What Country Has the Cheapest All-Inclusive in 2025? Prices, Seasons, and Smart Picks

Sep, 6 2025

If you’re asking which country has the cheapest all-inclusive, you want a straight answer, not a vague detour. Here it is: for the lowest per-night resort prices, Turkey usually wins, with Egypt right behind. But the place that’s cheapest to stay isn’t always the cheapest trip once you add flights, transfers, and taxes. So I’ll give you the short list, the price ranges, the best months, and a simple way to pick the cheapest option based on where you’re flying from. I live in Wellington, so I’m painfully aware that the “cheapest” answer shifts with your starting point.

TL;DR: Cheapest all-inclusive countries in 2025

• Globally cheapest per-night: Turkey (Antalya/Alanya/Side). Expect roughly US$45-90 per person per night off-peak for 3-4★ all-inclusive; US$80-140 for 5★.
• Also very cheap: Egypt (Hurghada/Sharm), Tunisia (Hammamet/Sousse), Bulgaria (Sunny Beach). Think US$35-85 pppn off-peak, depending on star level.
• Cheapest in the Caribbean: Dominican Republic and Cuba. Typical US$70-140 pppn, with the best dips in Sep-Nov and early Dec (outside holidays).
• Total trip cost beats nightly rate. From Europe: Turkey/Egypt/Tunisia often cheapest. From North America: Dominican Republic or Mexico win once you add flights. From Australia/NZ: Fiji/South Pacific packages can beat Asia, even if they aren’t classic AI.
• Best months for value: late Apr-May and late Sep-early Nov in the Med; Oct-early Dec and late Apr-Jun in the Caribbean. Watch hurricane season (Jun-Nov) and heat waves (Jul-Aug).

The straight answer, plus price benchmarks by country

Turkey typically delivers the lowest true all-inclusive rates because of huge resort supply in Antalya and relentless competition. Egypt is close. If you’re Europe-based, either can be absurdly cheap in shoulder season. In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic usually undercuts Jamaica and the Bahamas, and Cuba can be a touch cheaper but with quirks (dual currency issues, limited brand variety).

These are ballpark, off-peak/shoulder prices per person, per night, based on double occupancy, drawn from 2024-2025 deal patterns and tour-operator promos (think big players in Europe and North America, plus hotel benchmarks from industry data like STR and national tourism boards):

Country	Typical AI price (pppn)	Best-value months	Notes
Turkey (Antalya/Alanya/Side)	US$45-90 (3-4★), US$80-140 (5★)	Apr-May, late Sep-Oct	Mass supply; many “Ultra All Inclusive” options. Hot in Jul-Aug.
Egypt (Hurghada/Sharm el-Sheikh)	US$40-85 (3-4★), US$70-120 (5★)	Mar-May, Oct-Nov	Great for divers; hotel taxes often included; check alcohol brands.
Tunisia (Hammamet/Sousse/Monastir)	US$35-70 (3-4★), US$60-100 (5★)	May-Jun, Sep-Oct	Very low rates; watch for “soft AI” (limited drinks).
Bulgaria (Sunny Beach/Golden Sands)	US$40-65 (3-4★), US$70-110 (5★)	Late May-Jun, Sep	Short season; great for families; cooler shoulder months.
Dominican Republic (Punta Cana/La Romana)	US$80-140 (3-4★), US$120-220 (5★)	Oct-mid Dec, May-Jun	Best flight connectivity from North America; tipping common.
Cuba (Varadero/Cayos)	US$70-120 (3-4★), US$110-180 (5★)	Nov-mid Dec, Apr-Jun	Often cheaper than Jamaica; brand/amenity consistency varies.
Morocco (Agadir/Marrakech area)	US$50-90 (3-4★), US$90-150 (5★)	Mar-May, Oct-Nov	City taxes sometimes paid at hotel; beach + culture combo.
Mexico (Cancún/Riviera Maya/Puerto Vallarta)	US$110-180 (3-4★), US$160-300 (5★)	Sep-early Nov, May-Jun	Environmental fee in some states; huge range of brands.
Greece (Crete/Rhodes)	US$90-160 (3-4★), US$150-260 (5★)	May-Jun, Sep	AI exists but not as ubiquitous as Turkey.
Spain (Canaries/Majorca)	US$100-180 (3-4★), US$160-280 (5★)	May-Jun, Sep-Oct	Reliable quality; higher demand keeps prices up.
Sri Lanka (Bentota/Wadduwa)	US$70-120 (3-4★), US$110-180 (5★)	Dec-Mar (west), May-Sep (east)	More full-board than classic AI; great value off-peak.
Vietnam (Phu Quoc/Nha Trang)	US$80-130 (3-4★), US$120-200 (5★)	Nov-Apr (south)	AI options are growing; many stays are half/full-board.

What “all-inclusive” means changes by country and brand. Turkey and Egypt often include more (snack bars, late-night eats, kids’ ice cream hours), while some Tunisia and Bulgaria deals are “AI light” (fewer drink hours, local booze). In Mexico and the Caribbean, mid-tier and premium brands usually include all-day drinks and multiple à la carte dinners-but extras like premium wines, cabanas, and water sports can add up.

Quick tax and fee notes that trip up first-timers:

• Mexico: small environmental/tourist fees in places like Quintana Roo and Los Cabos, paid locally.
• Morocco and parts of Europe: city/tourist taxes due at check-in, a few dollars per person per night.
• Dominican Republic: sales/service taxes are typically baked into AI rates.
• Egypt/Tunisia: service charges usually included, but read the fine print on what’s covered.

Cheapest depends on where you fly from: do the easy math

Nightly rates are step one. Flights, transfers, and exchange rates can flip the winner. Use this simple formula:

Total Trip Cost ≈ Flight + Transfers + (Nights × AI nightly rate × people) + Add-ons (insurance, visas, tips) − Credits (promo codes, onboard credit).

Now some realistic scenarios (ballpark, not a quote):

• From the US East Coast (couple, 6 nights): Punta Cana flights can be US$250-450 roundtrip on sale. A 3-4★ AI at US$100 pppn equals US$1,200 for two. Add flights (say US$700 total) + transfers (US$50-80) = roughly US$1,950-2,000 for two. Turkey may have lower nightly rates, but flights are usually 2-3× that and take longer, so the DR often wins for Americans on a tight budget.
• From London/Manchester (family of 4, 7 nights outside school holidays): Antalya packs offer £1,600-2,200 all-in on sale (flights + transfers + 4★ AI), thanks to huge charter capacity. The DR could be £3,000-4,000+ for the same week. Turkey or Egypt almost always beat Caribbean totals for UK families.
• From Wellington/Sydney (couple, 5 nights): Fiji isn’t classic AI, but half-board or “all meals + drinks package” deals often price out lower than flying to Bali, and the flight is shorter. If you must have AI, look at Fiji’s larger resorts or try Sri Lanka/Vietnam during sales. The per-night might be higher than Turkey, but the total cost is lower once you price the flights.

Heuristics that rarely fail:

• Europe-based: Turkey → Egypt → Tunisia/Bulgaria for the lowest totals, in that order most of the year.
• US/Canada-based: Dominican Republic → Mexico → Cuba for the least expensive totals, with Cuba sometimes edging the DR if you score a charter special.
• Australia/NZ-based: Fiji/Vanuatu packages for easy wins; Sri Lanka/Vietnam for value if you find flight sales.

Why these patterns hold: supply and lift. Markets with massive resort supply and lots of direct flights stay cheap. Antalya has both. Punta Cana and Cancún too. Industry data (STR on hotel supply, UNWTO on arrivals, and airline capacity reports) all point to the same thing: more beds + more seats = lower prices when demand isn’t peaking.

When to go (and what to watch)

If you want the lowest prices without misery weather, target shoulder months. Here’s the cheat sheet:

• Mediterranean (Turkey, Egypt Red Sea coast, Tunisia, Bulgaria): Late Apr-May and late Sep-Oct are sweet spots. Pools are warm enough; crowds thin; rates drop 20-40% from peak. July-August can be scorching (Antalya and Hurghada hit high 30s°C).
• Caribbean (DR, Cuba, Mexico Caribbean coast): Oct-early Dec and May-Jun bring solid deals. Hurricane season runs Jun-Nov (NOAA), with prices reflecting risk. Sargassum seaweed peaks spring to autumn on Mexico’s Caribbean side and parts of DR; resorts sometimes deploy booms, but not all do-check recent guest photos.
• Morocco: March-May and Oct-Nov are comfortable. Some hotels charge city tax on arrival.
• South/Southeast Asia: Seasons vary by coast. Sri Lanka’s west/south coasts are best Dec-Mar; east is best May-Sep. Vietnam’s Phu Quoc is driest Nov-Apr. AI isn’t as common, but full-board deals are plentiful.

Other watch-outs that affect price or experience:

• School holidays: Prices spike. If you’re flexible, shift by even 3-5 days.
• Ramadan (dates move annually): In Egypt/Tunisia, rates can be lower, but some services (entertainment/alcohol hours) may be reduced.
• New openings and renovations: New resorts discount heavily the first few months; post-reno hotels often run reopening promos.
• Heatwaves: If traveling in Jul-Aug to the Med/Red Sea, prioritize beachfront, shade, and rooms with strong AC reviews.

How to find and book the cheapest all-inclusive (step-by-step, checklist, and quick decisions)

Here’s a fast, repeatable playbook that works whether you want Turkey, the DR, or another bargain spot.

1. Pick your 2-3 target regions by flight time first. Start with the region that has the most nonstop flights from you. More lift = lower fares most of the year.
2. Set a nightly target number. Use the table above to set a realistic bracket. Example: “I want US$60-85 pppn for Turkey” or “US$90-120 pppn for DR.”
3. Search both ways: package and DIY. Compare bundling (major tour operators, airline holiday arms) vs. booking hotel + flights separately. Packages often include transfers, which saves US$60-120.
4. Flex 3-4 days either side. Use month-view tools to catch dip days. Tuesday-Thursday departures can shave 10-25% off flight costs.
5. Sanity-check the inclusions. Look for phrases like “Ultra All Inclusive,” “AI Light,” drink hours, number of à la carte dinners, kids’ policy, and late checkout options.
6. Read last 30 days of reviews only. You want current intel on buffet quality, AC, seaweed, pool heating, and construction noise.
7. Lock it with a free cancellation rate or use a hold option. Then set alerts and re-check once a week. Many brands price-match if the rate drops.

Booking checklist (copy/paste this):

• Dates flexible by ±3 days?
• Direct flights available? If not, is package cheaper than DIY?
• Transfer included? If not, what’s a taxi/shuttle going to cost?
• “All-inclusive” scope clear? (Snack hours, à la carte limits, bar closing time, branded spirits.)
• Room type: standard vs. promo (some promo rooms lack balcony or have obstructed views).
• Weather/season risks checked? (Heat, hurricane, seaweed.)
• Local taxes/fees at hotel? (City tax, environmental fee.)
• Visa/entry needs confirmed? (eVisa timing for Turkey; VOA for Egypt for many passports; Cuba tourist card.)
• Tipping expectations: budget US$5-15/day for service-heavy destinations.
• Cancellation/change terms noted; price-match and promo codes saved.

Quick decision tree:

• Live in Europe → Want rock-bottom? Pick Turkey. Warmer winter sea? Egypt (Sharm/Hurghada). Ultra-cheap and short haul? Try Tunisia or Bulgaria (summer only).
• Live in US/Canada → Under US$1,200 per person, 1 week? Start with Dominican Republic or Puerto Plata. Prefer big-brand resorts? Mexico’s Riviera Maya in Sep-Nov (watch seaweed).
• Live in Australia/NZ → If you need AI, compare Fiji’s meal/drinks packages with Sri Lanka. If AI is flexible, consider Bali full-board or a cruise deal out of Sydney/Auckland.

Money-savers that stack:

• Book shoulder season + depart midweek + choose a new/opening hotel.
• Use airline holiday arms (they get inventory first) or big tour operators with transfer bundles.
• Sign up for resort brand emails; opening offers can be 20-35% off with resort credit.
• Price in the local currency on official sites if your card has no FX fees.
• Apply loyalty points to flights, not hotels-AI redemption value for flights is often higher.

Mini-FAQ (the quick stuff people ask):

Q: Is Cuba cheaper than the Dominican Republic?
A: Nightly rates can be similar or a touch lower in Cuba, but flight options and service consistency often make the DR cheaper and easier for most North Americans. If you find a good charter to Varadero, Cuba can edge it.

Q: Are tips included?
A: “Included” rarely means “no tips needed.” In Mexico and the DR, tipping boosts service and is expected. In Turkey and Egypt, it’s appreciated but not as baked-in culturally. Budget a little daily.

Q: Is Turkey safe for resort stays?
A: Resort areas around Antalya/Alanya are set up for tourism. As with any destination, follow your government’s travel advice (FCDO/US State/SmartTraveller) and use standard precautions.

Q: Which month is the absolute cheapest?
A: For the Med/Red Sea: late Oct-mid Nov and early May. For the Caribbean: late Sep-early Nov (hurricane risk; buy good insurance). For Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the cheapest often aligns with sargassum peaks-tradeoffs apply.

Q: Solo traveler-will I pay a lot more?
A: Many AI resorts price per room, so yes, single supplements happen. Look for “no single supplement” promos in shoulder season or consider adults-only properties that run solo deals.

Q: Does “Ultra All Inclusive” matter?
A: It usually adds longer bar hours, more à la carte access, and sometimes premium brands. In Turkey, the jump from standard AI to UAI can be worth it if the price gap is small.

Real-world note on data: hotel rate patterns above reflect 2024-2025 deal cycles pulled from large tour-operator promos, STR rate trends, and published tourism board targets. Airfare seasonality aligns with airline capacity reports and booking curve analysis. Hurricane season windows come from NOAA. For exchange-rate impacts, watch your central bank or a reliable FX tracker in the weeks before you book.

Last bit: if all you wanted was the one-liner, it’s Turkey for the lowest nightly rates, then Egypt-no contest most weeks. But if what you really want is the cheapest whole holiday, pick the destination with the most direct flights from your city and compare packages against DIY. That simple shift often saves more than chasing a US$10-cheaper buffet somewhere far away.

Use this phrase when you search to cast a wider net: cheapest all inclusive countries. Then filter by your actual flight map, not wishful thinking.