Do You Need Travel Insurance For Costa Rica?
No, as of April 1, 2022, travel insurance is no longer required to visit Costa Rica. With that said, travel experts strongly recommend that anyone heading to Costa Rica considers purchasing a policy that includes medical coverage for the duration of their trip.
Squaremouth’s Costa Rica Travel Insurance Recommendations
Costa Rica is one of the world’s most popular destinations for thrill seekers, beach lovers, and nature enthusiasts alike. While the country is generally safe to visit, Squaremouth encourages all Costa Rica travelers to get a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers the most common travel disruptions.
Such a policy will add a layer of financial protection if things go wrong before and during a trip. Included below are specific coverage recommendations for travelers currently planning a Costa Rica adventure.
Costa Rica Medical Travel Insurance
Since most health plans don’t cover overseas medical emergencies, most Costa Rica travelers purchase insurance to cover costs related to unexpected injuries and illnesses during their trip. Travel medical insurance is broken down into two main benefits, Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation.
Emergency Medical covers the cost of common medical expenses you may encounter when you get sick or injured, such as ambulance rides, hospital stays, physician visits, x-rays, and more. Coverage can range dramatically from one plan to the next, but we suggest a policy that includes at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage.
Medical Evacuation can cover expenses related to transporting you to an adequate medical facility to receive treatment. This could be a facility in Costa Rica, another neighboring country, or back home. Since the cost of evacuations can be extremely expensive, we recommend at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.
Sports and Activities Coverage
Condé Nast Traveler ranks Costa Rica as one of the world’s top 10 adventure travel destinations. The Central American playground is home to hiking, zip lining, rafting, kayaking, and other adrenaline-filled activities.
Not all travel insurance policies include coverage for hazardous activities like the ones named above. If your itinerary includes adventurous excursions, you will likely need a policy that includes the benefit. This will improve your odds of being covered if you are harmed while participating in extreme sports while traveling.
Click here to see what activities can be covered and find a policy that can offer protection for your itinerary.
Costa Rica Cancellation Coverage
If you need to cancel your Costa Rica trip before it begins, Trip Cancellation coverage may be able to help you recoup your prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, such as flights, hotels, and excursions. This benefit can reimburse you if you are forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason, such as an unexpected illness, injury, or employment termination.
Depending on how soon you purchase your policy, some providers may offer the option for you to include Cancel For Any Reason coverage in your policy. This optional upgrade can offer partial reimbursem*nt for cancellations that aren’t typically covered by standard travel insurance.
Travelers may also be covered if they need to cut their trip short and return home early under their policies Trip Interruption benefit. This coverage may cover any unused trip costs, as well as additional costs required to book additional travel arrangements to safely return home.
Hurricane and Weather Protection
While Costa Rica is in the Caribbean, just south of the hurricane belt, it only sees hurricanes occasionally. With that said, those traveling during hurricane season should still be cautious and prepared to face severe weather.
Fortunately, most travel insurance policies will include Hurricane and Weather coverage. This coverage provides reimbursem*nt for travelers that need to cancel their trip or end their trip early due to inclement weather and natural disasters.
Costa Rica Flight Delay Coverage
If your flight is delayed heading to or from your Costa Rica trip, you may be eligible for reimbursem*nt through the following benefits:
- Travel Delay: Can reimburse travelers for food and lodging expenses if they experience significant flight delays.
- Missed Connection: May cover additional costs needed to catch up to a trip if a delay forces a traveler to miss their connecting flight.
Baggage Coverage
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies will also include coverage for delayed or lost luggage in the form of the following benefits:
- Baggage Delay: Can reimburse travelers the cost of clothing, toiletries, and other necessities if their bags are delayed in transit.
- : This benefit may reimburse travelers if their luggage or belongings are lost, damaged, or stolen at any point during their trip.
- Sports Equipment Loss: Can reimburse a traveler in the event their own sports equipment, such as a surfboard or hiking poles, is lost or damaged during a covered trip.
Other Costa Rica Entry Requirements
While there are currently no travel insurance requirements that need to be met to enter Costa Rica, there are other guidelines that visitors must follow to gain entry.
- Valid Passport: Visitors must have a passport that’s valid for the duration of your stay.
- Exit Intent: All non-resident travelers must possess a return ticket or proof of their intent to exit the country before their entry stamp expires, usually within 90 days.
- Tourist Visa: May be required for stays longer than 90 days. See the Embassy of Costa Rica’s website for the most current visa information.
Click here to begin your search for Costa Rica Travel Insurance.
Costa Rica Travel Insurance Trends and Data
With its tropical waters, beaches, and rainforests, Costa Rica has become one of the most popular destinations over the past year.
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Destination Rank: 14
Percentage of Squaremouth Sales: 1.88%
Average Premium: $215.02
Average Trip Cost: $3,526.35
Squaremouth Analytics compares thousands of travel insurance policies purchased pre- and post-pandemic to identify changes and trends in the travel insurance industry.
Costa Rica Articles and Press Releases
- New CDC Requirement Proves Value of Travel Insurance Upgrade
- Travel Insurance Trends Show Pandemic Impact on Holiday Travel
- For the First Time, Caribbean Countries Lead in US Tourism Destinations
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