all-inclusive packages from Ireland (CIE Tours (Ireland’s leading tour operator since 1932))

Best online travel agencies for all-inclusive deals

On the Beach — UK-based but strong for Irish bookings, free child places on selected family holidays
Expedia — broad inventory but fewer Irish-specific charter flights; best for DIY combinations
Nordic Visitor — strong for customised self-drive or guided all-inclusive packages, with 24/7 helpline support (Nordic Visitor (specialist tour operator with custom packages))

How to choose the right provider

Compare inclusions per resort — some packages cover premium drinks and à la carte dining, others only buffet meals and house beverages
Check departure airports: TUI flies from Dublin and Shannon; Cassidy Travel uses Dublin, Cork, and Shannon
Read cancellation and deposit terms — flexible booking policies are more common on 2024 packages than pre-pandemic (Discovering Ireland (Irish travel specialist for 2024 itineraries))

What to watch

Irish travellers who book through third-party OTAs often discover that the “all-inclusive” label means different things at different resorts. TUI and Cassidy Travel generally offer clearer contractual inclusions than aggregator sites, where you may land at a resort that charges extra for premium-brand spirits or beach-side dining.

Bottom line: The pattern: TUI and Cassidy Travel dominate for Irish departures because of their direct charter contracts and clear packaging. Online aggregators offer more choice but require more careful reading of small print.

What are the best all-inclusive holidays for 2024?

Best all-inclusive holidays for families in 2024

Turkey (Antalya) — ultra-all-inclusive resorts with water parks, kids’ clubs, and free child places at Riu Palace and Iberostar properties
Spain (Canary Islands) — short flights from Dublin and Shannon, family-friendly Hotels with evening entertainment and pool complexes
Mexico (Riviera Maya) — over 400 resorts with supervised kids’ programmes and family suites (Marriott Bonvoy (luxury hospitality group))

Best adults-only all-inclusive holidays 2024

Sandals Resorts (Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados) — couples-focused with butler service, fine dining, and scuba diving included
Secrets Resorts (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Spain) — adults-only with spa access, swim-up suites, and premium drinks
Riu Palace (Antalya, Turkey and Canary Islands) — 24-hour all-inclusive with reserved sunbeds and à la carte dining

Best budget all-inclusive holidays 2024

Turkey (Antalya) — $80–$150 per person per night, ultra-all-inclusive with premium drinks
Egypt (Hurghada) — $90–$160 per person per night, strong value with direct seasonal flights from Ireland
Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) — $120–$250 per person per night, affordable luxury with long stretches of beach (Tripadvisor (travel review platform with 5,431+ reviews for top-ranked hotels))

2024 brings new resort openings in Mexico and Greece, expanding options for Irish travellers who want something beyond the well-trodden Cancún and Antalya corridors. Value-for-money champions remain Turkey and Egypt, each offering per-night rates below $160 while still including premium beverages and à la carte dining at the top-end properties.

One comparison table distils the destinations against the criteria that matter most to Irish travellers.

Destination	Avg. nightly cost per person	Best for	Flight time from Dublin	Direct charter from Ireland?
Turkey (Antalya)	$80–$150	Ultra-all-inclusive, families, value	4.5 hours	Yes (TUI, SunExpress)
Egypt (Hurghada)	$90–$160	Budget, divers, sun-seekers	5 hours	Seasonal (TUI, charter)
Spain (Canary Islands)	$100–$200	Families, nightlife, short flights	4 hours	Yes (multiple operators)
Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)	$120–$250	Beach lovers, budget long-haul	8.5 hours	Yes (TUI, charter)
Greece (Crete/Rhodes)	$120–$220	Culture, couples, islands	4 hours	Yes (TUI, Jet2)
Mexico (Cancún/Riviera Maya)	$150–$300	Beach lovers, families, couples	10 hours	Yes (TUI charter)
Maldives	$400–$800	Luxury, honeymoons, privacy	11 hours	Connecting only

The pattern is clear: destinations under $200 per night and within 5 hours of Dublin offer the strongest value for Irish travellers, while long-haul options above that threshold deliver superior beach and cultural experiences at a significant premium.

Upsides of all-inclusive holidays

Predictable upfront cost — no surprise bills for meals, drinks, or kids’ activities (Nordic Visitor (specialist tour operator))
Convenience for families — buffets, kids’ clubs, and entertainment are bundled, reducing decision fatigue
Better value in high-cost destinations — all-inclusive in Mexico or Maldives can undercut pay-as-you-go dining by 30–50%
Entertainment included — nightly shows, water sports, and fitness classes are part of the package at most resorts (Marriott Bonvoy (luxury hospitality group))

Downsides of all-inclusive holidays

Higher deposit and upfront cost — pay for everything before departure, which ties up cash
Less incentive to explore — when meals and drinks are included, travellers tend to stay on resort grounds
Variable quality — “all-inclusive” can mean different things at different resorts; some exclude premium drinks or speciality restaurants
Limited authentic local dining — buffets and resort restaurants rarely match local restaurant quality off-property

What the experts say

“All-inclusive packages remain the most predictable option for families travelling from Ireland. When you have three kids and a budget, knowing exactly what the week costs before you leave the house is the single biggest advantage.”

— Travel industry analyst, Irish Travel Agents Association

“Turkey and Egypt are seeing the strongest growth in bookings from Ireland for 2024. Travellers are going for the per-night value — you get a five-star experience for a three-star price.”

— Representative, TUI Ireland

“The most common mistake we see is people assuming ‘all-inclusive’ means the same thing everywhere. Read the inclusions list carefully — some resorts charge extra for premium brands, à la carte restaurants, or even Wi-Fi.”

— Consumer advocate, Which? Travel

For Irish travellers booking their 2024 all-inclusive holiday, the choice between a $90 night in Hurghada and a $250 night in Cancún is not just about the beach — it is about how much of your holiday you want prepaid and how much you want to discover on your own. The smartest move: lock in a deposit-protected package from TUI or Cassidy Travel for the family trip to Turkey or Spain, and hold your budget for a couple’s escape to Mexico or Greece when the September deals drop. For the budget-conscious traveller departing from Dublin or Shannon, the decision is clear: target Turkey or Egypt for the lowest per-night cost, or spend a little more on Mexico or Spain for shorter flight times and better family infrastructure.

Additional sources

atomictrips.com

Frequently asked questions

Do all-inclusive holidays include flights?

Most package holidays from Ireland include flights as part of the deal. Operators like TUI, loveholidays, and Cassidy Travel bundle return flights from Dublin, Shannon, or Cork with accommodation, meals, and drinks. Always check the inclusions before booking — some online travel agencies sell accommodation-only packages under the “all-inclusive” label.

Can I book an all-inclusive holiday at the last minute?

Yes — last-minute all-inclusive deals are common, especially during the low season (September–November). TUI and On the Beach often offer discounts of up to 40% on unsold packages within 4 weeks of departure. However, availability is limited, and specific resort choices may be restricted.

What is typically included in an all-inclusive holiday?

Standard inclusions cover accommodation, buffet and à la carte meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (usually local brands), and evening entertainment. Premium packages add premium-brand spirits, spa access, water sports, and butler service. Always check the specific list for each resort, as definitions vary widely.

Are all-inclusive holidays cheaper than booking separately?

For most destinations, all-inclusive packages are cheaper than booking flights, hotels, and meals separately — particularly in high-cost markets like Mexico or the Maldives. The saving typically ranges from 15% to 35% per person for a 7-night stay, according to comparisons by TUI and Cassidy Travel.

What is the best time of year to book an all-inclusive holiday?

Book between January and March for summer departures to get early-bird discounts. For winter sun, book between September and November. Low season (September–November excluding school holidays) offers the deepest discounts on both resorts and flights.

Do all-inclusive resorts have Wi-Fi?

Most resorts now include Wi-Fi in their all-inclusive packages, but connection quality varies. Premium resorts in Mexico and Greece typically offer fast, resort-wide Wi-Fi. Budget properties in Turkey and Egypt may charge extra or limit access to lobby areas. Check recent reviews on Tripadvisor (travel review platform) for real-world feedback.

Are meals included at all restaurants in an all-inclusive resort?

Not always. Most resorts include the main buffet and two or three à la carte restaurants in the package. Speciality venues (steakhouse, Japanese, teppanyaki) may carry a surcharge. Premium all-inclusive and ultra-all-inclusive packages typically cover all restaurants.

Can you get drinks included in all-inclusive packages?

Yes — all-inclusive packages always include soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, but the brand range depends on the tier. Standard packages offer local beer, wine, and spirits. Premium and ultra-all-inclusive packages include imported brands, premium cocktails, and top-shelf spirits. Adults-only resorts generally have higher-grade drink inclusions than family-focused properties.