We analyzed 13 travel insurance companies for trips to Latin America and the Caribbean. Tin Leg Basic costs $43 for a one-week trip with $2,500 in coverage. Six companies excel for Latin America and Caribbean travel, offering strong coverage, competitive pricing, and reliable claims handling.
Best Travel Insurance for Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and Caribbean travel insurance starts at $43 for basic coverage. World Nomads leads with adventure sports protection, while Generali offers comprehensive hurricane coverage for the region.
Find the best travel insurance for your Latin America or Caribbean trip below.
Updated: January 5, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
World Nomads ranks #1 with 150+ adventure activities covered automatically, necessary for Costa Rica zip-lining, Belize diving, and Caribbean water sports.
Hurricane coverage requires early purchase before storms are named (June through November season). Caribbean destinations cost 10-15% less than the mainland due to shorter evacuation distances.
You need medical evacuation coverage for remote areas. Minimum recommended: $250,000 for Latin America, $100,000 for Caribbean islands.
Best Travel Insurance Companies for Latin America and the Caribbean
1 | World Nomads | 93 | Adventure travelers | $105 |
2 | Generali | 92 | Comprehensive coverage | $71 |
3 | IMG | 91 | Budget-conscious travelers | $76 |
3 | Travel Guard | 91 | Premium protection | $103 |
3 | Travel Insured | 91 | Value seekers | $81 |
5 | BHTP | 90 | Medical coverage | $69 |
Best Overall
World Nomads
MoneyGeek Score: 93/100
World Nomads ranks first with adventure sports coverage necessary for Latin America and the Caribbean, where adventure tourism drives most travel insurance claims. The region's activities, like zip-lining in Costa Rica, diving in Belize, and surfing in the Caribbean, require coverage most standard plans exclude.
Key Coverage:
- Explorer plan: $175 for one week
- Medical: $150,000 | Evacuation: $500,000
- 150+ activities covered: zip-lining, scuba diving, surfing, ATV tours
- Buy or extend coverage after departure
- Epic plan upgrades: $250,000 medical | $700,000 evacuation
Best for Budget Travelers
Tin Leg
MoneyGeek Score: 81/100
Tin Leg Basic protects against major losses at the region's lowest price. Caribbean resort destinations with nearby medical facilities make the lower evacuation limits workable for travelers staying in established tourist areas.
Key Coverage:
- Cost: $43 for one-week trip ($2,500 coverage)
- Medical: $10,000 | Evacuation: $50,000
- Trip cancellation: 100% of costs
- Baggage: $500 | Baggage delay: $200 (after 12 hours)
- Best for resort stays and organized tours
- Adventure sports excluded
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Generali Global Assistance
MoneyGeek Score: 90/100
Generali Premium offers comprehensive protection with early-purchase benefits important for Caribbean travel. Pre-storm hurricane coverage protects bookings during June through November when 90% of Atlantic hurricanes form.
Key Coverage:
- Cost: $104 for one-week trip
- Medical: $100,000 | Evacuation: $500,000
- Pre-existing conditions covered (buy within 24 hours of initial deposit)
- Hurricane coverage activates before storms are named
- Trip interruption: 150% of costs
- Cancel for Any Reason: 75% reimbursement
- AM Best A rating
Best for Adventure Activities
BHTP
MoneyGeek Score: 90/100
BHTP AdrenalineCare automatically covers extreme sports common in Latin America and the Caribbean. Costa Rica and Belize rank among the top adventure tourism destinations globally, with activities that standard travel insurance excludes.
Key Coverage:
- Cost: $125 for one-week trip
- Medical: $50,000 | Evacuation: $750,000
- Automatic coverage: white-water rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, kitesurfing
- Sporting equipment: $500 with delay protection (after 6 hours)
- Trip interruption: 150% of costs
- Pre-existing conditions covered (buy within 15 days of initial deposit)
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Latin America and the Caribbean?
Cost factors for Latin America and Caribbean travel insurance:
- Base pricing: $43 to $125 for a 30-year-old on a one-week trip ($2,500 coverage)
- Coverage scaling: $96 to $528 for $10,000 trip coverage
- Regional difference: Caribbean costs 10-15% less than mainland due to shorter evacuation distances
- Age impact: Travelers over 65 pay 40-60% more
- Hurricane timing: Buy early for pre-storm coverage (June through November season doesn't affect base price)
Compare rates from multiple providers to find the cheapest travel insurance for your specific needs.
Tin Leg | Basic | $43 | $61 | $96 |
Travelex | Essential | $62 | $202 | $481 |
World Trips | Escape | $64 | $143 | $300 |
BHTP | ExactCare Value | $69 | $151 | $316 |
Generali | Standard | $71 | $136 | $265 |
IMG | Lite | $76 | $162 | $333 |
Travel Insured | Essential | $81 | $143 | $268 |
World Nomads | Standard | $105 | $105 | $105 |
World Nomads uses flat-rate pricing regardless of trip cost, benefiting travelers with expensive trips but costing more for budget travel.
What Affects Your Cost?
Age | 40-60% increase after 65 | 30-year-old: $76 / 65-year-old: $122 |
Trip Length | $10 per additional day | 7 days: $76 / 14 days: $105 |
Destination | Caribbean 10-15% lower | Caribbean: $69 / Brazil: $79 |
Coverage Level | Doubles from basic to high | $2,500 trip: $43 / $10,000 trip: $96 |
Adventure Activities | $20-50 addon or included | Standard + rider: $96 / Adventure plan: $105 |
Hurricane Season | No base price change | Buy early for pre-storm coverage |
What Does Travel Insurance for Latin America and the Caribbean Cover?
Emergency Medical
Plans range from $10,000 to $250,000. Major cities (Mexico City, San José, Cartagena, Santo Domingo) have modern hospitals meeting U.S. standards. Rural areas have limited facilities. Evacuation coverage ($50,000 to $1,000,000) transports you to adequate care. Remote locations require air evacuation costing $25,000 to $50,000.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Cancellation reimburses non-refundable costs if you can't travel due to illness, injury, death of a family member, or natural disasters. Interruption covers unused portions and return transportation. Most plans cover 100% for cancellation and 150% for interruption.
Hurricane and Weather
Hurricane season runs June through November in the Caribbean, when 90% of Atlantic hurricanes form. Coverage applies when hurricanes force evacuations or close airports. Must purchase before storm is named. September sees peak activity affecting Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Bahamas. Some plans cover weather delays without named storms.
Baggage Loss and Delay
Coverage reimburses lost, stolen, or damaged items ($500 to $3,000 limits). Delay coverage provides funds for essentials after 12 to 24 hours ($200 to $500).
Adventure Sports
Standard policies exclude zip-lining, scuba diving, white-water rafting, and surfing, or activities accounting for most regional claims. World Nomads, BHTP, and Tin Leg adventure plans cover 150+ sports automatically. Regular policies require $20 to $50 add-ons. Popular excluded activities: Monteverde zip-lining, Great Blue Hole diving, Pacuare River rafting, jungle ATV tours.
Travel Delays and Missed Connections
Delay coverage pays for meals and accommodation after 6 to 12-hour flight delays ($500 to $2,000 limits). Missed connection coverage reimburses costs after 3-hour delays.
How to Get the Best Latin America and Caribbean Travel Insurance
- 1Match coverage to your destination and activities.
Resort travelers in Cancún need basic plans with lower medical limits. Remote destinations require higher evacuation limits. Adventure activities need specialized plans or those including them automatically.
- 2Buy within 14-21 days of your initial trip payment.
Pre-existing condition waivers, Cancel for Any Reason coverage, and financial default protection require purchase within 14 to 21 days of your first deposit. Some insurers have shorter windows (Generali requires 24 hours).
- 3Verify medical evacuation limits.
Medical evacuation from remote areas costs $50,000 to $100,000. Minimum recommended: $250,000 for Latin America and $100,000 for the Caribbean.
- 4Check hurricane coverage details.
Some plans require named storms before coverage activates. Better policies cover weather disruptions without storm names. Must purchase before a storm is named in your travel area.
Travel Insurance for Specific Destinations
Coverage needs vary by medical infrastructure quality, adventure activities, and seasonal weather. Island destinations face different risks than mainland locations.
Costa Rica | Adventure travelers need coverage for zip-lining, surfing, white-water rafting, and volcano hikes. World Nomads and BHTP cover 150+ activities automatically. San José has U.S.-standard medical facilities but rural areas have limited care. Minimum recommended: $250,000 evacuation. |
Colombia | Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena have modern hospitals while rural areas lack advanced facilities. Recommended: $100,000 medical and $250,000 evacuation. Some insurers require security evacuation for certain regions. |
Belize | Scuba diving requires specialized coverage from World Nomads or BHTP adventure plans. Medical facilities limited outside Belize City. U.S. evacuation costs $25,000 to $50,000. Hurricane season runs June through November. |
Dominican Republic and Jamaica | Basic plans work for resort-based trips with nearby medical facilities. Hurricane coverage important June through November. Excursions like zip-lining and ATV tours need adventure coverage. |
The Caribbean | Hurricane coverage important June through November. Ferry delays covered under trip delay benefits. Medical evacuation to Puerto Rico or Florida costs less than mainland evacuations. Plans range from $43 (basic) to $125 (comprehensive) for one-week trips. |
Latin America and Caribbean Travel Insurance: FAQs
Can I buy travel insurance after booking my trip to Latin America?
Yes, but buying within 14 to 21 days of your initial payment unlocks pre-existing condition waivers, financial default coverage, and Cancel for Any Reason options.
Does my credit card travel insurance cover trips to the Caribbean?
Most credit cards offer limited coverage (trip delay, lost baggage, rental car damage). Medical coverage and evacuation are often excluded or capped at $10,000. Credit cards don't cover pre-existing conditions, adventure sports, or Cancel for Any Reason.
Are adventure sports like zip-lining covered without additional riders?
Standard insurance excludes most adventure sports. World Nomads, BHTP AdrenalineCare, and Tin Leg Adventure include 150+ activities automatically. Other insurers charge $20 to $50 per trip for adventure riders.
What happens if I need to extend my trip due to a medical emergency?
Trip interruption coverage extends to medical emergencies. Insurance covers additional accommodation and rescheduled flights for 7 to 14 days beyond your original return with medical documentation.
Does travel insurance cover flight cancellations by the airline?
No, airlines are responsible for ticket reimbursements. Insurance covers additional expenses (hotel, meals, rebooking fees). Trip delay coverage activates after 6 to 12 hours, paying $150 to $200 per day.
How We Chose the Best Latin America and Caribbean Travel Insurance
MoneyGeek analyzed 13 travel insurance companies for Latin America and the Caribbean. We evaluated each plan across four weighted categories:
Cost (40%): Average premiums for $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000 coverage levels (30-year-old, one-week trip). Lower costs rank higher.
Coverage (30%): Seven metrics evaluated:
- Trip cancellation limits (25% weight)
- Trip interruption (15%)
- Emergency medical (20%)
- Emergency evacuation (20%)
- Baggage loss (10%)
- Trip delay (5%)
- Baggage delay (5%)
Claims and Service (25%): 24/7 availability, support channels (phone, email, chat, mobile app), claim filing process, and iOS/Android app ratings.
Financial Stability (5%): AM Best ratings (A+ = 100 points, A to A- = 95 points).
Company scores represent the average of all plan scores within each category, weighted according to the percentages above.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.