All‑Inclusive 6‑Drink Rule (2025): Where It Applies and How to Avoid Surprises

You’ve heard about a six‑drink cap at all‑inclusive resorts and want a straight answer. Here it is: there is a six‑drink rule, but it’s not global. It applies in specific parts of Spain under a regional law aimed at curbing booze tourism. Everywhere else, most all‑inclusive hotels still pour as usual-within common‑sense limits and the hotel’s own policy. If you just want to know whether your hotel is capped at six, you can check that in minutes with the steps below.

• TL;DR
• Yes, the six‑drink rule exists-but only in designated zones of Mallorca and Ibiza (Spain) and only for all‑inclusive packages.
• The rule: max three alcoholic drinks with lunch and three with dinner (six total per day); extras are paid.
• Outside those zones (and outside Spain), most all‑inclusive resorts do not have a fixed daily drink cap, but staff can refuse service if you’re intoxicated.
• To avoid surprises: check your hotel’s exact address, read the T&Cs, and confirm by email or app chat before you go.

What the 6‑drink rule really means in 2025

The “six drinks at all‑inclusive” thing isn’t a travel myth. It comes from a regional law in Spain’s Balearic Islands, designed to cut down on alcohol‑fuelled disorder in very specific party hotspots. The measure was introduced by the Government of the Balearic Islands (Decree‑Law 1/2020 of 17 January, on excess tourism) and has been maintained through 2025 in the declared zones.

Here’s the plain‑English version of how it works:

• Where it applies: Selected areas of Mallorca (Magaluf/Calvià and Playa de Palma) and Ibiza (San Antonio/ Sant Antoni de Portmany) that the regional government designated as “areas of special tourist interest” for the purpose of the law.
• Who it applies to: Guests on all‑inclusive packages at hotels within those zones. It does not apply to bed‑and‑breakfast, half‑board, or room‑only bookings.
• What it says: You can have a maximum of three alcoholic drinks per person at lunch and three at dinner as part of the inclusive package. That’s the six‑drink cap. Anything beyond that is charged.
• What counts as a drink: Alcoholic beverages served by the hotel with lunch/dinner. Cocktails count. It’s not just beer and wine unless your specific hotel narrows the choice.
• Outside meal times: The law limits the inclusive alcohol to those meal windows. Bars may serve you more, but you’ll pay per drink if you’ve already used your included allocation.

Other measures in the same Balearic framework include bans on shop alcohol sales during late hours, restrictions on pub crawls, and penalties for promoting binge drinking. UK travelers might also notice tour operators like TUI and Jet2 specifying the six‑drink rule in their Balearics hotel descriptions, because they’re required to disclose it clearly.

Important boundaries:

• It’s not all of Spain. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, etc.) and mainland resorts do not have the six‑drink cap by law.
• It’s not every hotel in Mallorca and Ibiza-only those inside the defined zones.
• It’s not “six drinks any time of day.” The cap is tied to lunch and dinner service-three at each.
• It doesn’t cancel responsible service. Hotels can still refuse alcohol if you’re intoxicated, regardless of any allowance.

Trusted sources that have published or summarized these rules include the Government of the Balearic Islands (the Decree‑Law text and official guidance), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Spain travel advice, and tour operator advisories (TUI, Jet2). If you’re reading this in September 2025, those references still note the six‑drink restriction for the defined Balearic zones.

How to check your hotel’s policy fast (and avoid surprises)

If you want certainty for your booking in under 10 minutes, use this quick path. It works whether you booked direct, via a tour operator, or on an OTA like Booking.com.

1. Pin the exact address: Find your hotel’s full address and municipality on its website or Google Maps. You need the district (e.g., Calvià/Magaluf, Playa de Palma, Sant Antoni).
2. Match the zone: Search the hotel’s FAQ or terms for “all‑inclusive drinks” or “alcohol policy.” If it’s in Magaluf/Playa de Palma/Sant Antoni, expect a six‑drink cap unless the hotel states otherwise.
3. Check your board basis: Make sure your booking confirmation literally says “All‑Inclusive.” Half‑board or full‑board usually don’t include alcohol at all-different issue.
4. Scan the inclusions: On tour operators, look for wording like “Three alcoholic drinks served at lunch and dinner as part of AI in the Balearic Islands law.” If you see it, that’s the cap.
5. Confirm direct: Message the hotel or your tour operator with a one‑liner: “Can you confirm your all‑inclusive alcohol policy and whether a six‑drink limit applies at your property?” Save the reply in your phone.
6. Ask about upgrades: Some hotels offer “AI Plus” or premium wristbands that include more choices (premium spirits) but not more than six in those Balearic zones, because the legal cap still binds them. Elsewhere, upgrades usually remove brand/venue limits.

Simple heuristics if you’re time‑poor:

• Spain, but not Balearic hotspot areas: no six‑drink law; hotel rules apply.
• Balearic zones named above: six‑drink cap at lunch/dinner, paid drinks outside that.
• Mexico/Caribbean: typically no daily cap; expect unlimited by the glass with house brands, plus premium for a fee.
• Greece/Turkey: usually no legal cap; hotels may limit per order (e.g., two at a time), brand list, or hours.
• UAE/Dubai: alcohol is permitted at licensed venues; AI packages may limit venue access or times rather than daily counts.

Common hotel‑level limits you might still see anywhere:

• Per‑order cap (e.g., one or two drinks per person per order to prevent bulk serving).
• House brands only in standard AI; premium spirits require surcharge or a premium plan.
• Service hours (e.g., AI bar service 10:00-23:00; after that it’s paid).
• Venue restrictions (not valid at beach club bars or specialty restaurants unless stated).
• Responsible service: staff can deny service if you’re visibly intoxicated-similar in spirit to RSA rules in Australia and many countries.

Want to sanity‑check in 30 seconds? Look at your tour operator’s small print for the hotel. If they sell into the UK market, they’re meticulous about disclosing the six‑drink thing in Balearics properties. No mention usually means the normal AI setup.

Where limits show up (and where drinks are still “unlimited”): 2025 snapshot

Here’s a region‑by‑region look at how all‑inclusive alcohol works in 2025. This isn’t exhaustive, but it covers the most asked‑about spots and what you should expect when you arrive.

Why you see differences: Alcohol rules are shaped by local law, tourism strategies, and licensing. Where lawmakers target rowdy nightlife, you’ll see hard caps (Balearics). Elsewhere, hotels rely on soft limits-hours, venues, brands, and per‑order maximums-to keep things under control.

A quick word on cruises, river boats, and club resorts: Cruise lines tend to sell beverage packages with their own daily or per‑order caps (or “unlimited” with exclusions). These aren’t the same as land‑based all‑inclusive, and maritime rules are a different set entirely. Always check your cruise line’s beverage policy if you’re switching from hotel AI to a ship.

Travelers also ask about mocktails and minors. In the Balearic zones with the six‑drink cap, the restriction is on alcoholic drinks. Non‑alcoholic beverages aren’t counted by that law, but individual hotels can set their own serving rules for service flow. For minors, local drinking age laws still apply; AI doesn’t override that anywhere.

FAQ, examples, and what to do next

Let’s close the loop on the follow‑up questions that usually come up right after “Is there a limit on six drinks at all‑inclusive?”

• Does the six‑drink rule include cocktails? Yes. A gin and tonic counts. A beer counts. Hotels may steer you toward beer/wine with meals, but the law caps alcoholic drinks, full stop.
• Can I swap lunch drinks for dinner? The law is enforced as three at lunch and three at dinner. Hotels don’t typically bank unused drinks. If they do, they’ll say so, but don’t expect it.
• What about outside meal times in Balearics? Drinks outside those meals are paid if you’ve used the included allocation. Some hotels include certain non‑alcoholic drinks and snacks between meals.
• Will the bartender cut me off elsewhere if there’s no cap? They can. Responsible service applies worldwide. If you’re visibly intoxicated, expect a “no” even at unlimited resorts.
• Are premium spirits included? Often not in standard AI. Look for “AI Plus,” “Ultra AI,” or a premium wristband. In Balearic cap zones, premiums may be available-but still within the 3+3 legal cap.
• Are self‑serve beer taps a workaround? Not in the Balearic cap zones if the hotel tracks allocation via your wristband or room number. In other regions, self‑serve is rare and monitored.
• Does this apply to the Canary Islands or mainland Spain? No. The six‑drink cap is a Balearic‑zone measure, not national.
• What if my package was sold in the UK? UK operators must disclose the Balearic six‑drink rule when it applies, and they usually put it in bold in the hotel description.
• Can I buy more drinks if I hit the cap? Yes. It’s a cap on included drinks, not a prohibition on buying additional alcohol.
• How are drinks tracked? Wristbands, room card scans, or checks against your name and room at meal service. Systems vary by hotel.

Real‑world examples to set expectations:

• Booked a hotel in Magaluf on an AI package for a stag weekend? Expect the 3+3 rule. You can still buy more drinks, but the inclusive part stops at six per day.
• Heading to Cancún or Punta Cana with a big resort brand? Expect no daily drink count, but common rules like two drinks per order and house brands included. Shots may be limited late at night.
• Family trip to Rhodes on AI? Likely standard AI: beer, wine, basic spirits, and set bar hours. Specialty restaurants may include beer/wine only.
• Dubai city resort AI? Alcohol served in licensed bars at set hours. Your AI may not cover all venues (e.g., rooftop lounge might be excluded).

Quick checklist you can copy into your notes app:

• Exact hotel address and district
• Board basis on booking (AI vs full‑board vs half‑board)
• All‑inclusive inclusions list (brands, venues, hours, per‑order limits)
• Any regional rules mentioned (e.g., six‑drink cap in Balearics)
• Hotel confirmation by email/chat on alcohol policy
• Upgrade options (AI Plus/Ultra AI) and what they actually add

Decision guide if you’re choosing between similar properties:

• If you want zero daily counts: avoid Balearic cap zones or pick another island/region.
• If you value premium spirits: look for “Ultra AI” across Türkiye, Mexico, or the Caribbean, or club‑style resorts with branded bars.
• If you want quiet nights: properties with time and venue restrictions can be a plus-they keep the vibe calm after 11 p.m.
• If your group plans to party: factor in the real cost of paid drinks on top of a capped AI-sometimes a non‑AI hotel with good happy hours is cheaper.

Pro tips from the road:

• Ask about glass vs plastic policy by the pool. Many resorts will only serve in plastic near water; it’s not a downgrade-just safety.
• Carry a water bottle. Hydration makes or breaks your day in the sun, and most AI spots have refill stations.
• Split your upgrades. If only one of you cares about premium spirits, some resorts let you upgrade a single guest’s wristband.
• Plan specialty dining early. If your drinks are tied to meal service, snag a dinner slot you’ll actually make.

Credible references to look for when double‑checking:

• Government of the Balearic Islands publications on Decree‑Law 1/2020 and subsequent guidance.
• UK FCDO Spain travel advice (alcohol restrictions in Balearic tourist areas).
• TUI and Jet2 hotel pages for Balearics properties, which explicitly state the 3+3 AI limit.
• Hotel terms and conditions PDFs or “All‑Inclusive Fact Sheet” on the hotel’s website.

If you remember nothing else, remember this line: outside a few Balearic hotspots, there’s no universal all-inclusive drink limit. You’re dealing with local law in those zones and hotel policy everywhere else. Five minutes of checking now beats being told “that’ll be €12” at the bar later.

Callum Hawkes

I am an expert in the tourism industry with a particular passion for writing about charming cottages and luxurious hotels. My work frequently takes me to fascinating destinations where I delve into the unique stories behind the accommodations. I am always eager to explore new places and share my insights with fellow travelers. My pursuit of cozy, memorable experiences shapes everything I write.