From sandy beaches to active volcanoes, learn why travel insurance for Costa Rica is a smart investment for Americans.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
From cloud forests to coffee fincas, hot springs to secluded beaches, Costa Rica is a country renowned for its natural abundance. You can explore the biodiversity of Arenal Volcano on horseback, unwind at a yoga retreat in the rainforest, brush up on your surfing skills in Tamarindo, or go white water rafting on Pacuare River. American travelers visiting Costa Rica are spoiled with the abundance of epic outdoor adventures.
Culture and food travelers might enjoy sampling locally grown coffee in Tarrazú, learning to cook local delicacies on a sustainable farm, or taking a mask making class with the Indigenous Terraba people.
No matter how carefully you’ve planned your trip and whatever your itinerary includes, there are certain things you simply can’t plan for on any trip. To protect yourself and your well-earned adventure, we encourage you to explore travel insurance* plans for Costa Rica.
International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises- such as crossing paths with a sloth on the Osa Peninsula.
Some surprises are not as fun though. Nobody wants to think about things like canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If you fall while hiking Rincon de la Vieja, you may wish you had travel insurance for Costa Rica then.
While it is no longer required to have travel insurance for Costa Rica, we encourage you to consider protecting yourself and your trip against the unexpected. World Nomads has four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.
You may be heading down to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast to surf some major swells or envision climbing through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in search of toucans. Costa Rica is a dream destination for cultural and outdoor adventures. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Costa Rica and includes things like surfing, hiking, sea kayaking, and snorkeling.
Before you get a quote for your travel insurance for Costa Rica, it’s a good idea to know which activities you’d like to do. Each insurance plan covers different activities so with a rough itinerary, you can select the best insurance for your adventure.
Spearfishing in Guanacaste and scuba diving in Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast will be covered by all plans, including the Standard Plan. If you want to ditch the tank and go free diving instead, you’ll need to upgrade to the Explorer Plan or the Epic Plan.
Before you take off on your adventure to Costa Rica, we recommend that you make an appointment with Runway Health-- an online travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. The telehealth service offers online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain any necessary vaccinations or medications, such as malaria prevention and medication to help with traveler’s diarrhea. We also recommend that you pack a strong mosquito repellent to help protect yourself against dengue fever, malaria, and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
Most Americans diving in Costa Rica have no problems at all, but sometimes things happen. Make sure to protect yourself. Never dive deeper than your qualification limits and never dive solo. If you get decompression sickness, emergency medical coverage under your travel insurance for Costa Rica may reimburse you for your medical expenses.
If you have a medical emergency when traveling to Costa Rica, you can call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your Costa Rican medical team if there are language barriers.
If your medical team (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) thinks it’s best for you to travel back home to the United States for treatment, travel insurance that covers repatriation may also help cover the costs to get you there.
Nobody plans for lost bags, but it happens. If you were planning to snorkel in Cocos Island National Park, you may have packed your mask, fins, and favorite swimsuits. You would be disappointed to learn that your luggage didn’t arrive in San Jose when you did. Your travel insurance for Costa Rica may reimburse you for the cost of replacing your snorkel gear and other belongings.
If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If your bag is delayed for 12 hours or more, you may still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
Costa Rica is generally considered safe for American travelers, but there are some safety tips to be aware of. Pickpocketing and car break-ins can happen, especially in popular tourist spots and in bus stations, central mercados, and in the downtown areas of San Jose. A bit of common sense will go a long way. Lock up your valuables in a safe in your room, leave flashy jewelry at home, and be careful not to flash a lot of money or electronics in public.
If you’re driving around Costa Rica, avoid leaving valuables in your car whenever possible. At the beach, take turns going for swims with friends so someone can keep an eye on your belongings.
If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need that if you have to make a claim.
Even if you mapped out every detail of your vacation to Costa Rica, sometimes things can happen that cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip. Before you purchase your insurance, make sure that it covers things like trip cancelations and delays so you may be eligible for reimbursement for non-refundable, pre-purchased activities.
Sometimes unexpected situations happen that can derail your plans. What happens if you get sick a few days before leaving for Costa Rica? If your doctor tells you not to travel at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. A travel insurance plan for Costa Rica that includes cancellation coverage may reimburse you for those non-refundable flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance.
World Nomads insurance plans may also cover you if something happens while you’re already on your vacation. What happens if you and your buddy are winding through the green mountains of Costa Rica on motorbikes and your friend takes a spill and needs to spend a few days recovering in a hospital? If your travel companion needs to spend at least one day getting treatment in the hospital, your travel insurance for Costa Rica may reimburse you for expenses incurred to remain with them.
With plenty of direct flights to San Jose from the US, Costa Rica is a popular destination for Americans looking for some winter sunshine and year-round adventure. Check out our tips for Costa Rica travel that might come in handy during your vacation—and brush up on a few Spanish phrases!
Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for Costa Rica. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories.
If you purchase travel insurance for Costa Rica, it’s a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Costa Rica has incredible biodiversity—and in tune with that, is home to many permaculture farms, wildlife conservation spaces, and eco-friendly initiatives. Explore eco-friendly tour operators, respect the local environment, and look into ways to tap into Costa Rica’s environmental scene on your trip, whether it’s through a farm stay or a volunteer project. Most importantly, kick back and enjoy that Pura Vida lifestyle.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
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Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
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The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
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Non-Insurance Services
I was renting a room in Costa Rica. Before I left for an excursion, I put my valuables out of sight. When I returned, my trip my device was gone. There were a few other items moved throughout the house, but that was the only item that was taken.
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.