Travel in 2020 is unlike travel ever before: In addition to all the normal concerns – Do I have my passport? Did I pack the right type of shoes? What if the airline loses my luggage? – the pandemic has layered on a whole new tier of topics to consider.
Here's one concern we can help allay: What is this Costa Rica corona virus travel insurance– (officially, COVID-19 or coronavirus, but we've adjusted to corona virus, to account for how many of our travelers are searching) – and what available policies will cover the requirements? More specifically, what's the cheapest [qualifying] Costa Rica travel insurance available?
But first, let's talk basics:
As of November 2020, our national borders are open and Costa Rica corona virus protocols are evolving. Evolving to be easier-to-understand, that is!
Costa Rica's simplified travel requirements are the following:
As outlined by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (click through for full requirements), before entrance to Costa Rica, tourists and foreign nationals must a travel insurance policy that covers $50,000 in COVID-19 medical expenses and $2,000 for quarantine accommodations, were quarantine required.
That second requirement is where most people hit a snag: Many insurance policies now cover COVID expenses but few cover quarantine accommodations.
That said, if your policy does not specifically outline $2,000+ in quarantine accommodations coverage, then it will not be accepted by the Health Pass Form and Costa Rican Immigration will not allow you to enter the country.
Additionally, international policies must be reviewed and approved by Costa Rican authorities. If more information is required to review/approve a policy, then you may be required to present a letter detailing coverage levels.
And all this to say, relax; we've already done the work for you!
As of publication, there are three policies – two local and one international – that fully cover current Costa Rica travel insurance requirements.
November 2020: Costa Rica Travel Requirements
As of November 2020, our national borders are open and Costa Rica corona virus protocols are evolving. Evolving to be easier-to-understand, that is!
Costa Rica's simplified travel requirements are the following:
- A completed Health Pass.
- Traveler's Medical Insurance (international or Costa Rican), effective for your visit and that covers at least $50,000 in medical expenses (including COVID) and a minimum $2,000 for COVID-related (possible quarantine) lodging expenses.
- Already Flying to/from Costa Rica: Aeromexico, Air France, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Spirit and United Airlines (including service to Liberia, the closest airport to Tamarindo)
- Scheduled Flight Re–Openings, Coming Soon: Air Canada (November 3), Alaska Air (November 19), British Airways (November 1), Edelweiss (December 23), Southwest (2021)
Costa Rica Corona Virus Insurance: The Requirements
As outlined by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (click through for full requirements), before entrance to Costa Rica, tourists and foreign nationals must a travel insurance policy that covers $50,000 in COVID-19 medical expenses and $2,000 for quarantine accommodations, were quarantine required.
That second requirement is where most people hit a snag: Many insurance policies now cover COVID expenses but few cover quarantine accommodations.
That said, if your policy does not specifically outline $2,000+ in quarantine accommodations coverage, then it will not be accepted by the Health Pass Form and Costa Rican Immigration will not allow you to enter the country.
Additionally, international policies must be reviewed and approved by Costa Rican authorities. If more information is required to review/approve a policy, then you may be required to present a letter detailing coverage levels.
And all this to say, relax; we've already done the work for you!
Costa Rica Corona Virus Insurance: 4 Options (with costs)
As of publication, there are three policies – two local and one international – that fully cover current Costa Rica travel insurance requirements.
Local Policy #1: INS (The National Insurance Institute)
Costa Rica's National Insurance Institute (INS) offers one of the first local policies to cover COVID travel requirements. Coverage includes Accident, Illness (including COVID-19 Medical Expenses), Quarantine Accommodation Expenses, and more. The big pro: This policy has already been verified and approved by the Costa Rican government, so you are guaranteed it meets all insurance requirements. INS Travel Coverage Summary:- Medical Expense Coverage (including medications): $20,000
- Pre-Existing Condition Medical Expense Coverage: $300
- Quarantine Accommodation Coverage: $4,000 (max. $300 per day)
- Sanitary/Funerary RepatriationCosts: $18,000
- Passport Loss: $100.
- Cost: $9.50-$21.50 per person, per day (varies by traveler age and total travelers)
Local Policy #2: Sagicor
Sagicor offers the second Costa Rica travel insurance approved by the Costa Rican government. Coverage includes Illness (including COVID-19 Medical Expenses), Quarantine Accommodation Expenses, and more. Again, the big pro: This policy has already been verified and approved by the Costa Rican government, so you are guaranteed it meets all insurance requirements. Sagicor Travel Coverage Summary:- Medical Expense Coverage (including medications): $20,000
- Pre-Existing Condition Medical Expense Coverage: $300
- Quarantine Accommodation Coverage: $4,000 (max. $300 per day)
- Sanitary/Funerary Repatriation Costs: $18,000
- Passport Loss: $100.
- Cost: $11.30-$22.60 per person, per day (varies by traveler age and total travelers)
International Policy #1: Trawick International
We're excited to share a new option in Costa Rica corona virus insurance: Trawick International's Safe Travels Voyager. As of publication, this policy is available to U.S. citizens and U.S. residents only. Its comprehensive coverage satisfies local requirements. Trawick International's Safe Travels Voyager Coverage Summary:- Emergency Medical Coverage: up to $250,000
- Emergency Evacuation Coverage: $1,000,000
- Includes Pre-Existing Medical Conditions on plans purchased prior to or with Final Trip Payment
- Trip Cost: up to $100,000 per person
- Trip Delay/Quarantine Lodging Expenses: $2,000
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)
- Also includes Primary Medical Coverage, Rental Car Damage, 24-Hour AD&D, and more
- Couple (both 40 years-old; traveling from Virginia): $255 ($432 with CFAR coverage) – starting at $12.75/day/person
- Family of 4 (45 years-old, 40 years-old, 15 years-old, 10 years-old; traveling from California): $318 ($540 with CFAR coverage) – starting at $7.95/day/person
- Senior Couple (both 71 years-old; traveling from Georgia): $580 ($985 with CFAR coverage) – starting at $29/day/person
International Policy #2: Travel Guard
Another fairly new option in Costa Rica travel insurance: Travel Guard's Preferred and Deluxe policies. As of publication, these policies are available to U.S. citizens and U.S. residents only. Its comprehensive coverage satisfies local requirements. Travel Guard's Preferred / Deluxe Coverage Summary:- Emergency Medical Coverage: $100,000 / $50,000
- Emergency Evacuation Coverage: $1,000,000 / $500,000
- Trip Delay/Quarantine Lodging Expenses: $2,000 (MUST add the optional Lodging Expense Bundle)
- Also Includes many other options, depending on the policy you select
- Couple (both 40 years-old; traveling from Virginia): $348 + $33 Lodging Expense Bundle – starting at $19.05/day/person
- Family of 4 (45 years-old, 40 years-old, 15 years-old, 10 years-old; traveling from California): $404 + $33 Lodging Expense Bundle – starting at $11.75/day/person
- Senior Couple (both 71 years-old; traveling from Georgia): $581.50 + $33 Lodging Expense Bundle – starting at $30.75/day/person
What If I Want to Use My Own Travel Insurance Policy?
You can do that! Provided, of course, that it meets Costa Rica's minimum insurance requirements and is approved by government authorities. Here's what you'll need to prove with documentation, likely in the form of an official letter (in English or Spanish) from your insurance issuer:- Policy Validity: Validity of the policy during your visit to Costa Rica.
- $50,000 Minimum Coverage: Must specifically include coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses.
- $2,000 Quarantine Coverage: Extended lodging coverage, sometimes called Trip Delay, specifically for accommodation expenses.