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Costa Rica boasts eco-adventures, white sand beaches and a tropical vibe, so it’s no surprise it’s a popular vacation destination.
You may be planning a Costa Rica trip to experience the wonders of the Poas Volcano, a white-water rafting adventure on the Sarapiqui River or snorkeling on the beaches by Puerto Viejo. Regardless of your itinerary, consider packing a travel insurance plan. It can help reimburse your nonrefundable trip costs if unexpected events derail your trip.
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Best Travel Insurance for Costa Rica Trips
The best travel insurance policies package together valuable benefits that safeguard your trip investment if problems arise before or during your trip. Here are our top-rated plans.
Source: Forbes Advisor Research. Average costs are based on various trip costs, ages and number of travelers.
Source: Forbes Advisor Research. Average costs are based on various trip costs, ages and number of travelers.
Cost of Travel Insurance for Costa Rica
The nonrefundable cost of your trip is the primary factor that affects how much you pay for travel insurance.
The more you spend on your trip (and insure the trip for), the higher the potential claim payout is for the travel insurance company. For example, the average cost of travel insurance is about $1,050 for a $20,000 trip but only $59 for a $1,000 trip, based on our analysis.
The average travel insurance cost is usually 4% to 6% of the trip cost, with 5% being the average, according to our evaluation of trips costing $1,000 to $50,000.
How Age Affects Travel Insurance Costs
Your age is also a major factor that determines how much you pay for travel insurance. The older you are, the higher the likelihood of filing a medical expense claim. Travelers age 60 and older generally pay the most for coverage.
If you’re a senior planning a trip, you’ll need to budget, on average, an additional 7% to 17% of your trip cost to cover a senior travel insurance policy.
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Types of Travel Insurance Coverage for a Trip to Costa Rica
How To Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Costa Rica
The best travel insurance policy for your Costa Rica trip depends on your particular preferences and what you plan to do when you arrive.
Travel Medical and Evacuation Limits
Travel medical expense limits vary significantly among plans—generally ranging from $25,000 to $500,000. If you want the highest amount of coverage and are concerned about medical costs, it’s probably prudent to buy a policy with $250,000 or $500,000 in benefits.
Medical evacuation coverage can be as low as $100,000, but many policies provide $500,000 or $1 million. If you are planning to explore remote areas of Costa Rica, it’s worth considering a higher amount of medical evacuation coverage.
Adventure Sports
Adventure sports—such as hang gliding, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving below certain depths—and activities, like biking on unmarked trails, are usually excluded from standard travel insurance policies. If you plan on this kind of thrill-seeking fun, look for a policy that offers add-on coverage for an extra charge. Some examples include:
World Nomads specializes in adventure activities and includes coverage in its policies
Baggage Insurance
If all you’re packing is t-shirts, flip-flops, shorts and bathing suits, you probably don’t need a high amount of baggage insurance. The coverage per person for baggage insurance on most travel insurance policies ranges from $250 to $3,000. Most travel insurance policies also have a per-item coverage cap of $50 to $500.
Even if you are traveling with pricey possessions, note that some policies exclude certain items from coverage, such as watches, silver, gold and platinum. Some policies also exclude laptops, cameras and other electronic equipment. If these belongings are on your packing list, be sure to ask if your travel insurance policy covers these items before you buy it.
Cruises
Typically, the only difference between “cruise insurance” and standard travel insurance is that travel insurance for cruises usually includes coverage for missed connections and cruise-related travel inconveniences. For example, if your ship arrives late at the next port of call. If you’re cruising to Costa Rica, consider checking out the Cruise Insurance plan from Seven Corners and the Cruise Luxury plan from Nationwide.
Delays
If you’re worried about incurring extra costs due to a delay, look for policies with high limits. Travel delay benefits usually range from $500 to $3,000. Baggage delay benefits can range from $200 to $1,000. You’ll also want to find a policy with a short required waiting period for delay benefits, such as six hours.
Pet Coverage
Expenses for injuries to your pet while traveling with you and kennel fees if you return home late from a trip are examples of pet coverage you can add to a policy or find included in some travel plans. The Elevate plan from WorldTrips and the Ultimate plan from Travelex both offer pet-related benefits as add-on coverage. The IMG iTravelInsured LX plan’s trip cancellation and interruption benefits cover sickness, injury or death of a dog or cat and include $500 in kennel benefits.
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Travel Inconvenience Coverage
Some policies pay a modest amount to reimburse you for minor travel hiccups, for example, if you have a tarmac delay or a ticketed event in your itinerary is canceled. The Ultimate Policy from Travelex is one.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Costa Rica Trips
What should I do if I need to make an emergency medical claim in Costa Rica?
The process for filing medical expense claims varies by travel insurance company and policy. Before you depart on your trip, review the information in your policy on how to file claims so you’re familiar with the claims process. Some travel insurers can arrange to pay the hospital directly, while others reimburse you after you file a claim. Regardless, it’s best to call the 24/7 hotline number listed on your policy or ID card as soon as possible. Your travel insurance company will help coordinate care and explain payment and claims processes.
When should I buy travel insurance for a trip to Costa Rica?
It’s wise to buy travel insurance immediately after you make your first trip deposit. That way, you get the maximum length of time for cancellation coverage. Plus, you’ll qualify for time-sensitive benefits, such as CFAR and pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers.
Can I use my American health insurance while traveling to Costa Rica?
U.S. health plans usually have limited or no coverage in other countries. Ask your health insurance provider if your coverage is applicable abroad.
In this commentary: Should I cancel my summer vacation?
in this commentary
Summer vacation plans are in jeopardy as travelers grapple with sticker shock, overwhelming crowds, and safety worries.
Are your reasons for canceling valid, or just excuses? This commentary separates the legitimate concerns from the lame ones.
Before you pull the plug on your trip, you need to know about the potential fallout—from disappointed family to steep financial penalties.
Is the thought of going on summer vacation too much for you? Too much money, too much hassle, too much everything?
Well, you’ve got company.
Americans are having second thoughts about their summer vacations, according to Stephen Day, director of Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Economic Education.
“People think their vacation dollars won’t take them very far,” he says.
A new survey finds that more than half of Americans are cutting back their summer travel plans, spurred by economic worries and price increases.
Should they? The answer is yes — and no. There’s no requirement to take a summer vacation. But there are also good — and not so good — reasons to cancel this year’s summer vacation.
You don’t have to take a vacation this summer
You may feel some pressure to go somewhere this summer, but experts say that’s nonsense.
“There’s nothing wrong with staying home,” says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips. “I respect a client who says, ‘We just can’t afford a trip this year.’ I appreciate that kind of honesty. Financial stress can spoil a vacation.”
The best reason to postpone or cancel a summer vacation is your personal circumstances — health issues, job loss, or personal crises. Friends and family can put a lot of pressure on you to go somewhere. Maybe there’s that moment next to the water cooler after Labor Day where you’re comparing your vacation stories with your colleagues, and maybe it fills you with dread.
So I’ll let you off the hook. If someone gives you an eye-roll when you admit you stayed home this summer, show them this column. Read Sherren’s quote. Hold your head high, my friend.
Summer vacation is not mandatory.
Here’s why you should cancel your summer vacation
There are legitimate reasons to call off your summer vacation.
It’s too expensive
Face it, traveling this summer is far from affordable. Airfares and hotel rates are trending higher in many popular places. “It’s massively expensive,” says Sarah Davies, who works for a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. She’s thinking of canceling her summer trip to Italy. “Is it a wise use of our finances?” she wonders. (Typically, if you have to ask that question, you already know the answer, which is to cancel.)
It’s too crowded
Crowds will probably be a serious problem this summer. Maria Szandrach has already canceled her summer vacation in Portugal. “I had everything planned — days wandering through Lisbon’s historic streets, exploring the stunning cliffs in the Algarve, and indulging in way too many pastéis de nata,” says Szandrach, who runs a technology company in San Francisco. “But after reading about how crowded things were going to be, I decided to cancel.” She says she didn’t want to spend her entire vacation “packed like a sardine at every major site.” And that’s a legitimate concern.
It’s too dangerous
Sebastian Garrido, a marketing manager for a tour operator based in Mexico City, says he’s canceled his summer vacation to visit his family in northern Mexico because he’s worried about security. “Northern Mexico is not the safest place,” he says. That may be an understatement. The U.S. State Department has warned of gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault along parts of the border with the U.S.. Better choose a safer summer vacation destination.
Bad reasons to cancel your summer vacation
But there are also reasons people are calling off their summer vacation that don’t really hold up. Those include:
“I can’t leave my pet alone”
Oh, for heaven’s sake! Get a friend to stop by your place to feed or walk your dog, or to house sit while you’re away, and enjoy a little time off. If you can’t bear to part with your furry friend, then find a pet-friendly summer vacation.
“I’m too busy for a vacation”
What nonsense! If you don’t take a little time off, you’re going to burn out. Everyone needs a little downtime away from the phone and laptop and spent with friends or family. You have to make the time.
“I’m not a good traveler”
Guess what? No one is a good traveler. Travel is uncomfortable, expensive and inconvenient — but once you get to your destination, it’s usually worth it. So don’t give me any excuses about being a bad traveler, please.
Your voice matters
🖐️ Your voice matters
Are you having second thoughts about your summer vacation this year? What are your biggest concerns—cost, crowds, or something else?
And what do you think is the best reason to cancel a trip?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Warning: If you cancel your vacation, you will have to deal with this
If you decide to cancel your summer vacation plans, be prepared for a few things. First, there will be fallout from the rest of your family or travel companions, who were really looking forward to seeing Rome or Lisbon this summer. You may have to promise them a do-over during the fall, when travel will be less expensive and crowded, so that’s a real win-win.
But second, and equally important, is that you could face some steep cancellation penalties. If you’ve already prepaid for airfare and hotels, you may lose some money. (That’s one reason I sometimes recommend travel insurance, especially “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. Because stuff happens.)
I’m having second thoughts about my summer travels, too. I’m currently in Germany and headed to Greece next week. I’m trying to avoid the popular places, and I’m staying flexible just in case things take a turn for the worse.
You never know.
The smart traveler’s guide to canceling a vacation
1
Review your policies first
Before you do anything, read the cancellation policies for your flights, hotels, and tours. Pay close attention to deadlines and non-refundable clauses.
2
Contact vendors immediately
The sooner you notify companies of your cancellation, the better your chances of a refund. Use email to create a written record of your request.
3
Understand your refund options
Companies may offer a cash refund, a future travel credit, or a voucher. Know the difference and the expiration dates for any credits offered.
4
File a travel insurance claim
If you have travel insurance and are canceling for a covered reason (like a medical issue), start the claims process right away. Be prepared to provide documentation.
There’s a moment just before every journey begins that feels suspended in time. You close the suitcase. You glance at your boarding pass. The world feels wide open—inviting, electric, full of possibility.
For many travelers, the promise of summer is just that: the sea’s shimmer, the deep blue stretch of sky, stars twinkling above a quiet beach, or the crisp air at the summit of a long-awaited mountain climb. This is the season for new landscapes, new languages, and unforgettable stories.
And yet, seasoned travelers know that while spontaneity adds magic to any adventure, preparation adds freedom. That’s where travel health insurance—and more specifically, Dunav Insurance Company’s policy—comes in.
“Travel health insurance provides protection against unforeseen medical expenses due to injury or health problems that may occur during a trip or stay abroad,” explains Ljubomir Zec, Director of Internal and External Sales at Dunav Insurance Company. “Our travel health insurance policy covers the costs of sudden and urgent medical interventions, outpatient and inpatient treatment, necessary medication, and transportation to the nearest medical facility.”
It’s a practical consideration, certainly. But it’s also a mindset. A traveler who is covered travels differently—more boldly, more fully. There’s a confidence in knowing you’re not navigating the unexpected alone.
Travel insurance. Photo credit: Shutterstock
What sets Dunav’s travel policy apart is its combination of ease, speed, and digital accessibility. In a few taps, on a smartphone or computer, the entire process is complete—no lines, no delays.
“Purchasing a travel health insurance policy online is quick and easy,” says Zec. “No matter where you are—at home on your computer, out on the street, or even in your car—you can complete this important policy in just a few minutes. Simply enter the details from your travel documents, along with your destination and trip duration, and you’ll not only be covered but also enjoy a 10% discount on your premium.”
For those who have experienced a sudden illness or injury while abroad, the importance of 24/7 access to reliable support cannot be overstated. Dunav’s dedicated Contact Center—reachable at +381 11 36 36 940—offers real-time assistance, day or night.
“Our friendly operators will provide all the necessary information and guidance to help ease your situation,” Zec says. He notes that coverage can reach up to €35,000 for a modest premium. “If you’re unable to get in touch with our center at a critical moment, be sure to keep all medical records and receipts. This way, upon your return, you can claim reimbursement for expenses covered under your travel health insurance policy.”
That blend of accessibility, financial protection, and customer care is the reason more and more travelers are making room in their itinerary for one essential extra: a Dunav travel health insurance policy.
Because while it can’t predict the unexpected, it ensures that when it happens—you’re ready.
To learn more or secure your policy before you travel, visit Dunav Insurance online or contact their dedicated team at +381 800 386 286 (toll-free in Serbia).
The Government has been pushing for reforms around transparency in the insurance industry, but just how necessary are they?
Fitness Instructor Donna Dunne got in touch with Lunchtime Live about a harrowing holiday experience, and how travel insurance may not make up for it.
Ms Dunne’s family camper van was broken into and robbed while on a holiday with her father and two teenage daughters in the south of France.
The culprits took the family’s passports, wallets and bank cards, leaving them to make their way across the country to the Irish embassy with only about €13 between them.
“The robbery was one thing; getting home was one thing; but since I’m home, it’s a different ball game,” she said.
“And actually, one hundred million times worse than being broken into.
“The insurance company were expecting me to submit documentation and evidence of what was the expiry date left on my passport [in order to cover the renewal fee].
“Without sounding funny, I’d have to go to your man in France who robbed me and say, ‘Sorry, would you mind if I just saw the document? I don’t know the expiry date’.”
Bored person on hold on their phone. Image: Antonio Guillem Fernández / Alamy Stock Photo
According to Ms Dunne, these requirements were not visible to her on her policy documents.
Consumer Journalist Siobhan Maguire said “the lack of consistency across travel insurance policies makes it so difficult for consumers to keep pace with what they’re supposed to do”.
“I’ve actually watched Donna’s videos on Instagram and when she talked about the passport issue, I thought, well I’m on the same travel policy, I’ll go check mine,” she said.
“I went though everything with a fine tooth comb and could find absolutely nothing relating to a travel cover in relation to your passport and how much is left in terms of its usage and how much you’ll be compensated as a result.”
Ms Maguire said “that, to me, was baffling”.
Ms Dunne also cited a range of other issues she had run into with her insurance, including being asked to provide photo evidence of each bag that had been stolen.
Main image: Stressed woman at desk. Image: Kateryna Onyshchuk / Alamy Stock Photo
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