Travel Insurance for Costa Rica
While not legally required for most visitors, travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to Costa Rica. Medical costs, adventure activity accidents, theft, and natural disruptions are all real risks — and a good policy costs a fraction of what even one hospital visit could set you back.
Is travel insurance required for Costa Rica?
No, travel insurance is not required for tourist entry into Costa Rica for most nationalities. However, it is highly recommended. Private hospital care for foreigners in Costa Rica is expensive — a serious accident or illness can cost $10,000–$50,000+ in medical bills. Emergency medical evacuation back to your home country can cost $50,000–$100,000.
If you plan to do any adventure activities — surfing, zip-lining, ATV riding, white water rafting — make sure your policy specifically covers those activities. Many standard policies exclude them by default.
Why Travel Insurance Matters in Costa Rica
Medical Costs
Costa Rica's public healthcare (CAJA) is not accessible to tourists in most situations. Private hospitals like CIMA and Clínica Bíblica in San José provide excellent care but charge international prices. A broken leg requiring surgery can cost $8,000–$20,000. An emergency appendectomy: $5,000–$15,000.
Emergency Evacuation
If you're injured in a remote area — the Osa Peninsula, a mountain trail, or an offshore dive — getting evacuated to a hospital or back to your home country can cost $30,000–$100,000+. Emergency evacuation coverage is non-negotiable if you're venturing off the beaten path.
Theft & Loss
Petty theft is the most common crime tourists encounter in Costa Rica. Cameras, laptops, passports, and cash stolen from cars, beaches, or hostels are all claimable with proper documentation. Keep a police report (denuncia) number — it's required for any theft claim.
Natural Disruptions
Costa Rica sits on the Ring of Fire and has active volcanoes, earthquakes, and seasonal flooding. Comprehensive policies cover trip cancellations or interruptions due to natural disasters. During a major eruption or road washout, having that coverage matters.
Adventure Activities Are Often Excluded From Standard Policies
This is the most common and costly mistake travelers make. A standard travel insurance policy typically excludes "hazardous activities" such as:
- Surfing (especially in surf lessons or with rentals)
- Zip-lining and canopy tours
- ATV and quad bike riding
- White water rafting (Class III+)
- Canyoning and waterfall rappelling
- Deep-sea fishing and scuba diving
- Horseback riding (in some policies)
You must either purchase a policy designed for adventure travel (like World Nomads) or add an adventure sports rider to your existing policy. Read the exclusions list — not just the summary page.
What to Look for in a Policy
| Coverage Type | Minimum Recommended | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical | $100,000+ | Covers hospital stays, surgery, and doctor visits. Look for policies with no per-incident cap. |
| Emergency Evacuation | $250,000+ | Covers airlift from remote areas and repatriation to your home country. |
| Trip Cancellation | 100% of trip cost | Reimburses pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if you must cancel for a covered reason. |
| Trip Interruption | 150% of trip cost | Covers extra costs (rebooking, hotels) if your trip is cut short mid-stay. |
| Baggage & Personal Items | $1,500–$3,000 | Covers theft, loss, or damage to luggage and electronics. Check per-item limits. |
| Adventure Sports Rider | Included or add-on | Essential for surfing, zip-lining, rafting, ATVs, and other activities common in CR. |
| 24/7 Assistance | Required | A phone number you can call at 2 AM when you're in a hospital in Liberia. Non-negotiable. |
Recommended Insurance Providers
These are the most commonly used providers among travelers to Costa Rica. Costs vary based on age, trip length, and coverage level — always get a quote for your specific trip.
SafetyWing — Nomad Insurance
Best for: Long-term travelers, digital nomads, and anyone staying 1–6+ months.
Cost: ~$45–$85/month depending on age (under 39 pays least). Billed in 4-week increments with no long-term commitment.
Covers: Emergency medical, evacuation, limited trip interruption. Adventure activities require their add-on rider.
Note: Medical coverage limit is lower than some competitors ($250,000). Great value for the price on longer stays.
World Nomads
Best for: Adventure travelers and those doing zip-lining, surfing, diving, and other activities.
Cost: $100–$200+ per trip (per-trip pricing, not subscription). Standard and Explorer tiers.
Covers: Their Explorer plan covers an extensive list of adventure sports including surfing, ATV riding, white water rafting, and scuba diving — all standard, no rider needed.
Note: Pricier than SafetyWing but the adventure coverage and clean claims process make it worth it for active trips.
Allianz Travel Insurance
Best for: Comprehensive trip protection with solid cancellation coverage.
Cost: Typically 4–8% of trip cost. AllTrips plans available for frequent travelers.
Covers: Strong trip cancellation/interruption coverage. Medical coverage available but evacuation limits vary by plan. Adventure activities generally excluded — check the fine print.
IMG Global / GeoBlue
Best for: Travelers who want high medical limits and clean international health coverage.
Cost: Varies widely; travel medical-only plans start ~$30–$60/month.
Covers: Excellent medical and evacuation coverage. IMG's iTravelInsured plans include trip cancellation. Popular with expats and longer-term visitors.
Sample Cost Comparison
Example costs for a 2-week trip to Costa Rica for a healthy 35-year-old. Actual quotes will vary.
SafetyWing (2 weeks)
Currency: USDWorld Nomads Standard (2 weeks)
Currency: USDWorld Nomads Explorer (2 weeks)
Currency: USDCredit Card Travel Insurance
Credit Card Insurance Has Major Limitations
Many premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X) offer travel insurance as a perk. However, these policies typically have low medical limits ($10,000–$50,000), may require you to pay the full trip on that card, and often exclude adventure activities and emergency evacuation. Read the coverage guide carefully — they are generally not adequate as standalone coverage for Costa Rica.
Credit card insurance works best as a supplement to a real travel insurance policy, especially for trip cancellation coverage on pre-paid bookings.
Pre-existing Conditions
Pre-existing conditions are handled differently across providers:
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World Nomads: Generally excludes pre-existing conditions unless they are stable (no change in medication or treatment in the past 12–24 months, depending on plan).
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SafetyWing: Covers acute, sudden onset of pre-existing conditions in certain circumstances (e.g., if the condition requires emergency treatment). Chronic ongoing treatment is generally not covered.
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IMG Global / GeoBlue: Some plans offer pre-existing condition waivers if you purchase within 14–21 days of your initial trip deposit. Review each plan carefully.
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If managing a serious or complex medical condition, consult a travel health specialist or insurance broker before your trip. Bring extra medication and written documentation of your condition and treatment plan.
Making a Claim
Document Everything Immediately
The most common reason claims are denied is insufficient documentation. Act immediately when an incident occurs — don't wait until you get home.
For Theft
File a police report (denuncia) at the nearest OIJ (Costa Rica's judicial investigation police) or Fuerza Publica station within 24 hours. Get the written report with a case number. Without this document, your claim will almost certainly be denied. Keep all receipts for anything you need to replace immediately.
For Medical Treatment
Keep all invoices, receipts, and discharge summaries from hospitals and clinics. If possible, call your insurer's 24/7 assistance line before undergoing non-emergency treatment — some plans require pre-authorization. Many Costa Rican private hospitals are familiar with international insurance and can sometimes bill directly.
For Trip Cancellation / Interruption
Keep all confirmation emails, booking receipts, and cancellation policies for flights, hotels, and tours. If canceling due to illness, get a doctor's note. For natural disasters or airline disruptions, keep news articles or airline communications as documentation.
INS — Costa Rica's National Insurer
Mandatory Vehicle Insurance Is Separate
Costa Rica's INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) is the national insurance company and has a monopoly on certain types of insurance in the country. If you rent a car, there is a mandatory Basic Liability Insurance (SLI/TPL) that cannot be waived — it's built into your rental agreement. This is entirely separate from your personal travel insurance policy. You will pay it whether you want to or not. See our rental car guide for details on the full insurance picture for driving in Costa Rica.