How Many Meals Do You Get at All-Inclusive Resorts?

When you book an all-inclusive resort, you’re not just paying for a bed and a beach. You’re buying peace of mind-no surprise bills, no haggling over menus, no wondering if you can afford that third cocktail. But one question always comes up: how many meals do you get at all-inclusive? The answer isn’t as simple as ‘three a day.’ It depends on where you are, what you’re paying, and even what time of year it is.

Most All-Inclusive Resorts Give You Three Main Meals a Day

At the vast majority of all-inclusive resorts, especially in the Caribbean, Mexico, and parts of Southeast Asia, you’ll get breakfast, lunch, and dinner-every single day of your stay. These aren’t just basic buffets either. Most places offer multiple dining venues: a main buffet, at least one à la carte restaurant, and sometimes even a poolside grill or beachside seafood shack.

At Sandals in Jamaica, for example, you get access to 11+ restaurants across the property, including Italian, Thai, French, and steakhouse options-all included. You don’t have to choose just one. You can have sushi for lunch and lobster thermidor for dinner, and it’s all covered. Same goes for Club Med in the Mediterranean or Hyatt Zilara in Cancún. The key is: you’re not stuck eating the same thing every night.

Breakfast Is Usually a Buffet-But It’s Not Just Cereal

Breakfast at an all-inclusive resort is often the most varied meal of the day. Expect hot options like eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausages, pancakes, and fresh pastries. Most places also have a dedicated station for fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, juices, and coffee. Some even offer continental breakfasts with smoked salmon, cheese platters, and charcuterie.

At Beaches in Turks and Caicos, they even have a 24-hour breakfast menu. So if you wake up at 3 a.m. craving waffles, you can get them. That’s not a gimmick-it’s standard at higher-tier resorts. The rule of thumb? The more you pay, the more flexibility you get.

Lunch Is Where the Real Variety Shows Up

Lunch is where resorts really flex. Many have themed lunch options: Mexican day, Caribbean night, Italian evening-all served at different restaurants. You might start with ceviche at the beach bar, move to a burger and fries at the poolside grill, then finish with a pasta bowl at the Italian trattoria-all without leaving the property or paying extra.

Some resorts even offer lunchtime room service. At Secrets Resorts in Mexico, you can order from the à la carte menu and have it delivered to your cabana. That’s not an upgrade-it’s included. And if you’re not in the mood to leave your room? Most places have a grab-and-go station with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and snacks available all afternoon.

Dinner Is Where the Magic Happens

Dinner is often the highlight. Most all-inclusive resorts now treat dining like a culinary experience. You’ll find chefs in white hats, candlelit tables, live music, and menus that change nightly. You’re not just eating-you’re tasting local flavors. In the Dominican Republic, you might get plantain-stuffed empanadas. In Thailand, you’ll find green curry with fresh coconut rice.

Resorts like Excellence in Punta Cana offer a “Dine Around” program. You can book a table at five different restaurants during your stay, each with a different cuisine. You don’t need to pay extra. You just need to make a reservation-usually done via the app or at the front desk. Some even have chef’s tables with tasting menus. That’s not luxury. That’s standard now.

Snacks and Drinks Are Part of the Package Too

Meals aren’t just the big three. Most all-inclusive resorts include snacks throughout the day. That means ice cream, fruit, chips, cookies, and even pizza slices are available at designated snack bars. Some places have 24-hour snack stations with popcorn, sandwiches, and pastries.

Drinks are included too-alcoholic and non-alcoholic. That’s soda, beer, wine, cocktails, and premium spirits. You won’t find every single bottle of single-malt Scotch, but you’ll get top-shelf options like Grey Goose, Jack Daniel’s, and Bacardi Superior. Coffee and tea are always included, even at the 7 a.m. breakfast bar.

What’s Not Included? The Exceptions

Not everything is free. Most resorts charge extra for:

• Specialty restaurants that require reservations (though many are still included-check the fine print)
• Room service after midnight (some charge a fee)
• Branded premium alcohol (like Patron tequila or Dom Pérignon)
• Off-property excursions or dining
• Spa treatments, laundry, or airport transfers

Some resorts have “gourmet” packages that unlock extra dining options for a small fee. But even then, you’re usually getting access to a few more restaurants-not paying for the meals themselves.

How Many Meals Actually Make Sense?

Let’s say you’re staying for seven days. At three meals a day, that’s 21 meals. But most guests don’t eat all of them. You might skip breakfast because you’re out snorkeling. You might grab a smoothie and fruit instead of the full buffet. You might eat dinner at 9 p.m. because you’re watching the sunset.

The real value isn’t in the number of meals-it’s in the freedom to choose. You can eat like a king one night and a snack-only diet the next. You can have a three-course dinner and then a midnight ice cream cone. You can eat five times a day if you want. No one’s counting. No one’s charging you extra. That’s the power of all-inclusive.

Family vs. Adult-Only: Meal Differences

Family resorts like Beaches or Nickelodeon Resorts have kid-friendly menus-pizza, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese. But they also have full-service restaurants for adults. You’re not stuck with kid food. You can order steak or sushi at the same time your kids are having pasta.

Adult-only resorts like Secrets or Secrets Wild Orchid focus more on fine dining. They might have fewer kid-friendly options, but they offer more wine pairings, chef’s tables, and upscale ambiance. The number of meals? Still three. But the experience? More refined.

Seasonal Changes and Resort Upgrades

Meal offerings can shift with the seasons. In winter, resorts in the Caribbean may add more hot soups and stews. In summer, they’ll focus on lighter fare: salads, grilled fish, tropical fruit. Some resorts even change their menus monthly to keep things fresh.

Resorts that just opened in 2024 or 2025-like the new Dreams Macao in Mexico-have expanded their dining options. You might find vegan tasting menus, sushi bars with live chefs, or even cooking classes included in your stay. The trend is clear: resorts are treating dining as a core experience, not an afterthought.

What to Do If You’re Not Sure

Before you book, check the resort’s website. Look for the “Dining” section. Most will list:

• Number of restaurants included
• Meal times
• Whether room service is free
• If premium drinks are included

Call the resort directly. Ask: “Are all restaurants included in the rate? Is there a limit on how many times I can eat at the à la carte spots?” If they hesitate, that’s a red flag.

Read recent reviews on TripAdvisor or Google. Look for comments like: “We ate at 8 different restaurants and never paid extra,” or “We were charged for dinner at the Italian place-wasn’t included.” Real guests know the truth.

Bottom Line: You Get More Than You Think

So how many meals do you get at all-inclusive? Technically, three a day. But practically? As many as you want. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, desserts-you can eat all day, every day, without opening your wallet. The real question isn’t how many meals you get. It’s how many you’ll actually eat before you run out of time.