Last updated: August 9, 2026
Do Aruba all inclusive resorts make sense, or are you paying for food you will not eat? As locals, we get this question constantly. The honest answer: it depends on how you vacation. So let us break down when the all inclusive route wins, and when it quietly costs you.
When an Aruba all inclusive makes sense
Choose all inclusive if you want zero decisions: drinks by the pool, buffet dinners, and a fixed budget. Families with hungry teenagers often save real money this way. In addition, first-timers who plan to stay on the resort most days get solid value.
When it does not
Aruba has one of the best food scenes in the Caribbean, and it would be a shame to miss it. If you plan to eat out — dockside fried fish at Zeerovers, torch-lit dinners on Eagle Beach — the all inclusive premium works against you. Instead, book room-only and spend the difference at real tables. Our restaurant guide shows where.
The middle path most people miss
- Book breakfast-included rather than full all inclusive.
- Eat lunch cheap and local; make dinner the event.
- Compare both room types side by side with live prices on Agoda.
- Check our where to stay guide for which strip fits you.
Bottom line
All inclusive in Aruba is convenience, not savings — unless you drink and snack all day, in which case it is both. Either way, decide before you book, because switching later is expensive. Then plan the fun part with our tours guide.
