Coming to Costa Rica is on many people’s bucket lists for many reasons, the beaches, the rainforest, the volcanos, the surf, birding, and everything in between.
As we move away from the tough times of 2020, we still get common questions from our clients about insurance, whether it is from COVID-19, flight cancellations, or lost luggage.
So, pull up a chair, and let’s chat about travel insurance and how we can make your experience much more manageable.
Do You Need Travel Insurance For Costa Rica?
Travel insurance is now optional for all visitors coming to Costa Rica, but we want to share our knowledge regarding travel insurance. Our goal is that you don’t need to use it, but we also know things could potentially happen when you are visiting Costa Rica.
The insurance we are discussing is not what you had to get during the COVID-19 insurance. As of April 1st, Costa Rica has eliminated the Health Pass and medical insurance requirements for unvaccinated foreigners.
The insurance we are talking about is not just health and medical insurance but also trip and flight cancellations or losing airlines’ lost luggage.
What Is Required?
There is no requirement for travel insurance, but travel insurance is highly recommended for all visitors. We know there have been outbreaks of COVID-19, so we want you to ensure that you are prepared in case something happens.
If you are traveling to Costa Rica, there are a few things that you will need regardless of having insurance or not. First, you will need an updated passport. Make a copy of your passport in case something happens and the internet is down, and we suggest that you call your primary care physician to find out if there are medications that you need to take before you leave.
Should You Get Travel Insurance For Costa Rica?
Yes, we recommend getting travel insurance. Why?
Coming to Costa Rica, there can be a lot of activities, such as surfing, zip lining, whitewater rafting, ATV tours, SCUBA diving, etc. So, having proper travel medical insurance is great, but it isn’t just about the medical aspects of the insurance; it is also about canceled flights and weather delays, especially during the rainy or hurricane season (depending on when you come to Costa Rica).
As you know, many hurricanes can come in fast, wipe out places, and cancel flights, but with travel insurance, you will be covered for these issues.
Travel insurance could also cover theft. And while we don’t want to admit it, it can happen anywhere. For example, petty theft can be an issue in Costa Rica; we suggest you be wise when leaving valuables in the car, on the beach, or in your hotel.
Our two cents suggest that you need travel insurance, especially with the rise of traveling since COVID-19, as we have heard some stories about canceled flights, lost luggage, and everything in between.
How Much Is Travel Insurance To Costa Rica?
We want you to consider when looking for travel insurance; since there are many options, consider what you need the insurance for, such as medical, lost luggage, or canceled flights. We also understand that life can hit you hard, and maybe you have to go back home immediately. It all depends on what you need during your trip to Costa Rica.
For example, if a flight is canceled due to a hurricane, you are flying from Florida during high hurricane season. Or another example would be if the luggage was lost. Do you wait until you receive your luggage, or do you find a few pieces of clothing in Costa Rica?
Another thought about travel insurance and how much it is does depend on where you are going (Costa Rica), how old you are and how long you will be in the country. The different levels of coverage will be available for the travel companies that sell insurance, so you want to ensure you get what you need.
As we don’t sell travel insurance, we want to provide ideas and thoughts for you as you come to Costa Rica. So, we can not give you a specific amount of insurance because it will depend on what you are looking for, but we wanted to remind you how important it is.
How To Get Travel Insurance For Costa Rica?
There are many places online to get travel insurance. The one company that we work with is Travel Insured (we are an affiliate).
Here are some questions that can help you determine what type of travel insurance you are looking for:
- How is your health? How is your spouse/partner’s health? Do you have kids traveling with you?
- Do you have any elderly living at home that you may need to attend to quickly?
- What time of year are you traveling?
- Could the weather affect your traveling? (Hurricane season, for example).
If you have any questions about this, we are happy to answer when you give us a call or contact us. We know there are many options, so we want to make sure you are being taken care of, and we can talk you through some possibilities.
What Car Rental Insurance Do You Need For Costa Rica?
One of our most famous questions, which can be very confusing, is about car rental insurance.
Yes, car rental insurance is mandatory for Costa Rica car rentals. Which car insurance is mandatory? It is liability insurance, and it provides minimal coverage.
Car rentals will offer additional insurance that can cover deductibles and other accidents that may happen outside of a car accident. If you have a credit card with car rental insurance, check if they cover it in Costa Rica, as credit card companies will not cover some insurance in Costa Rica.
Another option for not buying additional car insurance is the travel insurance you may purchase from above. So, if you need different car insurance and don’t want to pay through the car rental and your credit card doesn’t provide additional, check it out when searching for travel insurance.
Have Questions?
We realize that many factors will be considered when deciding on travel insurance. We wanted to give you options that may help you whether you get insurance or not. We highly recommend that you find some travel insurance to ease your mind.
Traveling is pretty spectacular, but we also know that there are ways to make it a little bit easier, such as getting travel insurance and connecting with us to help you plan your trip to Costa Rica.
Please contact us with any questions that you have.
John Rabenau has been working in the eco-tourism & adventure travel industry in Costa Rica since 2002. He has worked in a variety of capacities from Outdoor Educator & Principle Guide to Itinerary Design Manager & Business Owner for numerous organizations. He has grown Costa Rica Escapes into one of the most reputable Costa Rica travel agencies since its creation in 2006, hosting more than 5,000 people with custom vacation itineraries.