Antigua and Barbuda make up a twin-island nation in the Caribbean Sea. The country is a perfect example of how contrasting paces of life can coexist. Antigua is famous for the thrilling and exciting attractions it offers to tourists, and Barbuda is where you'll find a slower, more peaceful atmosphere.

Both islands have an abundance of beaches and beautiful sights to behold. Often called the "Land of 365 Beaches", there is something here for all water-lovers. You can stroll on the sand, go diving and snorkeling, and also get a good tan.

The islands welcome tourists from all around the world, but with stringent regulations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Travel regulations and the heightened need for safety have made proper Antigua and Barbuda travel insurance a necessity.

Antigua and Barbuda Travel: What Is Required?

Tourists arriving in Antigua and Barbuda are required to present verifiable documentation of full COVID-19 vaccination with a WHO or Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHWE) approved vaccine in order to be allowed entry. So long as they are not showing symptoms of COVID-19 infection, fully vaccinated passengers are not required to present a COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test to enter or transit through Antigua and Barbuda.

If a passenger does show symptoms of infection, they may be required to submit an RT-PCR test upon arrival at their own expense. Port Health officials will provide further guidance on the permissible activities for these individuals while awaiting test results.

If a passenger tests positive for COVID-19, they may be asked to quarantine at a government facility for a cost not exceeding EC$82.00 per night.

Children under 18 years of age are exempt from the vaccination requirement. However, arriving children between the ages of five and 18 who are unvaccinated must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test dated no more than four days prior to arrival. Unvaccinated minors who are not staying at a certified resort or accommodation may be required to quarantine at home for 10 to 14 days.

Though Antigua and Barbuda travel medical insurance is optional, it is always a good idea to make provisions for your financial safety when you're traveling abroad. Even if you don't test positive, you will have the pay for the preliminary tests. In the unfortunate event that you test positive, you would have to pay for all treatment costs out of pocket.

The regulations outline that you would not be allowed to take a flight back home. This means that your domestic insurance plan would not cover any expenses. If you have to be repatriated due to specific conditions or there is a need for medical evacuation, you would have to bear those costs, too.

To make sure that these medical expenses don't empty your bank account, a proper travel insurance policy is a must. A travel insurance plan that covers coronavirus would be even better, depending on your policy provider.

However, before you buy the first travel medical insurance plan that you come across, consider your options. For comprehensive coverage, your Antigua and Barbuda insurance for travelers should include benefits other than emergency medical care. To better decide what kind of coverage you need and which Antigua and Barbuda travel insurance is the best for you, analyze the risks first.

You can create an itinerary for your stay in the island nation. Based on what activities you plan to indulge in and what areas you decide to travel to, you can identify potential risks and find the most suitable policy.

To help you make an itinerary that includes the best experiences, here we mention the top things to do when in Antigua and Barbuda.

Top Things to Include in Your Antigua and Barbuda Itinerary

The irresistible twins, Antigua and Barbuda, are Caribbean beauties. They have enough coastline and sand for all your beachside enjoyment needs. Now, you obviously cannot visit every beach—there are too many of them to even count. But here are the top attractions that deserve a place in your itinerary:

• Visit the Nelson Dockyard for your dose of history and heritage.
• Visit Stingray City and do just what the name suggests: Swim and snorkel with stingrays.
• Ever heard of the green flash sunsets? See them from the Shirley Heights Lookout. Don't forget to take in mesmerizing views of the Caribbean and the English harbor.
• Given that Antigua and Barbuda have a reputation as the mecca of sailing, don't miss out on an opportunity to set sail. Charter a yacht for a short trip (or a long one) and bring out the sailor in you.
• Hike to the Rendezvous Bay. It would take you a good 30 minutes to hike to this mesmerizing place. Also, the hike isn't exactly the easiest. But once you are there, it will all be worth it.

Traveling to Antigua and Barbuda is all fun and games until you face an unfortunate circumstance. To be better prepared to mitigate the financial losses, find Antigua and Barbuda travel insurance coverage that includes all risks.

What Risks Should Travel Insurance Cover?

What insurance policy you chose entirely depends on your risk-taking capacity. The most important risks that your travel insurance for Antigua and Barbuda should cover are as follows:

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Be sure that your travel insurance for tourists in Antigua and Barbuda has coverage for emergency medical care. Diseases like Dengue, Zika virus, and Chikungunya are common in these Caribbean islands.

Adventures and Accidents

While you are hiking, near the sea, or even in the sea, accidents can happen. Ensure that your policy covers accidents related to adventure activities.

Normal accidents like road accidents and slip-and-fall should also be covered.

Other than that, make sure you're covered for the following common travel mishaps:

• Flight or transit delays
• Cancellations
• Lost baggage
• Thefts
• Natural disaster coverage, especially for hurricanes

Buying Antigua and Barbuda Travel Insurance

When traveling to Antigua and Barbuda, you should buy travel insurance for complete peace of mind.

The best way to buy a policy is to compare different policies, premiums, and coverage. Then find the one that offers the best coverage, and enjoy the peace of mind that help is at hand during inadvertent circumstances.

Make your trip to Antigua and Barbuda memorable in the right way with the right travel insurance.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.