Prep:

More than likely, you will be visiting a foreign country and likely have a considerable distance to travel.  So be prepared.  Know what the local currency is, and if you will need to visit the bank for an exchange (note - most airports have currency exchanges as well - but the rates are not as favorable!)  Be sure to carry some cash on you, and if nothing else, the US dollar usually goes a long way. Inform your credit agencies / banks if you will be in multiple countries so they don’t flag / block your account for suspicious activity.   If you’ve got tablets, ipods, or smartphones - load them with travel music, or even movies for the flight, and in-case of a rainy day at your all-inclusive. Most rooms feature big-screen TV’s and connected electronics so you can pick your own playlists.  Remember to turn your cell-phone data off prior to takeoff ( so you don’t get charged data roaming fees when you land) and contact your cellular company to understand out-of-country fees.  Find your USB, phone, or computer chargers, and consider a travel power-adapter depending on your destination.  Know what documents are required for travel and at the resort - at minimum, your passport, tickets, and hotel / transfer information.  Make copies of your passports, or driver’s license and leave them at home, as well as planting a key and contact instructions for family / friends in case there is an emergency while you are on vacation.

On-The-Go:

Making your trip comfortable - means making you comfortable along the way.  Wear travel-appropriate clothes in layers and fabrics matched to your final destination.  Refer to our PACKING category around what to bring in a DayOne bag, and keep it close as you travel to store water, snacks, hand-sanitizer, cash, and travel documents.  For long-haul flights, be prepared with refreshing towelettes, eye-drops, and hand-lotion, makeup necessities, and a neck-rest, eyemask and earbuds.  Arrive early to the airport, and consider using a credit-card to gain access to a lounge; Use airline points, pay for an upgraded seat section, or at least select your seats in advance; Order champagne or a cocktail in flight, and leave the stress of everyday life behind you on the runway.  When you arrive, consider a private transfer to your resort, and inquire about a romantic surprise delivered to your room upon arrival.  We can’t stress this enough - the getting to, and getting from your resort counts as your vacation too! Don’t cheap out.

Customs:

It’s not surprising that  all-inclusive destinations are in remote, tranquil settings - it’s what you want for a vacation - but not exactly ideal logistics scenarios.  Many of the airports are under-staffed and under-equipped for flight after flight of sun-seeking tourists and can get overloaded quickly.  In particular, you must remember that crossing borders, and international travel are matters of national security.  You may have packed sunscreen, but someone else may have packed illegal narcotics or weapons.  This means that clearing customs is routine, but a serious part of getting to your all-inclusive destination.  Whether you traveled by air, or water, you will be handed out customs cards (usually in the native language of the country) prior to landing.  If you are travelling as a family, as a couple (even with different last names) you can fill out a single form as head-of-household. If you are an individual, even travelling with a group of individuals, but are unrelated - you each must fill out a form.  Know how long you will be staying, the name of your resort, and airline / ferry information.  It’s easy, but follow the rules - and be prepared for long lines.  Long, long, lines. So hit the restroom on the plane before you land, and grab a water bottle - because you’ve got more to get through before your final destination.

Transport:

The more exotic and secluded the location, the longer it will take to arrive.  Many all-inclusives are accessible by major airports, but some require additional travel time through car / van, or by ferry and smaller aircraft.  If you’ve ever walked out of Cancun’s International airport into the hungry field of transport, rentals, and tour-guides - you know what it’s like to swim with the sharks.  Transfers should always be pre-arranged by you, the hotel, or the travel agent - usually this means sharing a transport van with a bunch of other vacationers, staying in hotels (hopefully) close to yours.  We recommend a quick online search to provide private, safe, and faster transportation directly to and from your hotel - spend a little more now,and spend less time getting there. Be wary of deals too good to be true - and if you are a cautious traveller you can book directly through the hotel or travel agent.