Costco is the place to go for everything from eyeglasses to 28-pound buckets of mac and cheese, but did you know that your membership to the big box retailer includes access to incredible deals on vacation packages? And it’s not just regular humdrum locales, but really extraordinary travel destinations around the world — think castles in Ireland and river cruises down the Ganges.
There are two types of personal Costco memberships: Gold Star, which costs $60 a year, and the Executive, which costs $120 a year. Sign up for one of these memberships and you’ll be privy to Costco savings, not just in the world of home goods, but in the magical world of travel. Check out our 10 favorite Costco vacation packages for honeymooners, families, foodies, and seekers of anything out-of-the-ordinary.
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1. Venice, Florence, Rome, and Sorrento: Your Way
You’ll be treated like a star as you explore some of the best destinations with this Costco vacation package in Italy, thanks to your Costco membership benefits. In Venice, lodging choices include the former home of a 17th Century noble or a hotel directly on the canal, reachable only by motorboat or gondola. Or in Sorrento, you might stay in a luxurious hotel with white marble floors and chandeliers, with wide terraces and sunbeds overlooking the Gulf of Naples.
The package includes a three-night stay in each area and ground transportation between cities, including first-class train tickets. There are also additional benefits exclusive to Costco members; too many to list here, in fact, but could include complimentary bottles of wine, restaurant discounts, welcome gifts, and free cocktails.
2. Mauna Luna, Auberge Resorts Collection Package
This newly renovated five-star, 32-acre resort on the Big Island is pure paradise, making this Hawaiian vacation package truly incredible. You’ll be surrounded by lush tropical gardens, koi ponds, and of course, views of the Kona coast. The rooms are contemporary and this package includes an ocean view room. There are several restaurants on site, but it’s at the open air CanoeHouse where you might just have the best meal of your life, with its farm-to-table cuisine and views for days.
The package includes five nights at the resort and a rental car. For Costco members only, you’ll get a $1,000 resort credit, Costco Shop Card, and the daily resort fee is waived. These added values are helpful if you’re working on how to save money.
3. India’s Golden Triangle & Sacred Ganges Cruise
For the adventurer who doesn’t like to do without luxury, this 13-day tour and cruise will take you through Agra, Delhi, and Jaipur, and then down the Ganges — in colonial-style opulence. At just 56-person maximum occupancy, the ship has a quiet and intimate vibe. The suites have four-poster beds, gilded mirrors and sconces, gold crown molding, chandeliers, full-size marble bathtubs, and wide windows leading onto balconies. On board, there’s a wooden sundeck, spa, and dining room. On shore, you’ll explore temples, historical monuments, and of course, the Taj Mahal.
This all-inclusive cruise includes shore excursions and non-premium beverages. Additionally, Costco members receive a Shop Card and Executive Members receive a $50 per person shipboard credit.
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4. Costa Rica: Dreams Las Mareas Package
This all-inclusive, kid-friendly, beachfront resort on a quiet bay of the Pacific is a great choice for both families and couples. Dreams Las Mareas is on Playa El Jobo in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It has a kids’ club, spa, and expansive ocean-front swimming pools, with canopy loungers, bridges, waterfalls, and a water slide. Located in between the bay and the jungle, there are plenty of options for activities, such as sea kayaking, nature hikes, ziplines, wildlife watching, volcano and rainforest hikes, horseback riding, beach bonfires, and ATV excursions.
A stay at the resort includes all meals, beverages, and the Explorer’s Club for Kids. Costco members also receive a Costco Shop Card and resort coupons.
Pro tips: To prepare for your trip, and potentially reap even more rewards, use one of the best credit cards at Costco when you shop for your excursion.
5. Brilliant Bordeaux Cruise
This one is for the wine lovers. On the SS Bon Voyage, you’ll cruise the rivers flowing through France’s most famous wine region: Bordeaux. During the seven-day trip, you’ll visit the municipalities of Port de Blaye, Pauillac, Cadillac, Libourne, and Bordeaux, exploring wineries, chateaus, and historical sites. The 124-person capacity river cruise ship has a sundeck, swimming pool, French bistro, and stunning windowed cafe.
For Costco members, all guided shore excursions and non-premium beverages are included in the cruise. You’ll also receive a Costco Shop Card and Executive Members receive additional on board credit.
6. Likuliku Lagoon Resort Package
The intimate, idyllic Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Fiji’s quiet Malolo Island may leave you feeling connected with nature, and your traveling companion. The resort occupies a crescent-shaped white sand beach overlooking the clear and calm waters of a natural ocean lagoon, which is excellent for snorkeling. The lodgings here are inspired by traditional Fijian architecture, with open and breezy “bures” built with hand-woven thatched roofs and natural materials.
This exclusive Costco package includes roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles, six nights at the resort in a beachfront bure, three meals a day, and a 60-minute couples massage, as well as a few other perks.
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7. Botswana Experience of a Lifetime
This ultra-luxurious and experiential safari is truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip. With Lions World Travel, you’ll tour some of the most magnificent parks in Botswana and South Africa, stay in swank lodges, sleep out under the stars, and photograph the animals alongside renowned wildlife photographer Mike Myers. You’ll glamp at the iconic Jack’s Camp in the Kalahari Desert, witness migratory birds, zebras, lions, leopards, and wildebeest, and take a sunset boat cruise to see crocodiles and elephants.
The 11-day itinerary includes meals, accommodations, domestic airfare, local transport, and all tours — even the Meerkat Experience.
Pro tips: At over $20,000 per person, this ultra-luxury package could earn you a lot of rewards if you book using one of the best travel credit cards.
8. Hammock Cove Antigua Package
Overlooking a quiet protected cove with a clean sandy beach, this all-inclusive, beachfront Caribbean resort will likely leave you feeling pampered, rested, and well-fed. With this Antigua Package, you could dine on lobster at the resort’s Euro-Caribbean fusion restaurant, sleep in an airy villa overlooking aquamarine waters, and when you need a break from watersports and tennis, take a dip in the resort’s three-tiered, cascading waterfall pools. There’s no pressure here though, if you just want to spend your days on the private beach, rum cocktail in hand, your guest ambassador will know just the way you like it.
Stay at the resort includes all meals, domestic drinks, non-motorized water sports, and evening entertainment. Costco members also receive a Costco Shop Card.
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9. Taste of Ireland: Your Way Package
This seven-day, Ireland Your Way package, you could explore Dublin, and then tour Killarney and the West Ireland countryside at your own pace. Choose from stunning hotels, like the Great Southern Killarney, with its grand lobby, and countryside views. Or Ashford Castle — an actual castle — overlooking Lough Corrib with chandeliers, four-poster beds, underground swimming pool, and billiards room.
The package includes: ground transportation from airport to hotel in Dublin, accommodation, daily breakfast, and five-day car rental. Additionally, Costco members receive a slew of perks, such as welcome amenities, wine discounts, spa discounts, potential room upgrades, and food and beverage credits.
10. Los Cabos: Marquis Package
Situated in between the desert foothills and the sea, Los Cobos Marquis package is an adults-only resort and spa that may leave you feeling rejuvenated by nature, and spa treatments. The suites are decorated in a hacienda style, and there are also one-bedroom casitas with plunge pools. When you’ve had your fill of all-inclusive drinks in front of the infinity pool, or hydrotherapy treatments at the 13,000 square foot spa, explore nearby attractions, like the much-photographed arches of Cabo San Lucas, or take part in a whale watching tours.
This is an all-inclusive resort, and in addition to unlimited meals and drinks, Costco members receive resort credit and a Costco Shop Card.
Bottom line
This is just a very small sample of all the vacation deals Costco offers to its members, and there are new packages added all the time.
In addition to all of the great deals and perks exclusive to all Costco members, Executive card holders earn an annual 2% reward on all purchases. If you’re spending over $3,000 on a vacation package, it’s worth the additional $60 to upgrade your membership from Gold to Executive. And for some Costco travel packages, Executive members are privy to additional benefits. For the Venice, Florence, Rome, and Sorrento package, for instance, Executive card holders receive room upgrades, even more complimentary beverages, and additional discounts.
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