Puerto Rico ranks high on my list of great vacation destinations for a lot of reasons, including its rich history and culture, delicious traditional foods, nearly 300 (!) beaches, and temperatures that hover around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. And while Puerto Rico has just a few traditional all-inclusive resorts, if you’re willing to get a little DIY with your all-inclusive approach, there are tons of options that make for easy-breezy tropical vacations.
And unlike Mexico, Jamaica, Aruba, and many other tropical locales, if you’re a U.S. citizen, you won’t need a passport to visit Puerto Rico. And though it’s one of the Caribbean islands without many traditional all-inclusive resorts, it actually has a ton of nearly all-inclusive options, which can be especially appealing to families looking for easy fun.
The Best Puerto Rico All-Inclusive Resorts (and Almost All-Inclusive Resorts)
These family-oriented resorts and hotels in Puerto Rico offer plenty of included activities plus inclusive meal plans and other perks similar to those found at fully all-inclusive resorts. Here are my top picks.
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1. Tropical Inns Puerto Rico
Yabucoa and Maunabo, Puerto Rico
The Tropical Inns Puerto Rico is a collection of four small hotels billing itself as the only fully all-inclusive Puerto Rico hotel brand. All of the “paradores” (local family-owned hotels) are on the southeast side of the island in either the coastal town of Yabucoa or a bit south in Maunabo. All are either on the beach or close to the beach and all have swimming pools on property.
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The four properties are Parador Palmas de Lucia, Parador Costa del Mar, Parador MaunaCaribe (currently closed for renovations, see note below), and Hotel Lucia Beach. Tropical Inns Puerto’s Rico’s all-inclusive family package is a three-day, two-night deal that includes dinner on day one (check-in is at 3:00 p.m.); full breakfast, lunch, and dinner on day two; and a full breakfast on day three (check-out is at noon). Waiter tips, room taxes, and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Alcohol is not included in the inclusive package rates. Children under 10 years old stay for free.
EDITOR’S NOTE: As of late 2024, three of the four hotels (Parador Palmas de Lucia and Hotel Lucia Beach, which are right next to one another; plus Parador MaunaCaribe, about 15 minutes away) are open, while the fourth property, Parador Costa del Mar is currently closed for major renovations.
2. Club Seabourne Hotel
Culebra Island, Puerto Rico
Club Seabourne is a popular mini resort on Culebra Island off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Culebra is home to one of oldest wildlife refuges in the United States, and has giant sea turtles and large seabird colonies along with miles of pristine beaches and coral reefs. At Club Seabourne, the vibe is very low-key, friendly, and uncrowded enough that you won’t have to battle the crowds for a place at the pool or beach.
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Like most other Puerto Rico hotels and resorts, this one isn’t fully all-inclusive in the traditional sense, but the amenities that come standard with all stays here bump it up into the nearly all-inclusive resort territory at a fraction of the price of most all-inclusives. Daily a la carte breakfast, airport and ferry transfers, Wi-Fi, and kayak and bike use are included in the cost of your stay.
There are also periodic offers that bundle or discount airfare connections between the island and San Juan or Ceiba. And two kids up to 12 stay free in many of the room types. Well-priced accommodations range from family villas with two bedrooms to more basic rooms, but every stay comes with these extras that give you a kind of all-inclusive Puerto Rico vacation experience.
3. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
On the island’s northeast side, the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort is a sprawling nearly all-inclusive Puerto Rico resort that borders El Yunque National Forest. It’s a real crowd-pleaser with three lagoon-style swimming pools that have cool features like a waterslide and waterfall, plus kids’ activities including arts and crafts, bingo, and hair braiding. And for grown-ups there’s the onsite spa and two golf courses. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico is also a casino resort with both slot machines and table games.
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This Wyndham hotel periodically offers a meal plan package if you’re staying three nights or more. While this inclusive rate is not available year-round, when it’s offered you can get three meals daily, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (house brand during restaurant and bar hours), use of tennis courts, and one round of golf per room as part of the package price. Several other promotions are often available too, including a B&B package with daily breakfast and special discounts for AAA and AARP members.
4. Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Perched on Isla Verde Beach pretty close to downtown San Juan, the 388-room Fairmont El San Juan Hotel mixes a sort of classic elegance with modern amenities. And though it’s an international brand, when you’re on property, you’ll feel connected to the island thanks to the cultural ambassador concierge who can share information about local history and hidden gems in town and around the island.
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Around the resort are tennis courts, a fitness center, a beach, and four pools. And while there are no fully all-inclusive options at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, a variety of promotional offers throughout the year (like free daily breakfast included in your package rate) allow you to bundle dining credits and fitness or entertainment activities into a nearly all-inclusive Puerto Rico vacation.
5. Parador Guanica 1929
Guanica, Puerto Rico
Paradors are small (and typically family-owned) inns found throughout Puerto Rico. One great example is Parador Guanica 1929, which offers basic accommodations plus meal plans at a lower price point than most other Puerto Rico all-inclusive resorts. Parador Guanica 1929 is a nice but no-frills hotel that’s a real bargain for families. Consider it a great place for your family to bunk down after long days out around the island.
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The property dates back to 1929 (hence the name) and is on the southwest side of Puerto Rico, about a 15-minute drive from the Copamarina Beach Resort. It offers several different meal package options: one that’s just for breakfast, one for breakfast and lunch, and a third fully inclusive option that covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily at the on-site restaurant.
6. Royal Sonesta San Juan Resort
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Also located on Isla Verde Beach, the Royal Sonesta San Juan Resort makes it easy to mix city and beach in San Juan. It sits on a white-sand beach but is close enough to city sights that many guest rooms have views of Old San Juan. All rooms are outfitted with a balcony, mini fridge, and sitting area. For families and groups looking for a bit more space, there are junior, executive, and club suites (and presidential suite options, too, if that’s your jam).
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The resort has seven restaurants and bars, which include casual eateries as well as upscale restaurants. There’s also a lagoon-style pool and ocean-facing fitness center. Though not fully all-inclusive, Royal Sonesta’s special packages allow you to bundle a combination of breakfast, happy hour, and parking with your room rate to maximize your value. The “Join Us for Breakfast” option can be a money-saver for families.
7. La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Three outdoor pools and an ideal location on popular Condado Beach in San Juan draw families to La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort. Both the setting and the stylish guest rooms and suites make for a great home base in the city, while a variety of special packages offered throughout the year allow you to bundle resort credits and/or room upgrades. A daily breakfast buffet is included in some of the packages. The hotel can also connect you with rainforest tours, beach horseback riding, bioluminescence kayak trips, and other off-resort adventures.
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Many are drawn to San Juan for the party vibes, and at La Concha there’s regular live music, DJs at the pool, and events on the beach. Guest rooms range from standard with city views to a presidential suite, and all have at least a microwave and a mini fridge. Four bars, cafes, and restaurants on property mean you don’t have to leave to eat well, but the hotel is also just steps from a wide range of options.
EDITOR’S NOTE: As of late 2024, The Loft Beachfront is closed for renovations and a new restaurant, Levant, is scheduled to open soon.
8. Copamarina Beach Resort and Spa
Guanica, Puerto Rico
The beachfront Copamarina Beach Resort and Spa sits on 20 acres of landscaped grounds on the southern side of the island. This sleek and stylish nearly all-inclusive Puerto Rico accommodations include standard guest rooms, one-bedroom suites, and three-bedroom villas. Depending on the promotions running at the time you book, you can choose from inclusive packages and discounts that offer meal plans for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.
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There’s regular included evening entertainment at the al fresco Las Palmas Cafe, and some activities are also included in the nightly resort fee, such as the use of bicycles; tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts; ping-pong tables; and the family resort’s fitness center. Staff often plan fun events like sandcastle-building competitions or outdoor movie nights. Note that using the resort’s kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddle boards does cost extra.
FAQ: Answers to common questions about Puerto Rico all-inclusive resort vacations
1. Does San Juan have any all-inclusive resorts?
San Juan doesn’t have any true all-inclusive resorts that bundle rooms, meals, activities, and gratuities into one price. However, some hotels in the San Juan area do offer bed-and-breakfast packages, including the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel and the Royal Sonesta San Juan Resort. So if you’re willing to book a package, you can get pretty close to the all-inclusive experience at the resorts listed above.
2. Is La Concha Resort all-inclusive?
The beachfront La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort is not all-inclusive but it does offer some packages that include a food and beverage credit or a special meal, making it a good example of the many partially all-inclusive Puerto Rico resorts and packages you can find on the island.
3. Is the Villa Montana Beach Resort all-inclusive?
Independently owned Villa Montana Beach Resort stretches along 35 acres of secluded beachfront on the northwest tip of Puerto Rico. The hotel has a loyal following and a true culinary focus, but it isn’t technically all-inclusive. Of note for families and groups are its one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas, which offer plenty of room for people traveling together.
4. What about luxury resorts in Puerto Rico? Are any of those all-inclusive?
Puerto Rico has some world-class luxury resorts, including The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort and Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve. Dorado Beach sits on part of a Rockefeller estate and features villas and suites with ocean views, plus two golf courses. The St. Regis is tucked among the trees on a former coconut farm close to El Yunque National Forest. And while you can expect a high level of service from such Puerto Rico luxury resorts, what you shouldn’t generally expect is an all-inclusive vacation experience.
5. What’s the cheapest month to fly to Puerto Rico?
December through March is the high season in Puerto Rico, which means those are the most expensive months to fly to Puerto Rico. Your best bets for finding cheap flights are the summer and fall months, which fall during hurricane season.
6. What months are considered hurricane season in Puerto Rico?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts each year on June 1 and runs through November 30 (but peak hurricane season is considered mid-August to late-October). This six-month period accounts for most hurricanes that affect the Caribbean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts and tracks hurricanes and other weather disturbances each year. Its National Hurricane Center website offers real-time monitoring, preparedness tips, and educational resources.
If you choose to visit Puerto Rico during hurricane season, it’s a good idea to make sure your flight and Puerto Rico all-inclusive resort stay are refundable. It’s also wise to consider travel insurance and plan for the possibility of disruptive weather.
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Additional reporting by Christine Sarkis
