The Wayfinder
Navigate Travel Like an Expert
With most vacations, planning doesn’t end when you book a hotel. You need to think about dining options, sometimes making reservations well in advance. Then there are activities and excursions, plus transportation to and from the airport, and possibly a rental car for your stay.
Some travelers, including many seniors, prefer to simplify the experience. An all-inclusive vacation can provide many amenities with a single booking.
Typically, an all-inclusive resort provides lodging, meals, and activities. The extent of the dining options, activities, and other amenities vary widely from one resort to another. Some go the extra mile to accommodate seniors with mobility challenges, from shuttle services to wheelchair-accessible beaches, and more.
Here, we highlight some of the best all-inclusive resorts for seniors with limited mobility.
Sandals is a well-known all-inclusive resort brand, but these two locations have been voted among the best Sandals resorts for seniors and best Sandals resorts for mobility issues.
If you’ve always dreamed of going on an African safari, mobility challenges shouldn’t stop you. These two camps, both in Kenya, are examples of safari accommodations that welcome guests of all abilities. Angama Mara offers floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the famous Maasai Mara wildlife reserve. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp gives you a front-row seat to the Ewaso Ngiro River, where elephants stop by to drink.
Part of the Beaches brand of all-inclusive resorts, Beaches Negril goes above and beyond to give people of all abilities a memorable experience in the island nation of Jamaica.
This adults-only resort puts you right in the middle of the Florida Keys, a short drive from Miami. A tropical paradise awaits for people of all ages and abilities, including seniors with limited mobility.
This resort is located in Olympic Valley, a popular ski destination, but if not everyone in your group is a dedicated slope shredder, there are plenty of low-key activities, too. The units are actually one-, two-, or three-bedroom condominiums, which the owners rent out individually and are managed by Hyatt.
This place goes all out to give people with mobility challenges, especially those using wheelchairs, a great vacation. It sits on scenic Wasaga Bay, the largest freshwater beach in the world, and seniors with limited mobility can explore every inch of it.
Located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain — a country that boasts a commitment to accessibility — Valencia has several wheelchair-accessible beaches. Options at this family-friendly resort range from room-only to all-inclusive packages. Plenty of activities for children make it a great destination for a multigenerational getaway.
When making travel plans, sometimes you can’t take the word “accessible” at face value. Make sure to scan a resort's website for details, read reviews, and call them directly with specific questions. There are a few things to look out for.
While certain accommodations may be required, such as ramps and wider restroom stalls, there is much more to accessibility than these features. Look for roll-in showers, wide doorways, grab bars, lowered sinks and vanities, and elevator access. If you will be using a wheelchair provided by the resort, even for short parts of your visit, ask questions about its features and functionality.
For travelers walking with the assistance of a cane or walker, or who experience difficulty with exertion, unexpected challenges can pop up. Ask whether paths around the resort are paved or include a lot of stairs. Try to get a room on the ground floor or near an elevator. At large resorts (even on large cruise ships), distances from one spot to another can be expansive. Try to get a room close to amenities that matter most to you, whether it’s a certain restaurant or the pool.
If you need to plug in an oxygen tank, refrigerate medication, or conduct any routine medical procedure like daily injections, make sure your room or suite will make this convenient for you.
Make sure your resort is attuned to safety. This might mean lifeguards at the beach or pool, emergency medical facilities on site, or specially trained personnel to help you navigate your stay.
If you have a service animal, check to ensure they can be accommodated everywhere you plan to go during your vacation. Make sure they can be with you when you need them and that the animal, in turn, has all their needs met.
If you’re traveling internationally, not all countries have the same laws regarding service animals or even allow them to enter the country. You may not be able to bring your service animal within their borders without certain certifications, vaccine records, or a quarantine period.
Even staying in an all-inclusive resort, you will need to think about accessibility at airports or train stations, transportation to and from the resort, and the ability to get out and see things beyond the resort property. Take some time to learn about the accessibility of the destination itself to make sure it meets your needs.
For the most memorable and stress-free all-inclusive vacation, consider these tips:
The best travel insurance for seniors should offer a wide range of benefits. Look for plans with trip cancellation, lost baggage protection, medical coverage, and emergency medical evacuation.
Remember that your health insurance at home — and this includes Medicare and Medicaid — typically does not cover you overseas. If you get sick or hurt during your trip, travel insurance can help keep you from having to pay for treatment out of pocket.
As soon as you book your all-inclusive resort vacation, contact us for a quote and learn more about our travel insurance options that best fit your needs.
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