Traditional All-Inclusive vs. Flexible All-Inclusive Plans in Cabo San Lucas: Which Option Is Best?

Planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas? If so, you may be looking into booking an all-inclusive vacation — after all, Los Cabos continually tops the list of best destinations for all-inclusive travel year after year!

However, what many travelers don’t realize when booking an all-inclusive stay in Cabo is that there are sometimes levels of customization available for all-inclusive packages, depending on where you stay. The two most popular are traditional and flexible all-inclusive, and in this post, we’ll break down the key differences between each vacation model to help you determine which fits your travel style best.

Key Takeaways

• Most resorts in Cabo San Lucas offer traditional all-inclusive packages that require guests to commit to all meals, drinks, and resort dining for their entire stay. While convenient for travelers planning to spend all of their time at the resort, these packages can feel limiting for guests who want flexibility to explore Los Cabos beyond the property.
• At Villa La Estancia Resort in Cabo San Lucas, guests can enjoy a more flexible all-inclusive experience with a 3-night minimum package option, allowing them to mix resort dining days with days spent exploring Cabo’s excursions and attractions.
• Our flexible all-inclusive packages are ideal for travelers who want the best of both worlds – relaxing resort days paired with the freedom to experience everything Los Cabos has to offer.

What Is a Traditional All-Inclusive Package?

A traditional all-inclusive resort experience is what you might first think of when you hear the term “all-inclusive,” since this is what most resorts in Cabo offer. This fully-bundled, convenience-first resort model includes all meals, drinks, and amenities in one upfront price and covers most resort spending.

Generally, most traditional all-inclusive resorts require guests to commit to dining packages for every night of their stay. While this is ideal for travelers who desire a hands-off vacation that is relaxing and predictable, it’s not conducive to travelers who wish to include off-site exploration or five-star dining experiences in their itineraries.

What Is the Flexible All-Inclusive Package at the Villa La Estancia Resort?

Unlike a traditional all-inclusive package, a flexible all-inclusive package gives you more control over the vacation experience and is a unique offering at the Villa La Estancia Resort in Cabo San Lucas. Rather than a one-size-fits-all vacation model with a single price tag, flexible packages allow travelers to pick and choose how much is bundled into the experience.

During your stay with Cabo Rentals by Jane at the Villa La Estancia Resort, you have the flexibility to add on the all-inclusive plan for a three-night minimum. This allows you to choose the days of your vacation you want to spend relaxing at the resort — with meals and drinks included from our five-star restaurants — and the days you want to venture out from the resort to explore Cabo’s local culture, dining scene, and nightlife. You can also choose between all-inclusive packages with unlimited alcohol and plans without alcohol (called full board plans) — providing further customization for your all-inclusive experience.

Flexible all-inclusive packages offer the best of both worlds — you can spend three (or more!) days soaking up the all-inclusive experience in Cabo on the sandy shores of Medano Beach, while adding on as many extra days as you’d like to explore Los Cabos at leisure without paying for an unused dining package. This allows you to maximize the value of your vacation in Cabo, which in our opinion, is what luxury is all about!

Key Differences Between a Traditional All-Inclusive Plan and the Flexible All-Inclusive Plan at Villa La Estancia Resort

Structure

• Traditional — Traditional all-inclusive plans provide a structured, resort-contained experience. Everything is included — once you arrive at the resort, you have no reason to leave.
• Flexible — Flexible all-inclusive plans at Villa La Estancia Resort are great for travelers who want the all-inclusive experience for a few days of their vacation, but who also want the freedom to venture out and explore Cabo San Lucas without worrying about paying for unused resort meals and amenities.

Cost

• Traditional — Traditional all-inclusive vacation models provide upfront pricing for all lodging and meals. Aside from additional expenses (such as airfare), the amount you pay for the traditional package is basically the only amount you’ll have to pay for the whole vacation.
• Flexible — Flexible all-inclusive models allow for hybrid spending — in other words, some days of the trip will have lodging and dining included in the price (all-inclusive), while others will include just the price of lodging (so you can purchase meals when you’re out exploring Cabo).

Dining

• Traditional — A traditional all-inclusive package includes all dining at the resort. This means all meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — are included in the price, but your culinary experience in Cabo San Lucas will be limited to the restaurants at the resort.
• Flexible — A flexible all-inclusive package at Villa La Estancia includes meals and drinks at the resort on the days you choose, but excludes meals on the days omitted from the all-inclusive plan, allowing you to explore the local dining scene in Cabo. In contrast to many all-inclusive resorts, Villa La Estancia offers access to renowned restaurants to deliver a true five-star culinary experience, including La Casona, Neptune, and El Patrón.

Travel Style

• Traditional — A traditional all-inclusive plan is best for hands-off travelers who want a resort-contained vacation, with the focus on convenience and relaxation.
• Flexible — A flexible all-inclusive plan is perfect for travelers who still want the all-inclusive vacation experience, but who also want a trip filled with exploration and adventure, from desert excursions and tours to dining experiences that spotlight the local culture.

Traditional vs. Flexible All-Inclusive Packages: Which Option Is the Best for Me?

Traditional

A traditional all-inclusive package might be the right choice for you if you want:

• A fully hands-off vacation with everything planned in advance.
• A resort-contained experience that focuses on on-site dining and amenites.
• One upfront cost for easier budgeting.

Flexible

A flexible all-inclusive package is likely the best option for you if you want:

• Greater flexibility over the itinerary and how the vacation is structured.
• A trip experience that blends on-site relaxation with off-site experiences to fully explore Cabo.
• The ability to save money by only paying for inclusions that will actually be used.

Searching for a Customizable All-Inclusive Cabo Vacation? Look No Further Than Cabo Rentals by Jane

The truth is, there isn’t a “better” option when choosing between traditional and flexible all-inclusive plans in Cabo — only you can choose which option is the best fit for your travel style and priorities.

Regardless of your preferences, our team at Cabo Rentals by Jane believes that true luxury is about having options. Whether you want a hands-off all-inclusive vacation at the Villa La Estancia Resort or desire a more flexible approach that allows for a blend of laid-back lounging and local exploration, our team would be happy to help craft the perfect all-inclusive plan for your needs and budget.

Browse our stunning vacation rentals to get started, and contact us with questions. We look forward to hosting you!