Avoiding holiday stays in all-inclusive resorts proved to be a wise decision for me.
Ain't all-inclusive resorts just a snoozefest of repeating the same old scenes? Nah, I got proved wrong when I checked out one in Belize.
Thatch Caye Resort on this private island had me questioning everything I previously thought about all-inclusive stays.
With a boozy Piña Colada in hand, my ride-or-die and I were lounging on a hammock, soaking in the crystal-clear waters of beautiful Belize. Not too shabby, huh? Joining us were a couple of other couples, taking in the sunset that only seems to happen on vacay.
Just a little while later, those same couples—along with around 20 other guests—gathered together for a communal dinner of lobster, rice, beans, and fresh salad. Peace and quiet, my friends. Nothing like I imagined an all-inclusive experience to be. Well, except for the Piña Coladas, of course.
Before my arrival at Thatch Caye, I swinging thoughts of all-inclusive escapades as long lines of sunburned tourists jockeying for overflowing shrimp skewers and cheap grub. Chlorinated pools and scuffles over the last free lounge chair crossed my mind too.
But in 2024, those visions were illusion busting with a stay at the Thatch Caye resort, tucked off the coast of Dangriga, Belize. I left with a sunburn and a new, favorite way to unwind.
All-inclusive resorts never did it for me
For years, I listened to my buddies regale their all-inclusive adventures. They talked of hopping from eatery to eatery with full stomachs and lazy afternoons at swim-up bars. I got the gist, but the experiences felt repetitive. I had no clue if my mates had strolled the sandy shores of Jamaica, Mexico, or the Dominican Republic. It was all the same: the walks to buffets and sunny shorelines.
Half the tourists in Cancún, Mexico—a popular hotspot for all-inclusive joints near the seven wonders of the world—never leave the comfort of their accommodations reported the Ministry of Tourism of Quintana Roo in 2023. And as sustainable travel experts explained, staying in a resort owned by a massive corporation isn't the eco-friendliest way to jet set. If a tourist never leaves their resort, locals don't benefit from tourism.
"Many large resorts are owned by foreign multinational corporations, and most tourist dollars end up in their coffers. The jobs available to locals are often limited to entry-level roles and seasonal gigs. They can place a lot of strain on local communities—limiting access to beaches and wilderness areas, generating more waste and environmental pollution, and consuming precious resources—while contributing very little in return," Justin Francis, co-founder, and CEO of Responsible Travel, explained.
I'm all about absorbing natural landmarks, meandering through museums, and nibbling on tasty local cuisine. I make a conscious effort to prop up the locals at my destination, but I couldn't condemn those seeking some R&R and booking an all-inclusive vacation. I just hadn't been all that interested myself.
Enter a private island resort in Belize…
The previous year, my honeypot and I started plotting a diving trip, slated for Belize. Shuffling through various hotels, resorts, and properties lining the hundreds of islands, Thatch Caye caught my eye.
Nestled on a private isle off the coast of Dangriga, Belize, the place boasted several overwater bungalows. The photos convinced me I had an experience I craved—until the dreaded words popped up: all-inclusive.
After digging deeper, though, I understood if I ever warmed up to an all-inclusive resort, this was the one.
Thatch Caye doesn't fall under the umbrella of large corporate ownership and caps the guest list at 30 at a time. Compared to other all-inclusive resorts that overtake hundreds of guests, Thatch Caye didn't look so bad. For instance, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Jamaica flaunts a whopping 529 rooms, 16 restaurants, and 105 pools.
The accommodations at Thatch Caye were far from flashy air-conditioned hotel rooms, but instead, charming straw-covered overwater bungalows. Dinners didn't roll out in a dozen different restaurants, but there was a communal table and a solitary buffet each night.
Relaxation trumped my preconceptions
When it came to activities, the resort delivered the experiences that drew me to the country in the first place.
Although the island resort was compact, it had enough room for its own dive center, which offered excursions to the world's second-largest barrier reef for an additional fee. After a dive, we could use the resort's free paddleboards and snorkeling gear for more underwater adventures.
Don't forget the free adult beverages throughout the stay!
With perfect accommodations and adventures, I was prepared to reevaluate my stance on all-inclusive resorts.
My partner and I secured a couple of nights at Thatch Caye. Post-taxes and fees, a night in a swanky overwater bungalow at Thatch Caye sets you back about $950 (around $855) for two people—eye-watering, sure. But a less pricey sojourn can be as cheap as $110 (roughly $100) per night. High-end all-inclusive escapades, on the other hand, can charge $3000 (around $2700) or more for one night.
Not all all-inclusive vacations are the same
A boat picked us up close to the Dangriga airport. We cruised across the ocean for about 25 minutes before arriving at the resort.
The island's palm roofs shimmered in the golden hour as we approached, and even before setting foot on the resort, a friendly beach dog wagged its tail. We stepped off the boat and entered a resort illuminated by the late afternoon sun.
The staff at Thatch Caye greeted us warmly, offering chilly eucalyptus-soaked towels upon arrival. Fresh watermelon juice—spiked with rum and cherries—was another welcoming treat.
What I laid my eyes on was a far cry from the urban jungle I imagined when I heard the word resort. The island pulsed with nature: no soaring buildings, blaring music, or endless lines for food.
Instead, there stood the main lounge, an overwater pavilion for kicking back, and a beach. We were scheduled to gather at the outdoor table for dinner at 7 PM.
Not gonna lie, Thatch Caye didn't check off every box for a typical all-inclusive resort. The buffet options were limited, meals weren't served round-the-clock, and there was no fitness center or water park to explore.
But I finally got why folks opt for all-inclusive resorts. With our diving expedition already booked, our getaway structure was already set by the time we hit the island. We never felt the need to second-guess our budget or worry about overspending when ordering a fancy cocktail or devouring seafood. I couldn't help but gobble up three lobster tails at the buffet on the first night.
All-Inclusive Escapades Ain't so Bad Now
The small island vibe made me feel linked to the guests and staff. Plus, I dove into the protected underwater landscapes of Belize on the excursions.
For me, it was the perfect combo of excitement and R&R. I left the island, pondering what travel experts had to say about sustainable tourism. I felt a tad better about choosing Thatch Caye.
Thatch Caye keeps food waste in check by offering set meal times instead of an endless buffet, it composts unused food, and the island operates on solar energy, using rainwater for showers and sinks.
I walked away from Thatch Caye with a fresh perspective on what an all-inclusive vacation can be. I won't twitch at those two little words anymore, and while I'd still avoid the large all-inclusive resorts, I'll be keeping an eye out for more private isle escapades like this one.
The all-inclusive lifestyle in Belize at Thatch Caye Resort was a far cry from my previous assumptions. fresh Piña Coladas in hand, I soaked in the crystal-clear waters and enjoyed communal food-and-drink experiences with other guests.
Before visiting Thatch Caye, I pictured all-inclusive food-and-drink experiences as endless buffets and repetitive meals. But at Thatch Caye, I found communal dinners of local cuisine and seafood, which offered a unique and memorable food-and-drink experience.
