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You book an all-inclusive resort because you want to relax-no worrying about bills, no counting coins for cocktails. The brochure says "unlimited drinks," and suddenly you’re imagining sipping margaritas by the pool all day, every day. But here’s the truth: all-inclusive doesn’t mean you can order six drinks an hour. Most resorts cap it at around six drinks per day, and that’s not a loophole-it’s policy.
What "Unlimited" Actually Means
When you see "unlimited drinks" on an all-inclusive resort website, it sounds like you can order as many mojitos as you want, whenever you want. But that’s not how it works. Resorts use "unlimited" as a marketing term, not a literal promise. In practice, they set daily limits to keep costs under control and avoid reckless behavior. Most all-inclusive properties, from Sandals in Jamaica to Moon Palace in Mexico, allow between five and six alcoholic drinks per person per day. This isn’t a secret-it’s written in the fine print. You just have to look. Some resorts track your drinks by scanning your room key or wristband every time you order. Others just trust you to stay within reason. But if you try to order your seventh margarita before lunch, you’ll get a polite but firm "That’s your limit for today."Why the Limit Exists
Resorts aren’t trying to ruin your fun. They’re protecting their bottom line-and your safety. Serving unlimited alcohol would mean higher costs for staff, more waste, and a higher risk of guests getting sick, rowdy, or injured. One study from the University of Florida found that resorts with strict drink limits saw a 40% drop in emergency room visits from alcohol-related incidents compared to those without limits. Also, imagine a guest ordering 10 cocktails in two hours, then stumbling into the pool. The resort has to respond, clean up, deal with liability, and potentially lose future bookings from other guests who feel unsafe. It’s not just about money-it’s about keeping everyone safe.What Counts as a Drink?
Not all drinks are created equal. A standard drink is usually defined as:- 12 oz of beer (5% alcohol)
- 5 oz of wine (12% alcohol)
- 1.5 oz of spirits like rum, vodka, or tequila (40% alcohol)
Non-Alcoholic Drinks Are Usually Unlimited
Good news: soda, juice, water, coffee, and tea are almost always truly unlimited. You can refill your water bottle at the bar, grab a fresh orange juice at breakfast, or sip iced tea all afternoon without penalty. Many resorts even offer premium bottled water, smoothies, and mocktails as part of the package. That’s why smart travelers focus on hydration. If you’re drinking alcohol, alternate every other drink with water. It helps you stay sober, saves your drink credits, and keeps you from waking up with a pounding headache.
How to Maximize Your Drink Credits
If you’re planning to enjoy drinks all day, here’s how to stretch your six credits:- Save cocktails for evenings. Order beer or wine at lunch-they’re cheaper to make and often count as one drink.
- Ask if your resort offers "happy hour" specials. Some give you extra credits during off-peak times.
- Stick to house liquor. Premium brands like Grey Goose or Patrón may cost extra or count as two drinks.
- Don’t order large-format drinks like pitchers or buckets-they usually count as multiple servings.
- Use your credits wisely. One sunset cocktail with a view beats three mediocre ones in the middle of the day.
What Happens When You Hit Your Limit?
Once you hit your daily limit, you can still order drinks-but you’ll pay extra. Prices vary by resort. At a mid-tier property, a single cocktail might cost $8-$12. At luxury resorts, it could be $15-$25. That’s not expensive compared to a city bar, but it adds up fast. Some guests try to work around the system by ordering drinks under different names or using a friend’s key. That rarely works. Staff are trained to spot this. And if you’re caught trying to cheat the system, you might get flagged for the rest of your stay-or even asked to leave.Are There Resorts With No Limits?
A few high-end resorts, like the Four Seasons Bora Bora or the St. Regis Maldives, offer true unlimited alcohol as part of their premium packages. But these are exceptions. They charge $1,000+ per night for a reason: they’re targeting guests who don’t care about drink limits because they’re paying for exclusivity, not volume. For the vast majority of all-inclusive resorts-especially those priced under $400 per night-six drinks a day is the standard. If you’re looking for unlimited alcohol without the price tag, you’re likely setting yourself up for disappointment.
What to Do If You Really Want More
If you’re a heavy drinker and six drinks a day feels too restrictive, here are your options:- Upgrade to a premium all-inclusive tier. Some resorts offer "premium plus" packages with 10-12 drinks daily.
- Book a resort with a full bar and BYOB policy. A few properties, especially in the Caribbean, let you bring your own alcohol to your room.
- Consider a non-all-inclusive resort with a good drink package. You can buy a separate drink pass for $25-$50 per day and get unlimited access.
The Real Value of All-Inclusive
The point of an all-inclusive isn’t to drink your way through the week. It’s to avoid the stress of tracking every expense. You get meals, snacks, activities, and drinks without constantly pulling out your wallet. That freedom is worth more than an extra cocktail. Think of it this way: if you spent $10 on a drink every time you ordered one, six drinks a day would cost you $60. At a $300-per-night resort, that’s already covered. You’re not losing out-you’re saving.Final Thought: It’s Not About Quantity, It’s About Experience
Six drinks a day sounds limiting until you realize you’re not just paying for alcohol. You’re paying for a whole experience: beach access, live music, nightly shows, water sports, and service that doesn’t ask for your card every time you want a refill. The best all-inclusive vacations aren’t the ones where you drink the most. They’re the ones where you feel relaxed, safe, and truly unplugged. A slow sunset cocktail with your toes in the sand, enjoyed without guilt or worry-that’s the real deal.Do all-inclusive resorts really limit drinks to six per day?
Yes, most do. While they advertise "unlimited drinks," the reality is that nearly all all-inclusive resorts cap alcohol consumption at five to six standard drinks per person per day. This is to control costs, prevent overconsumption, and ensure guest safety. The limit is often tracked via room key or wristband scans.
Do cocktails count as one drink or multiple?
It depends. A simple rum and Coke usually counts as one drink. But tropical cocktails with multiple shots of liquor-like a piña colada or margarita-often count as two or even three drinks. Resorts use standardized recipes, so if a drink contains more than 1.5 oz of alcohol, it’s typically marked as multiple credits.
Are non-alcoholic drinks included in the limit?
No. Soda, water, juice, coffee, tea, and most mocktails are almost always truly unlimited at all-inclusive resorts. You can refill your glass as often as you like without using up your alcohol credits. This is why staying hydrated with water between alcoholic drinks is a smart strategy.
What happens if I try to order more than my limit?
You’ll be politely told you’ve reached your daily limit. After that, you can still buy drinks-but you’ll pay extra, usually between $8 and $25 per cocktail, depending on the resort. Trying to bypass the system by using someone else’s key or ordering under different names is risky and often results in being flagged or asked to leave.
Are there all-inclusive resorts with no drink limits?
Very few. A handful of luxury resorts like Four Seasons Bora Bora or St. Regis Maldives offer true unlimited alcohol as part of ultra-premium packages, but these cost $1,000+ per night. For the vast majority of all-inclusive resorts, especially those under $400/night, the six-drink daily limit is standard.