How to Enjoy an All-Inclusive Solo
Members of the Solo Travel Society who have stayed at all-inclusives have lots of advice for travelers going to a resort alone.
Cecilia is enthusiastic about the activities offered.
From my experience, I suggest you join into every activity at least once. You are alone, on your own. If you withdraw afterwards, nobody is going to notice. Forget the “singles table”. It’s sad and you might be stuck with people you really don’t care for. Eat alone with a book. Enjoy. Then go to the bar. Sit at the bar. Keep the book handy. Tell the bartender you are alone, a bit bored, not desperate, and ask who they’ve spotted who might be good company. That worked for me.
Dan has a slightly different take.
I find all-inclusive resorts can be kind of a tough mix for solo travelers if you don’t set your priorities straight first. The temptation to “get your money’s worth” combined with any need for socialization you may be feeling can lead to too much alcohol or food indulgence. Solo all-inclusives are best for when you actually want solo time, like after a group tour or a particular trip that exhausted your social battery. It’s kind of counterintuitive, but all-inclusive resorts can be great places to truly be alone since there are fewer other solos, and you have to opt into any social events.
Sandra has this to say.
You can go to relax and rejuvenate or frolic and have fun. You can rest and read, do some light travel through excursions off the resort, or live the full resort experience from the swim-up bar to the dance floor at night. It’s all up to you.
Dina says,
I have gone to an all-inclusive, adults-only resort in Cancun by myself for the last five years. I love it! A few times there were other solo travelers there as well. It’s not as scary as I thought! I do what I want when I want. There are many people to talk to, and the staff is always very warm and welcoming.”
Clearly there are many ways to all-inclusive solo.
How to Find the Best Resorts for Solo Travelers
Solo travelers, like all travelers, are unique. We don’t all want or need the same thing in our travels or in an all-inclusive resort.
Also, from a financial perspective, resorts are not the easiest vacation option to find without the single supplement. It can be found sometimes but not often. In June’s Tracey’s List, she shared a screaming deal on resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. She has included the occasional resort in the past but, it’s not easy to find ones that meet her standards.
Below are resort recommendations from solo travelers in our community and then recommendations from people in the travel industry. Please note that the recommendations are based on experience and are not necessarily great deals. They could be depending on when you book and when you want to go, but there are no guarantees.
Traveler Recommendations for the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Solo Vacations
Thinking about going to a resort alone? Here are some all-inclusives to consider. They have all been recommended by solo travelers who have stayed there and had a great experience.
- Excellence Resorts. “Take a look at the Excellence Resorts. They have single rates – not half, maybe 30% less. I am going to Playa Mujeras in March and then Riviera Cancun in October. They also have one in Jamaica: Oyster Bay. I visited that one last March.” Jackie
- Grand Sunset Princess, Playa del Carmen. “I spent a week last year in June at Grand Sunset Princess (Playa Del Carmen) and absolutely loved it! Junior Suite with Swimout balcony was USD£1100 for me alone for the week.” Travis Editor’s note: This resort is closed for renovations until December 2025.
- Hamanasi in Belize. “Perfect for a solo trip. A bit of human contact, a bit of solo lounging. The treehouses are dreamy. The excursions are perfect for mobility issues–there are so many options. The staff is amazing. I did a week there last November and it was one of my favorite vacations ever.” Valerie
- Club Med. “So many activities great food and wonderful staff. You meet a lot of people. I did a single/adult would do it again in a heartbeat. It was my first solo trip!” Vivian “I’ve learned that it depends on the season but I booked and stayed at Club Med Yucatan in November for 0 single supplement.” Cass
- Riu Emerald Bay, Mazatlan. “Book on the app for Riu. Try different dates as the price varies. I have found it to be one of the lowest priced all- inclusives. I’ve been many times.” Patti “I just stayed at Riu Emerald Bay for a week. It was only £200 more.” Carla
All-Inclusive Solo Vacations Recommended by Industry Insiders
Here are three all-inclusive resorts catering to solo travelers, provided by Ravi Parikh, Founder and CEO of RoverPass. He compiled this shortlist for us to meet our threshold of a maximum 20% single supplement.
- Barcelo Bavaro Beach – Dominican Republic
- Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort on Bavaro Beach offers spacious rooms with side and front sea views. This beach ranks among the ten best beaches in the world. Travelers can have a fantastic time because of facilities like a football pitch, tennis court, swimming pool, golf course, water sports, wellness center, theater, and a casino. Excellent dining options include four different types of buffets and access to the entire complex.
- Body Holiday – St. Lucia
- Body Holiday is on a pristine crescent beach surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This beach resort offers a personalized experience of wellness and discovery. It is an ideal resort for health-conscious solo travelers because of the daily 50-minute spa treatment. Besides, you get complimentary BodyScience consultation, yoga classes, pilates, far-infrared sauna, meditation classes, and stress management classes. In addition, you can enjoy cycling, mountain biking, hikes, golf, tennis, archery, kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing, scuba diving, water aerobics, dance classes, and Zumba fitness classes. Many travelers go to this resort alone.
- Lake Austin Spa Resort – Austin, Texas
- Lake Austin Spa Resort is in the beautiful Texas Hill Country on the shores of Lake Austin. This resort has 40 charming lakeside guest rooms with all-inclusive getaways, meals, snacks, and an entire repertoire of activities and events. Travelers can enjoy excellent health benefits through an impressive choice of therapeutic and relaxing treatments. Other facilities include a secluded Cariblue Beach, three pools (Jacuzzi, Saltwater, and Thalassotherapy pool), a skin clinic, BodyScience, a dance and yoga studio, a waters-edge yoga deck, a luxury boutique, and a well-equipped wellness center.
10 Tips for Going Solo at a Resort
The key to going to an all-inclusive resort alone is to know what you want out of your vacation and how to get it. Here are some tips.
- Get all the details. Ask questions at reception to get the lay of the land. Are there communal tables in the restaurants? Is there a welcome reception for solo travelers? Where are the quiet spots on the resort? Ask the questions that will get you the information for the type of experience you want.
- Go to the welcome reception. Because many resort vacations start and end on Saturdays, there are sometimes welcome receptions or, at least, Happy Hours. If you want your resort vacation to be a social one, you want to be visible right from the start. This is also a great opportunity to spot other solo travelers.
- Go to breakfast at the busiest, or least busy time. Again, this depends on what you want. Want to be alone? Go when it’s not crowded so that you have your own table. Want to meet people? Go when it’s busy and you’re forced to sit with someone. They just may end up being a buddy for a week.
- Take some alone time. Don’t forget to take some alone time. Whether you find a cabana at the end of the beach or sit on your balcony and read, a bit of down time is healthy for everyone.
- Join day tours. Going to a resort alone doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time on the property. Most resorts have excursions off the resort. Take one and you’ll not only enjoy the tour but also meet other people staying at the resort–people you could meet for dinner or a drink later in the day. Here’s some inspiration: Cancun Solo: It’s Easy to Leave the Resort and Explore.
- Participate in activities. Whether it’s beach volleyball, cooking lessons, or learning the basics of a local craft, there are activities going on at every resort. Find out what they are and join in.
- Pamper yourself. I love a massage, though it is not something I typically get at home. At a resort, with time being on my side, I always have a massage or facial or some other sort of pampering. It’s a treat!
- Swim-up to the bar. If you really want to party during the day, the swim-up bar is usually where it’s at.
- Soak in the hot tub. While much lower key, the hot tub is another place to meet people and have a chat, especially at the end of the day.
- Enjoy the night life. Take in the evening entertainment or just sit and people-watch, but get out and enjoy the evenings. In Mexico and the Caribbean they are beautiful.
However you choose to enjoy going to a resort alone, whether you want something active or restorative, or whether you desire solitude or socializing, make it yours.
Did you know we maintain a list of tours, cruises, and other travel products with no or very low single supplements? It’s updated every month and you can browse the offers on our Deals Page, search for your preferred destination or trip type on our Searchable Trips Page or receive it by email each time the new list is published.
For more on traveling on your own, see our Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Travel Alone & Love It.
Last updated: 24th June, 2025
