All You Can Drink: What Really Happens at All-Inclusive Resorts

When you hear all you can drink, a marketing phrase used by resorts to promise unlimited access to beverages. Also known as unlimited drinks, it sounds like freedom—until you realize most places quietly cap how much you can actually have. This isn’t a trick. It’s a business rule. Resorts don’t want you drinking 20 cocktails a day. They don’t want drunk guests, overflowing bins, or staff overwhelmed. So they set limits—usually around six alcoholic drinks per person per day. That’s not written in big letters. It’s buried in the fine print, or whispered by bartenders who’ve seen it all.

What counts as a drink? A standard cocktail, a glass of wine, a bottle of beer. But premium spirits, imported wines, or fancy cocktails? Those often need extra credits. Some resorts give you a daily allowance of drink tokens—like a debit card for alcohol. Others just stop serving after the sixth round, no questions asked. You might not get yelled at. You’ll just get a polite, "I’m sorry, that’s your limit for today." It’s not personal. It’s policy. And it’s everywhere—from the Caribbean to Mexico to the Mediterranean. Even the fanciest resorts do it. The ones that don’t? They’re the ones you hear about in the news for safety issues or over-serving.

It’s not just about alcohol. Soda, juice, and coffee? Usually unlimited. Water? Always free. But if you’re looking for a midnight tequila shot or a third gin and tonic by the pool, you’ll hit a wall. And if you try to push it? Bartenders remember. You might get cut off, or worse—charged extra for "premium" drinks you thought were included. The truth? all-inclusive resorts, all-inclusive vacation packages that bundle meals, drinks, and activities into one price. Also known as all-inclusive hotels, they’re designed for relaxation, not bingeing. They’re meant to take the stress out of paying for everything. Not to turn your vacation into a pub crawl.

So why do people still think it’s truly unlimited? Because the marketing says so. "Unlimited drinks!" screams the ad. But the fine print? "Subject to reasonable limits." That’s the real phrase. And it’s there for a reason. Resorts know what happens when guests drink too much. They’ve seen the mess, the complaints, the lawsuits. So they manage it quietly. Smart travelers don’t fight the system. They plan around it. Drink your six, enjoy the sunset, sip your free soda by the pool the rest of the day. You’ll have a better time—and wake up feeling better.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories from people who’ve been there. From the guy who got cut off after his fifth margarita to the couple who learned how to stretch their drink credits without feeling cheated. We’ll show you which resorts are stricter, which ones are looser, and how to spot the ones that actually deliver on their promises. You’ll learn what counts as a drink, how to ask for more without sounding demanding, and why some resorts secretly let you go over—just not with the good stuff. This isn’t about rules. It’s about knowing the game so you can play it well.