The best vacations are all about surprise, about discovering even a little something that's just off the beaten path. As any child whose father over-scheduled even the simplest trip to the lake can tell you, there's nothing more disappointing than feeling like every last second of your vacation was predetermined long before you stepped out of the door.

However, there is one area where even the most adventurous traveler doesn't want any surprises: the bill. You might be the biggest cave-diving, mountain-climbing, bungee-jumping, exotic-food-eating thrill junkie out there, but a few unexpected zeros on the tab has never made it into the slideshow at your welcome home party.

Unfortunately, opportunities to balloon your travel costs are only growing. Travel, like everything else, is getting more expensive all the time. That big getaway vacation, the kind that you talk about for years afterwards, maybe even the rest of you life, seems to be getting further and further out of reach as Americans have more financial concerns and more reasons to pinch those pennies than ever.

However, the solution isn't to just stay home, and it's not to work harder. The solution is to travel smarter and to take advantage of easy, convenient, and remarkably affordable all-inclusive vacations packages. With first-rate all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, you're free to get away without giving it all away. Here's why:

The Benefits of All-Inclusive Vacation Packages

#1 One Upfront Price

All-inclusive Caribbean resorts are just that: all-inclusive. That means that once you pay at the door (or at the online booking engine, rather), you never have to look at your wallet again if you don't want to. For the upfront price, generally offered per person, you will receive roomy accommodations, three meals a day with snacks, unlimited soda, unlimited alcohol (commonly), a diverse selection of sports and recreation activities, and all gratuities and taxes paid … and that's at a bare minimum. Most all-inclusive Caribbean vacation packages offer excursions and premium services as part of the upfront cost.

Items with additional costs usually include any destination excursions not included in the package, equipment rental for certain water activities, and green fees and club fees for golf. However these are the icing on an already more than filling cake. Entertainment is plentiful without the up-charge items, so there's no reason to feel pressured.

#2 A World of Choices

All-inclusive resorts tend to populate warm weather, beachfront locales, but that doesn't mean that any one of them is precisely the same. All-inclusive Mexico resorts, for instance, focus on capturing the young, festive lifestyle for which name destinations like Cancún and Puerto Vallarta are known. Meanwhile, all-inclusive vacations in the Dominican Republic favor lush, tranquil surroundings set against the vibrant history of cities like Santo Domingo.

Worldwide competition and the rising popularity in all-inclusive resorts have driven prices down, so not only can you enjoy a getaway to some of the world's most exotic places, you have the freedom to choose one that's right for you.

#3 Even More Variety

Not only are your choices of destination nearly endless, the options keep coming once you arrive. A single resort may provide more than five restaurants, five or six bars/lounges, live entertainment every night, access to multiple golf courses, walk-up beaches, sparkling pools, a tour and excursion concierge, dance clubs, themed events, and even feature attractions like water parks and mini golf courses. All in one place!

Not only does this sheer variety make it easy to feel like you've gotten your money's worth, it makes all-inclusive resorts a perfect choice for families and other groups. Each member of your party is free to do his or her own thing, but you can still take comfort and peace of mind in knowing that everyone is somewhere within the community of the resort.

And parents needn't worry. Except for certain all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and others that specify themselves as "Adults Only", most provide excellent kids programming, menus, and attractions.

#4 Simplicity

So you've got all this variety, sure, but big tourist cities have that too. The real advantage here is in keeping it simple. There's no stress of driving around an unfamiliar city, there's no worrying about hours of operation, no mad search for a place to eat (and no question whether or not it will be good). With all-inclusive Mexico vacations it's all at your fingertips if and when you want it.

It's called freedom, and isn't that what vacation is really all about?

#5 The Special Occasion Jackpot

If you're traveling for a special occasion, an anniversary or perhaps a romantic honeymoon, then whatever you do … mention it! All-inclusive resorts cater to special occasion travelers. While you aren't likely to get a special price, there's still no shame in watching the other perks roll in. Special snacks, surprise bottles of champagne (remember, it's about surprise), honeymoon/anniversary events, and even room upgrades are not uncommon. All you have to do is bring it up.

For that true once-in-a-lifetime thrill, all-inclusive weddings in Mexico and the Dominican Republic are becoming more popular every year. It's the perfect choice for intimate, smaller group weddings.

So What Are You Waiting For?

That's the beginning of a list that could go in indefinitely, but it hardly needs to. Eliminate the worries, and those pre-planning headaches, by choosing an all-inclusive vacation package that fits your budget. Don't let your food and travel costs get out of control, don't suffer the disappointment of sold out attractions and not feeling like you ever truly rested, and whatever you do, don't just stay home.

When you travel all-inclusive, you can afford it.