Are St. Lucia All-Inclusive Resorts Worth It?

Affiliate Disclosure – Some links on onthegowithashley are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you choose to book or purchase through them. This comes at no additional cost to you.

Planning a trip to St. Lucia and wondering if staying at an all-inclusive resort is worth it?

For many travelers, the idea of staying at an all-inclusive St. Lucia resort can seem very appealing — and easy. Meals, drinks, entertainment, and activities may all be included in the all-inclusive package, which can make it a great option for some travelers.

But staying at a St. Lucia all-inclusive resort might not be the best option for everyone. I personally think it’s important to take a few factors into consideration before you decide to go all in on that all-inclusive package. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you should know about staying at an all-inclusive resort before you book your St. Lucia vacation.

For more tips on planning your St. Lucia vacation, check out these posts:
– 15 Unforgettable Things to Do in St. Lucia
– Rodney Bay vs. Soufrière: Where to Stay in St. Lucia
– Where to Stay in St. Lucia: A Guide to the Best Resorts for Every Budget and Vibe
– St. Lucia Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
– St. Lucia: Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary

photo of Check-In & Ca$h-Out travel ugc ebook banner

photo of view from terrace at resort in St. Lucia

photo of woman sitting in a dress along a ledge and looking out at the view in St Lucia

The Biggest Advantage of St. Lucia All-Inclusive Resorts: Convenience

One of the best reasons to stay at an all-inclusive St. Lucia resort is convenience. During my time at an all-inclusive resort, I realized how much easier it is to have pretty much everything I needed right on-site.

Rather than leaving the resort three times a day to eat, I simply had to decide which resort restaurant I wanted to eat at.

It’s so easy and convenient to wake up, grab breakfast, spend the day at the pool or beach, and then walk over to a restaurant when I am hungry. I didn’t have to worry about budgeting for restaurants, bars, or transportation to get to and from wherever I wanted to eat. All of those costs were already included in my all-inclusive package.

The convenience makes St. Lucia all-inclusive resorts ideal for anyone who wants to book a relaxing getaway. You might consider this option if you’re booking a St. Lucia honeymoon, romantic getaway, or family vacation. All-inclusive resorts are perfect for anyone planning a St. Lucia vacation where they want to spend the majority of their time at the resort.

photo of beach at Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia

The Biggest Disadvantage of All-Inclusive St. Lucia Resorts: Missing Out on the Rest of the Island

Here’s where things get complicated — and where I personally wouldn’t recommend all-inclusive resorts to everyone planning a trip to St. Lucia.

St. Lucia is known for its dramatic landscapes: the Pitons, the rainforest, waterfalls, volcanic attractions, sunset cruises, and so much more. There are so many local St. Lucia restaurants to choose from, and so many cultural experiences that you won’t want to miss out on. If you stay at a St. Lucia all-inclusive resort, you’ll likely end up spending the majority of your time at the hotel and miss out on these experiences.

And if you choose to spend several days of your vacation outside of your resort, then an all-inclusive St. Lucia resort package is less beneficial. You’ll end up paying for meals, beverages, and activities off-site rather than enjoying the benefits offered in the all-inclusive package.

For travelers who want cultural experiences and to explore the island during their St. Lucia vacation, it would be wiser to choose a traditional resort or opt out of an all-inclusive package, if that is an option. \

photo of woman holding "On the Go" digital travel magazine in airport

What Do St. Lucia All-Inclusive Resorts Include?

What’s included in an all-inclusive package ultimately depends on the St. Lucia resort. Depending on the resort, packages may include:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Snacks and beverages
Alcoholic beverages
Pools and beach access
Entertainment
Non-motorized watersports (kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, pedal boating, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing)

Before deciding to stay at an all-inclusive St. Lucia resort, it’s important to read the terms of the package so that you fully understand what will be included in your stay.

photo of views from Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia

paddleboarding photo at Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia

No Matter Where You Stay, I Suggest Trying Some Local Cuisine!

Whether you decide to stay at a St. Lucia all-inclusive resort or not, I highly suggest leaving the resort to try some local cuisine at some point during your trip! There are so many great St. Lucia restaurants to try out! Some of my favorite places to eat in St. Lucia include:

Flavours of the Grill in Gros Islet
Golden Taste in Gros Islet
Spinnakers Beach Bar and Carvery on Reduit Beach
Jacques Waterfront Dining at Rodney Bay
Dasheene at Ladera Resort in Soufrière (for great food and epic Piton views!)

The Gros Islet Street Party on Friday nights is also a great place to try some authentic island flavor.

If you’re a foodie, I also recommend taking a food tour to taste some of the island’s flavor! Book a food tour here!

photo of two pools at Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia

So, Are St. Lucia All-Inclusive Resorts Worth It?

They can be — depending on how you want to experience the island.

If your ideal St. Lucia vacation involves lounging by the pool, relaxing on the beach, enjoying the resort restaurants, and drinking at the resort, then an all-inclusive package at a St. Lucia resort can be an excellent fit for you.

If your priority is to explore the island, enjoy local restaurants, take excursions, and spend most of your time away from the resort, an all-inclusive St. Lucia resort wouldn’t be worth it. You’d benefit more from staying at a traditional St. Lucia resort.

Looking for the best St. Lucia all-inclusive resorts the island has to offer? Check out the 5 Best All-Inclusive Resorts Near Rodney Bay and the 5 Best All-Inclusive Resorts Near Soufrière!

Want Help Planning Your St. Lucia Vacation?

Choosing a St. Lucia resort is just one factor to consider when planning your trip. Are you trying to figure out the best things to do in St. Lucia? If so, I highly recommend my 7-day St. Lucia itinerary, which is packed with the island’s top attractions, transportation logistics, and other travel tips to help you make the most of your time on the island!

Do you want to get paid to travel to cool places like St. Lucia? Grab my $1 guide, Booked While You Sleep, for ideas on how to make money traveling, or learn how I get paid to travel the world with my ebook Check-in & Ca$h-Out!

Want to read about travel that changes you? Grab the first edition of On the Go, my digital travel magazine!

For more tips on planning your St. Lucia trip, check out these posts:
– When Is the Best Time to Visit St. Lucia?: A Guide to Weather, Crowds & Prices
– Is St. Lucia Expensive? How to Visit on a Mid-Range Budget
– Where to Stay In St. Lucia for the First Time: North vs. South
– The Ultimate 3-Day North St. Lucia Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Rodney Bay
– The 7 Best Beaches in St. Lucia