What to know about drinking limits on all-inclusive vacation before you go

The beauty of an all-inclusive vacation is that everything is paid for ahead of time, so you can relax and enjoy yourself.

Unfortunately, not every vacationer gets the stress-free vacation they desire.

Jason Walker, 42, had scheduled an all-inclusive vacation to Majorca with his family, but when he arrived, he was surprised to hear that a new legislation had been adopted prohibiting alcohol consumption.

The party was limited to a maximum of six drinks each day; three at lunch and three at dinner, rather than the unlimited alcohol expected on a holiday like this.

Jason claimed he was “extremely irritated and angry” since they hadn’t received the board basis advertised, which is natural. Despite the fact that it is part of official Balearic legislation to prevent antisocial behavior in places like Magaluf and Ibiza, you would naturally feel cheated.

To minimize disappointment, check the small print and conduct preliminary research before leaving.

Here’s everything you need to know about anything from the destinations that are now restricting all-inclusive drinking to the little-known limitations that many hotels put in place.

Where do the restrictions on all-inclusive drinks apply?

The Balearic Islands recently implemented all-inclusive drinking limitations of six drinks per day, however the laws do not apply uniformly across the islands.

Because these laws are intended to target rowdy vacationers, they are concentrated in locations where antisocial behavior is common.

The following areas are affected:

Majorca

Magaluf
El Arenal
Playa de Palma

Ibiza

Sant Antoni

Pub crawls will be prohibited in these regions, as will the selling of alcohol in stores from 9.30 p.m. to 8 a.m. each night.

‘We want British tourists – we don’t want this type of tourism,’ Balearic Islands Tourism Minister Iago Negueruela stated.

‘British tourism is essential for our islands. We share with the British government the view that some images of British tourists are embarrassing.’

‘We want to put a stop to bad behaviour. We will increase the police presence in these areas and the number of inspectors – we will have zero tolerance for tourism excesses.’

If you enjoy a drink and are planning an all-inclusive vacation, stay away from these spots.

All inclusive presented

It’s a good idea to check the rules of an all-inclusive vacation before booking, whether you’re going to the Balearic Islands or elsewhere.

Because there is no formal definition of all inclusive, you may not have the same experience at every resort.

While it usually means that all meals and drinks are included, some travel companies provide budget choices (often called “basic” or “light all inclusive”) as well as upgrades (called “plus” or “premium”) at various price ranges.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited soft drinks and local alcoholic drinks are usually included in most all-inclusive packages.

Plus packages can contain extras like premium beverages or a ‘free’ mini bar in your room, whereas light all inclusive is closer to full board and will have food and drink limits.

Before planning your vacation, always read the fine print to understand what you might expect.

While checking, keep in mind that most hotels only sell all-inclusive alcohol during specified hours, beyond which you will be charged.

A la carte restaurants, WiFi internet, and access to on-site spas, golf courses, or watersports are examples of additional services that may not be included as part of this board basis.

Make a note of the facilities you’ll need and want for your vacation, then check to see if they’re included in the package you’re reserving.

If you find that you need to budget for a variety of extras in order to have your ideal vacation, self-catering may be a better option.

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