This is the most common question we hear, and the most common answer on the internet is useless: “it depends.” So let’s actually break down the math and the experience so you can make a real decision.

The Math

A typical promotional package in Mexico costs $299-599 for a 5-night all-inclusive stay for two. The same resort booked on Hotels.com or Expedia runs $350-500 per night. Let’s use conservative numbers:

Promotional booking: $499 for 5 nights, all-inclusive for two people. Retail booking: $375/night × 5 = $1,875 for the same stay. Your savings: $1,376.

The promotional booking industry loves to throw around phrases like “save up to 70%” and “thousands in savings.” But what do the actual numbers look like when you sit down and compare?

Let’s run the real math.

The Comparison Framework

To make a fair comparison, we need to hold everything constant. Same resort, same room type, same dates, same number of travelers. Here’s what that looks like for a typical 5-night all-inclusive stay for two adults at a quality resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya: