Planning a full week at a Sandals resort? Smart move. Sandals makes it easy to mix luxury downtime with real adventure — all without the fuss of tracking separate bookings. Below are three carefully crafted 7-day itineraries (Relaxation, Adventure, and a Balanced Week) plus practical tips for dining, nightlife, packing, and what to pre-book. Use this as a plug-and-play plan you can adapt to any of the Sandals properties — from classic Jamaican favorites to newer escapes like Sandals Royal Curaçao. If you’re comparing the Best Sandals resorts Located in the Caribbean, a week gives you enough time to taste the resort life and island culture without feeling rushed.

How to use this guide

Pick the itinerary that matches your energy level (relaxation, adventure, or balanced), then personalize the daily activities around the resort’s flagship offerings: spa treatments, included water sports, specialty restaurants, and one or two off-resort excursions. Most Sandals resorts offer similar core inclusions — dining, non-motorized water sports, nightly entertainment, airport transfers (often included), and PADI-certified diving for certified divers — so you can transfer a week’s plan from one island to another with minor tweaks.

Itinerary #1 — The Ultimate Relaxation Week (Slow & Luxurious)

Day 1 — Arrival + Unpack Slowly
Arrive, check in, and do nothing complicated. Walk the property, locate your favorite lounge chair, and enjoy a casual beachfront dinner.

Day 2 — Spa Immersion
Start with a couples’ massage, then spend the afternoon alternating between a private cabana and the pool. Book dinner at a quieter specialty restaurant (book ahead).

Day 3 — Gentle Water Day
Try a relaxed snorkel session in the morning, return for a long beachfront lunch, and read the afternoon away. Light yoga or a mindfulness session at sunset sets the mood.

Day 4 — Island Cultural Half-Day
Schedule a short morning trip to the nearest town or cultural site (museums, local markets). Return for an afternoon nap and a slow evening.

Day 5 — Private Dining Experience
Reserve a private or romantic fine-dining experience on the beach or terrace. Add a photography session if you want keepsake photos without awkward selfies.

Day 6 — Pool & Sunset Cruise
Enjoy Dos-Awa style infinity pools (or your resort’s showpiece pool) in the morning, then a late-afternoon sunset catamaran or champagne cruise.

Day 7 — Leisurely Morning + Departure Prep
Breakfast on the patio, a last dip, and a relaxed departure. Leave time for travel buffer and passport checks.

Why this works: this week prioritizes calm, quality food, spa services and small, memorable experiences that feel luxurious without exhaustion.

Itinerary #2 — The Adventure Lover’s Week (Active & Immersive)

Day 1 — Arrival + Gear Check
Get oriented, visit the dive/water-sports desk, and reserve your excursions for the week.

Day 2 — Scuba Diving Intro or Guided Dives
Take advantage of included PADI-guided dives (certified divers) or do a Discover Scuba session if you’re new. Sandals runs daily guided dives at many resorts.

Day 3 — Full-Day Off-Resort Excursion
Choose: island hiking, snorkeling at a famed reef, or a boat trip to a nearby islet.

Day 4 — Water Sports Marathon
Try windsurfing, Hobie Cat sailing, paddleboarding and aqua trikes — many Sandals spots include non-motorized options and instruction.

Day 5 — Cultural Deep Dive
Half-day town tour or food tour (street eats, markets), then back for a high-energy evening on property: live music or a beach party.

Day 6 — Specialty Adventure
Book a day of cave exploring, zipline, or a private dive to a shipwreck (depending on the island).

Day 7 — Chill & Recovery
Stretch, a gentle snorkel, and an easy departure.

Why this works: it front-loads active experiences so you can relax the last two days, leaving you refreshed for travel day.

Itinerary #3 — Balanced Week (The Best of Both)

Day 1 — Settling In + Sunset Cocktails
Day 2 — Pool time + couples’ massage
Day 3 — Morning dive/snorkel, afternoon exploring local town
Day 4 — Food truck crawl + beach hangout (where available)
Day 5 — Private dinner + live entertainment night
Day 6 — Half-day adventure (hiking/boat trip) + spa touch-ups
Day 7 — Farewell beach breakfast and departure

This is the safe, flexible option — ideal if you and your partner want both structure and spontaneity.

Dining & Drink strategy

Rotate between specialty restaurants and casual options to get the full culinary range. Many Sandals resorts now highlight creative concepts — from fine dining steak and seafood houses to beachside comfort and even food truck flavors at newer properties like Sandals Royal Curaçao. For the best experience: book signature restaurants for milestone nights (anniversary, honeymoon) and save the casual or food-truck meals for midday. The variety is part of the fun.

Nightlife & special moments

Resort evenings vary from laid-back live acoustic sets to larger pool parties or themed nights. Book at least one special moment — a private beach dinner, sunrise session, or photo shoot — to make the week memorable. Many resorts also organize complimentary entertainment (bands, DJs, cultural nights) so check the weekly schedule at check-in.

What to pre-book (and why)

Spa treatments: limited slots, especially for couples’ packages.Specialty restaurants: prime evening slots disappear early.Boat tours and certain off-resort excursions: local operators can sell out.Photographers or private dinners: bring the romance to the next level.

Booking these before arrival or right on day one gives you control and eliminates stress mid-trip.

Packing essentials for a Sandals week

Reef-safe sunscreen and a light long-sleeve rash guard (protect skin while snorkeling).Water shoes for rocky or narrow beaches (some Caribbean shores are prettier than soft).Smart-casual outfits for specialty restaurants (check dress code for the resort).A compact underwater camera or GoPro for reef photos.Copies of passports, insurance, and dive certifications (if you’ll dive).

Adapting the week to different Sandals resorts

Every Sandals resort has a slightly different personality: some lean into nightlife and sprawling beaches, others emphasize secluded villas or overwater bungalows and upscale dining. Pick an itinerary based on the resort’s strengths (e.g., choose the Adventure Week for a Sandals property known for diving; choose Relaxation Week for resorts with large spas and private-pool suites). Sandals’ official resources and resort pages are great for checking which activities are included at a specific property.

Budget & value notes

Sandals’ all-inclusive model bundles many costs (meals, drinks, many activities, and often transfers). That can offer excellent value — particularly for couples who dive, dine frequently, or take multiple excursions. For budget control, travel in shoulder months and choose Club Level rather than private-pool villas if cost is a concern.

Final tip: make the schedule yours

The best week is the week you design for both partners. Use these itineraries as a skeleton and sprinkle in spontaneous moments: a late-night swim, an impromptu market run, or a hammock nap. With a little planning up front you’ll get the most out of both the resort and the island — and leave with better stories than a checklist.

Sources & further reading

Key facts used to build these itineraries and inclusions come from official Sandals resources and recent resort reviews about dining, diving, and signature amenities. For example, Sandals’ scuba program details their PADI-guided dives and daily schedules; Sandals Royal Curaçao listings highlight the Dos Awa two-level infinity pool and food-truck concepts; and Sandals’ editorial blog offers sample multi-day itineraries you can adapt to any property.

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