Travel insurance for Costa Rica
What am I covered for when visiting Costa Rica?
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Costa Rica draws adventure travelers from all over the world. Whether you’ve got your heart set on ziplining through dense rainforest, tackling the epic waves of the Pacific Coast, or taking in the misty volcanic peaks on foot, this Central American destination ticks all the boxes.
- What’s covered?
- How to get the most out of your insurance if you’re planning a visit to Costa Rica?
- What to look for out when traveling to Costa Rica?
- What’s not covered
What’s covered?
Costa Rica is an intriguing destination, but like any country there are risks involved. That is why it is a requirement that travelers show proof of travel insurance to gain entry.
With World Nomads you can buy travel insurance with two levels of cover – Standard and Explorer – as soon as your trip is locked in and you're ready to go, or while you're on the road traveling around Costa Rica. Please be aware that each plan has different benefits, limits, and sub-limits.
Note: All travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what you are claiming for, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy.
Our plans include cover for:
- Emergency medical coverage and evacuation: if you fall ill or are injured during your travels, we may offer cover for surgery and hospital costs, prescribed medicines, and emergency medical transport. If you are in the jungle, get bitten by something and the nearest treatment centre is two hours away, medical evacuation will come in handy. You must call the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team, before incurring any medical costs.
- Trip delays or cancellation: flying to Costa Rica may require a stopover. If you miss a connecting flight or face unexpected delays and cancellations, we may cover you for transportation, lodging or personal care items. Benefit limits apply and delays must be more than six hours.
- Activities: World Nomads has cover for more than 150 activities. For a high-risk activity, such as ziplining, you’ll need to be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator.
- Baggage and personal belongings: if your baggage or belongings are stolen, damaged or destroyed you may be able to claim costs. Baggage delays may also be covered, so long as delays are more than 24 hours.
- Cover for some Coronavirus-related events: to find out what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
How to get the most out of your insurance if you’re planning a visit to Costa Rica?
Depending on where you’re traveling from, flying to Costa Rica may require a stopover which can lend itself to tight turn arounds of connecting flights, lost luggage, and bad weather causing unexpected flight cancellations.
And that’s not all you need to consider, although beautiful, this tropical haven is in an active earthquake, hurricane, and volcano zone, and the mountainous landscape is prone to landslides. World Nomads offers cover for natural disasters, but cover will depend on your Country of Residence and varies between plans. We can assist with all these situations and the right policy can go a long way to reducing the stress involved in international travel.
What to look for out when traveling to Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, road conditions are often poor, with potholes and inadequate signage, and crime does occur.
When it comes to beach safety, currents can be dangerous and many beaches are unsupervised by lifeguards and lack signage advising of unsafe conditions. If you are a digital nomad, be mindful of your tech security.
If you’re hiring a car, our Explorer Plan includes rental car excess. Cover is also available for the cost of replacing rental car keys if they get lost, stolen or damaged during the rental period. You must have a valid licence from your country of residence for the class of vehicle you’re driving overseas, regardless of local laws. You must also comply with local laws of the country you’re driving in.
Note: travel insurance doesn’t replace the need to have a signed rental vehicle agreement or damage waiver in place.
If you find yourself in a crisis, the World Nomads 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team is available for roadside assistance referrals or locations of nearby hospitals, medical providers or pharmacies. The team can also help if you’re having trouble getting by in a language you don’t know.
Traveler tip: Costa Rica grants visas to digital nomads. The visa allows foreign nationals and their families to live and work there for at least 12 months, with the possibility of a further year-long renewal. The visa allows exemption from income tax, and a local bank account; this is a significant increase on the 90-day limit on tourist stays.
What's not covered
Some things we won’t not cover include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your policy wording.
- Any expenses which World Nomads or the Emergency Assistance Team determine are not medically necessary.
- Change of mind, disinclination, or reluctance to travel.
- Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is the subject of a government Do Not Travel or Avoid Non-essential Travel warning issued by the US Department of State.
- Illness associated with a failure to comply with preventative measures for the region, as outlined by the World Health Organization, including obtaining relevant vaccinations. Refer to int for further information.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered that way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Did you know travel insurance covers...
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Lost or damaged gear
- Delayed baggage
- Death overseas
- Terrorism
- And more...
You can also buy away from home or buy more cover if you extend your trip. Plus, you can claim online anytime, anywhere in the world.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.
- Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
- Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
- Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
We'll get you to hospital quickly.
- Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
- Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
- Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- 24 hour Emergency Assistance
- Emergency Medical Transport
- Repatriation & Travel Expenses
- Pre-Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Resumption of Trip
- Travel Delay
- Missed connection (Explorer)
- Hijacking (Explorer)
- Baggage & Personal Items
- Passport & Travel Documents
- Personal Liability
- Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
- Personal accident (Explorer)
Stolen Device
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.
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.