Puerto Santo vs. All-Inclusive: Where to Eat in Cancun

An all-inclusive resort bundles everything into a single upfront price. You pay for your room, all your meals and drinks, activities, and often resort fees and gratuities, all rolled into one figure. This predictability is the main draw.

You know your budget before you leave home. Puerto Santo, on the other hand, operates on a room-only or bed-and-breakfast basis. You book your accommodation, and then you pay separately for everything else.

This means individual meal costs, drinks at the bar, and any excursions you decide to take are itemized charges. The appeal here is flexibility and control over your spending during the trip. You can choose to dine at the resort, explore local restaurants, or even prepare some of your own meals if your room has facilities.

This approach allows for a more tailored experience, where you're not locked into the resort's offerings for every single need.

Let's break down a five-night stay. At an all-inclusive, imagine a rate of $400 per night. That's $2,000 for five nights, covering your room, three meals a day, snacks, and a generous allowance of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

If you're a moderate drinker and enjoy the resort's dining options, this can be excellent value. Now consider Puerto Santo. A comparable room might be $250 per night, totaling $1,250.

For food and drinks, budget around $150 per person per day. For two people over five nights, that's $1,500. Add to this perhaps $300 for a local excursion and $100 for miscellaneous tips or souvenirs.

Your total comes to $3,150. The all-inclusive option here saves $1,150, assuming you utilize most of its inclusions. However, if you plan to eat only one meal at the resort daily and explore local eateries, your food and drink costs at Puerto Santo could drop significantly, potentially making it the more economical choice.

The 'always-on' convenience of an all-inclusive is ideal for families with young children who need predictable meal times and a variety of options, or for travelers who prefer to completely disconnect and avoid any decision-making about where or what to eat. Puerto Santo, however, is the champion for couples seeking a romantic dinner with ocean views, food enthusiasts eager to sample authentic Mexican seafood like aguachile, and independent travelers who enjoy exploring local restaurants.

If you appreciate a well-crafted cocktail alongside fresh ceviche and don't mind venturing out for meals, Puerto Santo delivers an experience that resorts simply cannot replicate.