The joys of all-inclusives: looking for delicious food, comfortable accommodations and loads of fitness opportunities, all at a bargain rate? Here are three of the best getaways

Shape, Sept, 2004

Nothing can spoil a vacation faster than feeling like you're being nickel-and-dimed at every turn: a few bucks for the bellhop here, $20 for lunch there, $7 for a tropical drink, $25 for a two-hour kayak rental ... and so on. It's no wonder that all-inclusive vacations--where you pay one flat rate for lodging, all meals and most activities--are on the upswing, and in a big way. Liberty Travel, a national travel-agency chain, reports that all-inclusives are the fastest-growing vacation choice, and Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell, an Orlando, Fla.-based marketing company, notes that six out of 10 vacation shoppers look for an all-inclusive getaway. But for the fitness-minded there's another appeal to one-price vacations: Most offer the opportunity to try myriad new sports and activities at no extra cost. Here are three trips that have it all.

Watersports and tropical-forest hikes at Allegro Papagayo by Occidental, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Located on Central America's Nicoya Peninsula and surrounded by Guanacaste's tropical dry forests, this 300-room hillside resort sits on the western edge of Costa Rica. You'll kick up some dust navigating the dirt roads on your way to this remote spot from Daniel Oduber International Airport, but the bumpy 25-minute taxi ride is well worth it.

The vibe A glass of fresh guava juice and the quintessentially tropical sound of a tinkling marimba welcome you upon your arrival to Allegro Papagayo, which is popular with locals as well North Americans and Europeans. While relaxation is practically required here, there are plenty of options for innovative workouts too. But you'll need to be proactive about sussing them out; start with a visit to the sports office or talk to the activities director, who usually can be found chatting up guests by the pool.

For a change of pace and a slightly quieter setting, take advantage of the free day pass to Allegro Papagayo's smaller sister property, Occidental Costa Smeralda (about 40 minutes away by taxi), which is currently undergoing a renovation that will include a new health club.

The sports & activities You could follow the "Fun Club Activities Schedule" that you'll find in your suite, but you'd do better to catch the shuttle to the club itself and see what's on tap for the day. Water polo, beach volleyball, tango lessons and archery classes are typical offerings, but the schedule often changes to cater to guests' preferences. (So be sure to speak up about what you'd like to do.) One option that's always available is the popular one-hour eco-hike, which starts at 10 a.m.; before heading out, remember to apply bug spray liberally and pack some bananas--the white-faced capuchin monkeys often spotted along the forest trail love them. Post-hike, relax in the shade of the trees lining the black-sand beach, or book a 10-minute boat ride to the resort's white-sand Beach Club. Ready to burn more calories? Sign out equipment for snorkeling or kayaking in the clear-blue Bay of Papagayo. The food Start your morning with a steaming plate of gallo pinto, a Costa Rican breakfast staple of rice and beans. (Ticos, or locals, like to doctor it up with ketchup and mayo, which is actually tastier than you might think!) One of the best perks of the buffet is regional produce, including the granadilla, a yellowish-green fruit with sweet, pomegranate-like seeds. For more-formal dining, make dinner reservations at La Rese and try its healthful dishes, like locally caught red snapper, mahi-mahi or grilled chicken.

What's not included Costa Rica offers plenty of rich landscapes to explore; 25 percent of its land is devoted to national parks and preserves. If you're in top physical condition and looking for an adrenaline rush, sign up for a canopy tour ($45 for four hours): You'll experience awesome views of the forest from several hundred feet up in the air as you whiz from treetop to treetop suspended from zipline cables that together span more than 2,700 feet (don't worry, you're harnessed in!). Other options: exploring Arenal Volcano and Coter Rain Forest ($110 for 12 hours; includes use of natural hot springs, lunch and dinner) or saddling up at Los Inocentes Ecological Ranch for a day of horseback riding through the jungle ($105 for eight hours, including lunch). Excursions also may be arranged for browsing gift shops in the quaint nearby fishing village of Coco Beach ($35 for five hours), touring the architectural highlights of the historic town of Liberia ($17 for five hours), and even visiting Nicaragua's lakes and volcanoes ($130 for 15 hours includes guide, emigration entrance fee and departure tax from Nicaragua, as well as a light breakfast and lunch). Most off-site activities can be scheduled with travel specialists in the resort's lobby.

The details From $85 per person per night, double occupancy; includes accommodations, meals, alcoholic beverages, Fun Club activities, most nonmotorized watersports and access to Beach Club, plus taxes and gratuities (800-858-2258, occidentalhotels.com). Taxi to or from the airport is $35.--Gabrielle Gayagoy