If you want to go on a beach vacation, only a few places in the world are as beautiful as Jamaica. The island nation is situated in the Caribbean to the southeast of Florida.

There are popular beach resorts at Montego Bay, Kingston, and Runaway Bay. The island boasts not only breathtaking beaches lined by palm fronds gently swaying in the breeze, but also hiking trails and rainforests.

A trip to Jamaica would surely rejuvenate you, and it is a reasonably short flight from the U.S. mainland. The period between May and October is hurricane season, but Jamaica is far less affected by these ferocious storms than Cuba and Haiti, which are to the north.

If you are traveling to Jamaica, be sure to purchase Jamaica travel insurance. A holiday is meant to be free of stress, and that includes freedom from unnecessary anxiety caused by falling ill in a foreign land.

As travel restrictions around the world put in place following the global coronavirus outbreak begin to solidify, we present to you the policy from Jamaica.

Visiting Jamaica – Is It Safe?

The excellent news is Jamaica is open for business. The region didn’t show the kind of virulent outbreak observed in the U.S. or Brazil, and travel to Jamaica is considered safe.

The nation has implemented a safe corridor policy that requires all tourists to stay in hotels and resorts and refrain from wandering around the countryside as they please. Since most people visit Jamaica for sunbathing, this is not a huge disadvantage.

1. COVID-19 Tests

   In the time of a global pandemic, it is natural that any country would ask for pathological tests to make sure a visitor is free from infections. In keeping with WHO guidelines, beginning in July 2020, all tourists to Jamaica have to provide a negative COVID-19 test report when they visit the island. It has to be a PCR test from an accredited laboratory, and the test can be no more than ten days old upon arrival.

   Note: For the latest information, check official advice from the tourism offices of both your local government and Jamaica.

2. Arrival Screening

   All tourists face a thermal screening at the airport in Kingston. A public health officer will assess your physical condition and determine if you have any symptoms such as a cough. We recommend self-assessing these conditions at home before boarding the flight to save yourself considerable time and expense.

3. Insurance

   Purchasing insurance coverage for your Jamaica vacation was an outstanding idea before coronavirus, but now it is essential. Due to COVID-19, all those traveling to Jamaica are required to enroll in the "Jamaica Cares" program to cover medical expenses related to COVID-19. This is mandatory coverage that provides travel medical insurance coverage up to $100,000 per person, and on-island health coverage up to $50,000. But if you do need treatment for a broken ankle or dengue fever, it is best to have the additional financial safety net in place that is travel insurance. If you fall ill, travel insurance will allow you to receive the best possible treatment.

   Further, you can engage in activities like kite surfing and sailing without any worry of the financial consequences of an accident. In Jamaica, there are 24 public hospitals, ten private hospitals, and no dearth of good physicians.

   It is preferable to seek private healthcare facilities, and being backed up by travel insurance helps.

Jamaica – Best Places to Visit

1. Luminous Lagoon

   Located in Falmouth near the mouth of Martha Brae River, it is just an ordinary cove by day. But come nightfall, the water shimmers as if by magic.

   The phenomenon happens due to phosphorescent microorganisms that glow in the dark. It is a truly magical sight, and a must-see experience if you like witnessing nature's wonders.

2. Bob Marley Museum

   If you are a fan of reggae music, then a visit to the museum dedicated to Bob Marley at Hope Road in Kingston has to be on the cards. The building was previously the office of a record label company that signed him on, but it now displays show memorabilia and knick-knacks from his life, including his clothes, shoes, and guitars.

3. Fort Charles

   Built by the British in the mid-17th century, the fort is located at Port Royal. The structure of the port resembles a massive ship, and the brick and stone architecture is very well preserved. There are numerous old cannons on display, as well as spectacular scenery of the sea.

Risks of Travel to Jamaica

When you visit Jamaica, you need to be aware of the risks involved. It is a safe nation, and the rate of crime is quite low. Being an international tourist destination, it is also clean and hygienic. Of course, you must purchase travel issuance to stay on the safe side. At the end of the day, it is all about peace of mind and knowing that a trip to paradise won’t turn into a nightmare.

1. Unforeseen Medical Expenses

   Jamaica is a tropical country, and therefore, malaria is common. Other tropical diseases such as typhoid and dengue are prevalent, too. However, the government has worked hard to keep outbreaks under control, and you can expect your trip to be safe. Despite its good health record, you should be prepared for any emergency with a travel insurance plan. Treatment at private hospitals can become quite expensive. You might also need emergency medical evacuation or, if worse comes to worst, repatriation.

2. Personal Liability

   Someone might lose something valuable or be hurt due to a mistake you make. It could be as simple as a frisbee knocking a passerby out cold. That is a nightmare to deal with during a holiday. Many travel medical insurance policies offer personal liability coverage that allows you to pay for such damages without worry.

3. Flight Delays and Layovers

   These kinds of delays are unfortunate, but they happen more than we would like. If a flight is canceled, you would be put on the next one, but it is a financial loss to you since you have to pay for a night at a hotel. Travel insurance pays for your expenses in such situations.

Jamaica Travel Insurance – Look Before You Purchase

Before you buy Jamaica travel insurance policy, make sure that it covers the essentials.

Preferably, you should have a cashless policy. This frees you from the responsibility of paying upfront and seeking reimbursement from your insurance company. The policy must cover you in nearly any emergency, from food poisoning to a ruptured appendix and everything in between.

Coverage for Lost Luggage

Lost luggage is the bane of mass tourism. Bags tend to get misplaced at airports, and it is a severe inconvenience to be left without your shoes, shaving kit, international driver's license, and everything else.

Compare the plans of different providers and select the one that best fits your needs. Buy Jamaica travel insurance that ensures that you can travel without any unnecessary mental fatigue and enjoy your vacation worry-free.

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.