Certainty is the difference between a stress-free itinerary and inviting chaos into time away. This is as much of a mindset as it is a strategy for those looking to get the most out of their resort stays while taking in the true essence of their chosen destination.
And contrary to popular belief, it is absolutely possible to strike a good balance of on-resort leisure and off-resort adventure without stretching yourself thin. Whether you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck at an all-inclusive or living the soft life at a luxury resort, you probably want to enjoy the ease and amenities of your accommodations without it turning into a staycation.
Leave indecision at home and soak in every minute of your beach vacation with these tips and tricks — including some more specific recommendations — you’ll need to take the work out of putting together your next itinerary.
Don’t sleep on pre-travel planning
Scope the scenery out at least a week or two ahead of your trip (a month in advance is ideal) to understand what all your accommodations have to offer. Many resorts, like Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, offer activities available on-site and nearby that you can book in advance. Popular adventures like swimming with dolphins, golfing and wine tastings are more likely to sell out during peak travel seasons, so don’t sleep on booking early and aligning your budget (and wardrobe) accordingly. And if you’re traveling with a group, pre-planning will allow you all to align the itinerary.
Have a full day of relaxation
Whether you like to ease into your travel or get down to business as soon as you land will depend on when you pick the ideal lazy day. A full day to do nothing during a tropical vacation should be either on the first full day of the trip or the day before you fly out. This is the ideal vacation day because it’s full of slow, intentional moments to rest and get pampered.
Sleep in and treat yourself to room service for breakfast or brunch. Some resorts, like Pueblo Bonito Cabo San Lucas, allow you to place your food order and schedule when you’d like for it to be delivered ahead of time. It’s the simple things like this that make a vacation feel like a vacation. Once you’re ready to leave the room, head to the spa for a treatment. If you’re traveling to Jade Mountain in St. Lucia, consider booking a massage at Kai en Ciel overlooking the iconic Pitons Mountains.
After you’re all rejuvenated, head to the pool or beach to spend hours on end sunsoaking on a cabana with a good book and good eats. A great travel hack is to book a cabana on Resort Pass if there’s a neighboring resort you’re dying to check out. Renaissance Island at the Renaissance Hotel is a great experience if you’re looking for a more secluded escape in Aruba.
Eat and drink extremely well
Trying the local cuisine, fresh catches and specialty cocktails and mocktails is essential. And a hill I’m willing to die on is that eating outside of the resort will trump sticking to what’s at the hotel nine out of 10 times.
Definitely take advantage of the eateries on the property, but make a list of both local high-end and casual restaurants that pique your interest. My favorite way to keep track of these is through flagging restaurants I’m interested in trying on Google Maps, since it’s an app I already use fairly often. When you’re tired of resort food and it’s time to make a fast decision on where to eat, you’ve already narrowed down some casual options you can head to.
Reserve a table in advance for the more in-demand restaurants when you do dine on property. Consider splurging for a special dining experience like hibachi or omakase. For foodies who love upscale experiences, Ikos Resorts across the Mediterranean offer a complimentary program that allows guests to eat at select local restaurants outside of the property.
Yacht day
No matter what I have going on during my beach vacations, I know that if there’s water, getting on a boat is necessary. And there are so many ways to enjoy your time on the water. I love a sunset cruise on a private yacht, similar to what you’ll be able to experience at Grace Bay Club in Turks & Caicos. Through the resort, guests can book their 65-foot custom catamaran and enjoy elevated dining. If you’re looking for something a bit more exciting, many destinations offer snorkeling, diving and whale-watching excursions. But if you just want to party, a booze cruise in Punta Cana is what you need. Consider this an opportunity to choose your own adventure at sea.
A night on the town
This one depends on how bad you want to cut up. Some resorts, like the SLS Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas, offer clubs and casinos on the resort. For a night off the beaten path, research listening lounges, festivals and parties in the area for a more authentic nightlife experience. In the Cayman Islands, Whale Rider Records is the island’s first listening lounge and an absolute vibe. If you’re headed to Jamaica in June, check out Reggae Sumfest for a night of dancehall. But if you want a more turnt night out, you can’t go wrong clubhopping on the popular strips in cities like Cancun, Ibiza or Cannes.
Leave room for whimsy
Dilly dally, babe. Serendipitous discovery can be the best part of travel. You can’t plan those moments that take you by surprise and leave you in awe. That’s a life lesson that gets reinforced when you’re on foreign land and it usually ends up being the best souvenir you get to take home.