Travel insurance for Costa Rica
Expert tips for choosing travel insurance for Costa Rica
Deciding on the best travel insurance policy for you can be difficult, which is why our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, has some tips for helping you search for suitable travel plans.
Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance
Purchase your policy early
Insure your trip as early as possible with a policy that includes cancellation cover, just in case something goes wrong and you need to cancel your trip. By taking out a policy as soon as you pre-book anything, you may get a reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs, in case an unforeseen event forces you to cancel some, or all, of your trip.
Declare pre-existing medical conditions
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it’s a good idea to declare them to your insurer when taking out a policy. Only some pre-existing medical conditions are covered automatically; however, your insurer could agree to cover other conditions following their assessment. Keep in mind, covering your pre-existing conditions may cost an additional premium.
Compare and save
When you’re looking to buy travel insurance, one way you may be able to save is by comparing your options. Search different providers, levels of cover and quotes with our free comparison tool. Simples!
Do I need travel insurance for Costa Rica?
While it’s not compulsory to get travel insurance for Costa Rica, it can be a good idea for any international trip you might take. The right travel insurance plan may provide peace of mind on your journey and a financial safety net if you have unexpected medical expenses, or you lose your luggage.
Costa Rica doesn’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, and you won’t be covered by your own private medical insurance. Since you can’t always predict when you twist your ankle while hiking through rainforest or national parks or fall ill unexpectedly, it can be crucial to check your travel insurance company offers adequate medical coverage for your trip.
Inclusions and exclusions
Most travel insurance policies will include a few basic benefits, such as a 24/7 emergency assistance service, personal liability cover and medical cover. Further inclusions, as well as higher claim limits, may be included in higher levels of cover.
It’s important to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing a policy to understand the inclusions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits. For further information on whether a policy is right for you, refer to the policy wording or the Target Market Determination (TMD).
When taking out a travel insurance policy, these are some of the inclusions you may want your policy to cover.
What’s included in travel insurance for Costa Rica?
As with any destination, the exact inclusions in your travel insurance policy for Costa Rica may vary depending on the type of policy, the level of cover and which insurer you choose. However, a typical comprehensive or top tier policy may cover the following:
- 24/7 emergency assistance services
- Medical expenses
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation back to Australia
- Trip cancellation costs
- Trip interruption or disruption costs
- Trip delay costs
- Natural disaster costs
- Loss, theft or damage of belongings and valuables (including cash, credit cards and travel documents).
You can find the full extent of your travel insurance coverage in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), including the benefits, exclusions and limits to the policy. Read the Target Market Determination (TMD) to check whether a policy is suitable to your needs.
Optional extras for Costa Rica
On top of the automatic inclusions in your policy, there may also be a number of optional extras available to you for further cover. For Costa Rica, you may want to consider:
- Adventure sports cover. As Costa Rica is bordered by both the Caribbean and Pacific sea, there’s a good chance you might be interested in hitting up the coast; however, adventure activities like scuba diving (past a certain depth) may only be covered be as an add-on. It’s up to you to check exactly what adventure activities may be covered automatically (like ziplining or snorkelling) and what might not be. They may also vary between policies and levels of cover, so always check the PDS before purchasing your policy.
- Cruise cover. If you’re taking a cruise through the Caribbean, be sure to add cruise cover to your policy; otherwise, you may not be covered for any losses or extra expenses that occur relating to your cruise. This may include if you fall ill and need onboard medical care, or you miss pre-booked shore excursions if you cannot disembark due to bad weather.
- Rental car excess cover. If you plan to rent a car in Costa Rica, you may be able to drive on your Australian license.1 If your car damaged in an accident or stolen, you may have to pay an excess to your hire company. By purchasing rental excess cover as an optional extra, your travel insurance may cover this cost.
What’s excluded from travel insurance in Costa Rica?
Every policy, regardless of where you’re travelling to, will come with a number of exclusions that may impact the outcome of your claims.
Common exclusions may include the following:
- Travelling against government travel advisories (e.g. a ‘Do not travel’ warning)
- Leaving your belongings unsupervised in a public space
- Claiming for losses that have already been reimbursed (e.g. by your airline or tour operator)
- War, terrorism or civil unrest
- Losses caused when driving a moped, scooter or motorbike without a helmet.
Exclusions can differ between insurers and levels of cover. It’s important to read the PDS to understand these exclusions before you purchase your travel insurance policy.
What to be aware of in Costa Rica
Costa Rica can be an excellent holiday location, but like any destination, that doesn’t mean it’s without the risks. A few things to be aware of are:
- Take caution when travelling in the rainy season. It may be cheaper to travel during Costa Rica’s rainy season, but your trip could be impacted by the weather. This may cause cancelled tours or activities, as well as bigger issues such as flooding and landslides that can affect your holiday. Check that you’re covered for cancellations before travelling.
- Be aware of pickpocketing and theft. Most popular tourist destinations will have an issue with petty theft and pickpocketing to some degree, so you should remain vigilant and keep a hold on your belongings in public. Be especially wary in tourist hotspots (e.g. San Jose) and be sure to only take licensed taxis when travelling around.1
- Choose reputable tour operators. It’s important to make sure the minimum safety requirements are fulfilled and you use available safety gear, but not all tour operators may have up-to-date safety regulations and gear. If it’s a risky activity, such as whitewater rafting and bungee jumping, check that you’re covered by your travel insurance policy automatically, or with an adventure cover add-on.
- Keep informed of natural disasters. There are other natural disasters to be aware of and plan for when taking a trip to Costa Rica. Hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic activity are all possible and may disrupt your trip. If you travel to Costa Rica against government advice when a natural disaster has recently happened, is currently occurring or is expecting to happen imminently, you may not be covered.
Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.
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1 Smartraveller – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Costa Rica Current as of September 2024. Accessed September 2024.