Here are 6 Things to Know When Planning an All-Inclusive Vacation to make sure you pick the right resort.

There are so many things to consider when looking at all inclusive resorts for your perfect vacation. So, what exactly should you be looking for? What features are important to you? What questions should you be asking? You don't have to get overwhelmed when choosing where to stay for your next all-inclusive vacation.

We interviewed Renee with La Colección, the largest hotel chain in Mexico, to see what you need to be looking for when choosing an all-inclusive resort.

Within La Colección, as with most other all-inclusive resorts, there are four distinct types to choose from:

• Adults Only All Inclusive Resorts which usually specialize in relaxation like Live Aqua
• Deluxe Family All Inclusive Resorts like Grand Fiesta Americana
• Standard Family All Inclusive Resorts like Fiesta Americana
• Custom All Inclusive Resorts like Explorean Cozumel, where your stay includes excursions

It’s likely that one of these types already stands out to you depending on the type of vacation you’re looking for. Beyond these examples, our agents visit many all-inclusives throughout the year and can often give their first-hand experience from numerous resorts.

Once you have the type of resort checked off, we can move on to other key elements of your best vacation yet.

First things first, the very most important question to answer before booking your next all-inclusive, is where your resort is located. Some of the hot spots in Mexico include:

• Cancun
• Cozumel
• Los Cabos
• Puerto Vallarta

It's important to know what each of these locations offer. If you're looking for clear blue waters and white sandy beaches, you may want to consider Mexico's east coast. Mexico's west coast is more mountainous, lush with deep blue waters.

Another deciding factor when looking at location choices are the flight options. Direct flights and flight prices should be taken into consideration before you book your destination vacation. In addition to this, you’ll want to look up weather patterns and additional activities. Whether you want to hike a Mayan ruin or snorkel in the beautiful water, a little bit of research goes a long way.

Of course, no vacation is complete without spending a relaxing day on the beach. However, it’s important to know what type of beach you’re looking for, so you aren’t surprised when you arrive at the resort.

Because of this, we’ve listed just some of the characteristics of Mexico’s famous beaches below.

• Cozumel- soft sand, blue waters, swimmable locations and public beaches
• Cancun- soft sand, blue waters, swimmable locations and public beaches
• Los Cabos - more private and rocky beaches, great location for snorkeling

One of the best features of an all-inclusive resort is the food. Whether you order room service or indulge in an all-you can eat buffet, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

However, many all-inclusives are changing up the game by removing generic buffets and providing their guests with more a la carte options.

At deluxe resorts you might even be able to order exactly what you want from a personal chef. The dining vibe really matches the setting and guests can enjoy farm to table, gourmet food.

Another important thing to look for when planning an all-inclusive vacation is what the all-inclusive actually means. Because this feature varies from resort to resort, you’ll want to double check drink packages, advance dining reservations and dress codes before you head out on your vacation.

The overall ambiance of the hotel is an important factor to consider when booking an all-inclusive vacation. A family-friendly property has a much different vibe than an adults-only one. Depending on who you’re traveling with, you’ll want to do some research on what each resort specializes in.

For example, at the Live Aqua resorts, the adults-only atmosphere is focused on relaxation. This means that the Live Aqua is perfect for honeymoons, bachelorette parties or even just a vacation get away with your loved one.

The Grand Fiesta Americana, Fiesta Americana and Explorean are all family-friendly, so they include activities that cater to both adults and children.

While relaxing on the beach is fun for some, others like to go on adventures. Luckily, most all inclusive resorts offer a variety of excursions and activities that you can enjoy, sometimes at an additional charge.

If you are looking to venture out of the resort, we would suggest that you book one of the Explorean resorts. At the Explorean resorts, all of the excursions are included in your all-inclusive stay. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy kayak adventures, non-motorized sports, fitness classes, kids' clubs (3-12) and teen clubs at no additional cost.

We hope that you enjoyed reading our top 6 things to know when planning an all-inclusive vacation!

When you’re ready to experience everything that all-inclusive properties have to offer, make sure you give one of our travel experts a call at 855-GET-AWAY or check out our all-inclusive packages online. We can’t wait to help you plan your next dream vacation!