Life Guard in Costa Rica

Some may say surf trip insurance is a boring topic. It is definitely an overlooked one in our opinion since we all hope everything goes according to plan and nothing bad happens during our tropical vacation. However, travel insurance is a thing you should know about. Especially when practicing an extreme sport where cuts, bruises, and minor injuries happen more often than not.

Why is it important to be covered by insurance while traveling?

We recommend you are covered by a reputable international health/travel insurance for your surf trip. Especially if you are heading to exotic places such as Bali and Sri Lanka in Indonesia and Costa Rica and Nicaragua in Central America. Prior to leaving your home country check what your health insurance covers if an emergency arises abroad. Also, check if any travel expenses are covered by your credit cards. Things like lost luggage, travel delays, rental car insurance, etc. Then decide on what additional coverage you may need.

If you are traveling to exotic destinations or practicing extreme sports and any outdoor activities, getting hurt is only a matter of time and chance. When surfing, skiing, snowboarding, white water rafting, dirt biking, scuba diving, mountain climbing, etc. So, we recommend World Nomads as a travel/health insurance provider. Based on our own experience as well as client reviews, we’ve found World Nomads the best. Also, it’s the easiest company to use as well as the one providing the most comprehensive package for your travels and flight delays. Also for lost luggage, theft, and any other obstacles you may meet on the road. They have the regular and the adventure level of coverage with only a few EUR differences so you get to decide what you need based on your activities, destination, and plans.

Other things a Travel Insurance might be important for

In terms of vaccines, if you have followed European or US/Canadian vaccination guidelines, you do not need any additional for Bali, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. However, if you are heading deep into the jungle in Indonesia or Central America and exploring far beyond our surf camps, you may want to take precautions and check with your doctor about additional recommended vaccines.

In terms of money and local currency, you can use your credit card or withdraw cash from an ATM (in local currency or dollars) in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Bali. Not all small local places accept cards. So have $20 in cash with you at all times. So you will be able to buy a bottle of water or a snack on the beach. Visa fees are minimal if any for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Bali. However, do have some cash to pay those too if the ATM is not working that very moment.

In terms of rental car insurance, your own car insurance usually covers rental vehicles in your home country. IF ABROAD most definitely buys at least their basic coverage. You can also check with your car insurance if any international accidents will be covered. Ask them to send you a certificate of coverage (rental car companies won’t waive basic coverage without that certificate). Some credit cards feature free car rental insurance. If you paid for it with a credit card it comes with free travel insurance in case of lost luggage/theft. Again check with the credit card company before departure. If the rental car insurance was covered at your destination have them send you a copy of the policy so you can save yourself some money.

Simple & Flexible. Get a quote for your travel insurance with World Nomads now!