Are You Only Allowed 6 Drinks on All-Inclusive? Facts, Rules, and Hacks

The rumor about all-inclusives only serving six alcoholic drinks a day started a mini panic for a lot of travelers. It probably comes from a few strict policies in some Spanish resorts, but people have gotten the idea it’s the same everywhere now. Nope, it isn’t. You’re not hitting any universal six-drink wall at all-inclusives across the world.

Here’s the real story: In some spots—mainly certain Balearic Islands like parts of Mallorca and Ibiza—local rules were set up to control rowdy vacationers. That means a handful of hotels on those islands stick to a six-drink limit. Everywhere else? Most hotels still work the classic way: sip what you want, when you want, unless the fine print says otherwise.

So before you freak out about imaginary rationing, pause. Odds are, the only thing in short supply will be awkward hangovers, not your mojitos. But, yes, always check for hidden restrictions in the spot you’re eyeing, especially if you’re Mallorca or Ibiza-bound. Some British tour packages spell it out upfront, but plenty of travelers miss it buried in the details. Never hurts to ask the hotel directly, either. No one wants a dry surprise on holiday.

• The Origin of the 6-Drink Rule
• Where the Rule Applies and Where It Doesn’t
• What Hotels Actually Do: Real Policies
• How to Get the Most Out of Your All-Inclusive Package
• Key Things to Double-Check Before You Book

The Origin of the 6-Drink Rule

The whole 6-drink rule didn’t fall out of the sky. It started in Spain, and honestly, it was aimed squarely at party-heavy resorts—not every sun-soaked hotel on Earth. In 2020, the Balearic Islands government (think Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca) wanted to get a handle on the wild tourist scene. They rolled out a bunch of new rules to cut down on drunk antics and bad behavior, mostly in Magaluf, Playa de Palma, and Sant Antoni.

One of their moves? Limit the free alcohol at all-inclusive hotels. Starting in 2022, guests in some resorts could only get six alcoholic drinks per day included in their package, usually split between lunch and dinner. They really did it to slow down the endless party and take the pressure off local police and hospital staff. It wasn’t about being a buzzkill everywhere—just in spots where crowd control was getting out of hand.

Here’s the kicker—outside these handful of zones, there’s no Spanish law capping your drinks on all-inclusives. Big hotel chains even mention that the 6-drink rule only hits very specific addresses. So unless you see that rule in the fine print (or you’re booking in one of those areas), your all-inclusive package usually stays unlimited. That’s a relief for most of us looking for a chill hotel experience instead of an accidental detox retreat.

Where the Rule Applies and Where It Doesn’t

If you keep hearing about the 6-drink limit in all-inclusive hotels, you’re probably wondering where it’s actually enforced. It’s not a worldwide rule—far from it. The rule is really about certain Spanish regions, with the Balearic Islands taking the spotlight. More specifically, the six-alcoholic-drinks-per-day policy popped up in areas of Mallorca (Magaluf and El Arenal), and San Antonio on Ibiza. It isn’t everywhere on these islands, but it’s enough to catch people out if they’re not paying attention.

Here’s how it works: the Spanish government rolled this out mostly to cut down on public drunkenness and bad behavior from tourists. Most of the time, the hotels affected clearly mention the rule in your booking info. If you’re going through a British tour operator, they’re meant to tell you directly if the hotel follows this policy. But lots of guests get surprised when they see it written on their checking-in paperwork.

What about outside the Balearics? You’re in the clear. Popular all-inclusive resorts in places like mainland Spain, Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean, and Mexico do not follow a six-drink rule. You get unlimited drinks as usual, unless you pick a super-budget spot with its own rules (which is rare).

This rule is not about budget—some high-end spots in the affected regions also have to follow it. If you’re heading to one of these islands, always check if your hotel is listed under the law. Ask your travel agent or check the hotel’s website. For everyone else, your all-inclusive is just what it should be: free-flowing drinks, no questions asked.

What Hotels Actually Do: Real Policies

Let’s get straight to it: most all-inclusive hotels don’t cap your drinks at six. That rule is specific to just a few Spanish resorts, thanks to local government pressure to cut down on rowdy holiday drinking. Outside those Balearic hot spots, almost every other destination—think Mexico, the Caribbean, Greece, Turkey, and beyond—still follows the open-bar model. So, if you’re not heading to places like Magaluf or San Antonio, you’ll find unlimited pours still rule.

This doesn’t mean anything goes everywhere. You’ll see some bigger brands (like RIU, Iberostar, and Sandals) have their own house rules. Some only serve drinks in public areas like the pool bar or buffet, not in your room. Others switch out top-shelf booze for local brands. A few resorts put a cut-off time for alcohol after midnight. Sports bars might open later with a smaller menu. These quirks show up more in family or couples resorts where they balance fun with keeping things chill.

Here’s a quick comparison of typical hotel policy details by region:

Another thing: hotels tend to monitor behavior, not to ration drinks but to avoid trouble. If someone gets too out of control, bartenders might quietly slow down their service or step in. It’s more about keeping a chill vibe than policing a strict drink tally.

Want to know what drinks are actually free? Always check what your all-inclusive package covers. Some include branded spirits, champagne, fancy cocktails—the lot. Others might charge extra if you want genuine Grey Goose versus house vodka. If you love a specific drink, peek at the hotel’s sample menu before you book. Don’t be shy about asking, either. The front desk or even social media DMs can clear up any confusion fast.

How to Get the Most Out of Your All-Inclusive Package

First things first: You paid for that all-inclusive deal, so don’t just stick with the basics. A lot of people end up missing out on extras simply because they didn’t ask or look around. Most hotels will have more than just the standard poolside cocktails, and sometimes you can get better-quality drinks if you know what to request. Always check what brands of alcohol are included—some resorts advertise unlimited drinks but slide in only local spirits unless you ask for internationals. If you're a fan of certain labels, ask right away what’s on offer.

Another common mistake? Skipping the specialty restaurants. These aren’t always obvious or might need a reservation. Ask at check-in what restaurants need to be booked early, and snag a slot even if you’re not sure about your plans—it’s better to cancel later than miss out. Usually, fancier spots have upgraded drinks or unique menus that aren’t available at the buffet or snack bar.

• Check the daily activity schedule. There’s often wine tastings, cocktail classes, or even chef’s events—all covered in your package.
• Use room service if it’s part of the deal. Midnight snacks or morning mimosas? Why not.
• Try the minibar in your room. In some places, it’s restocked daily—free of charge.
• If the hotel policy limits drinks in restaurants but not at bars, order before or after meals.

Don’t forget to scope out any extra costs that sneak in. Things like premium wines, imported beer, top-shelf liquor, or fancier pool cabanas can carry an extra charge, even at all-inclusive hotels. Ask about them on day one so you’re not shocked at check out.

Finally, tip the staff—yes, even if tips are included. A little appreciation can lead to faster service, better recommendations, and sometimes a stronger pour. It won’t break your bank, but it can make the vacation tips feel like gold.

Key Things to Double-Check Before You Book

Getting the most out of your all-inclusive deal isn’t as simple as clicking “book now” and daydreaming about poolside cocktails. The fine print matters, and missing the small details can bite you. Some rules can be tucked away in boring sections on the resort's site or right in the middle of your confirmation email. Hotels and tour companies sometimes change their drink limit or tweak what’s included, especially if there have been new local alcohol rules in your destination.

• Check the official hotel website: Not all booking sites update quickly, and you don’t want surprises. If there’s a drink limit, it’ll usually be explained under ‘all-inclusive package’ or sometimes hidden in FAQs.
• Read recent reviews: TripAdvisor and Google reviews are full of people complaining (or bragging) about their alcohol rules. Search for “drink limit” or “alcohol” and scroll the last few months.
• Ask directly: Shoot a message or email to the hotel or your travel agent. It’s better to look a little picky than to fly across the world for unlimited piña coladas and find out it’s a strict six-beer kind of week.
• Look at the country and region:
  • If you’re headed to parts of Mallorca, Ibiza, or Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), be very alert: these are the places where the famous six-drink rule kicked off in early 2022.
  • Mexico, the Caribbean, and most Mediterranean destinations don’t use the six-drink rule—yet. But check anyway, because hotels have their own house rules too.
• Know what "all-inclusive" really covers: Some hotels limit free drinks to house brands. Fancy cocktails or top-shelf liquors may actually be extra, even if you didn’t expect it. Look for the dreaded “supplement applies.”
• Package holiday companies can have different rules: Sometimes the restriction is from the tour operator (like TUI or Jet2) rather than the hotel. The paperwork matters!

No one likes to discover the rules after they land, so make these checks before you pay anything. Take five minutes to dig through the package details, and you can dodge every all-inclusive surprise.