Alaska’s capital city may not be as large as Anchorage, but Juneau more than makes up for its small size with abundant natural beauty and tourist attractions. Situated far up in the Pacific Northwest, Juneau is an Alaskan cruise ship hub and the perfect basecamp for exploring the wild backcountry of America’s largest state.
If you’re ready to explore Juneau, make sure you’re prepared. Shop for visitors medical insurance or travel insurance before you go, and enjoy your trip with total peace of mind.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers visiting Juneau – FAQs
If you’re visiting the United States from another country, it is essential to have health insurance that can cover you during your trip. To protect your health and your finances from potential issues, purchase visitors medical insurance.
Do I need visitors medical insurance for Juneau?
It isn’t a legal requirement for tourists, but you should consider it a must-have. Consider the prospect of getting sick or hurt in Juneau. The hospitals here are extremely expensive, and you may not be able to afford treatment without visitors medical insurance. Furthermore, injury in the backcountry could require emergency medical evacuation that costs more than your life savings. Don’t risk your financial wellbeing. Get visitors medical insurance to protect you.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before visiting Juneau?
No one in the US can afford to go without health insurance; citizens or visitors. The difference is, unlike a US citizen, you cannot be covered by a domestic major health insurance plan here. Visitors medical insurance is the only option for foreign visitors to get necessary medical care for a price they can manage.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers visiting Juneau – FAQs
If you have to cancel your trip to Juneau, you could be out a lot of money. To protect that investment, trip cancellation insurance is essential.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance before traveling to Juneau?
An unplanned trip cancellation due to a health or family emergency, natural disaster, or other reason can put you in a bind. Your major prepaid travel expenses like airfare, cruise tickets, and hotels are typically nonrefundable, leaving you paying for a trip you can’t go on.
Trip cancellation insurance can help by allowing you to be reimbursed for you prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you’re forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason.
What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for Juneau?
In addition to trip cancellation coverage, a travel insurance plan can help in many other ways. If your trip must be interrupted or is delayed, travel insurance can cover it. It can also reimburse you for additional expenses you incur due to lost or delayed baggage. It can even provide emergency medical coverage.
The exact coverage offered by travel insurance will depend on the specific plan you choose, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase.
Juneau’s Most Popular Activities
Nestled in the Gastineau Channel, Juneau is a popular tourist destination for good reason, with a variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. We suggest adding some of the following to your itinerary.
Visit the Mendenhall Glacier
One of Juneau’s most popular attractions, the Mendenhall Glacier is stunningly beautiful and easy to access from the city. You can view the glacier from the Mendenhall Lake Overlook, or take one of a variety of guided tours including hiking tours, glacier kayaking tours, and even helicopter tours for a bird’s eye view of this natural phenomenon.
Go Whale Watching
Humpback whales, gray whales, and orcas call the waters around Juneau home. Taking a tour to see these magnificent creatures is a must for all visitors to Juneau. You can choose from short boat tours of just a few hours all the way to full-day tours that also include meals and other activities such as hiking and visiting glaciers.
Ride the Goldbelt Tram
Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram will transport you more than 1,800 feet above the city and rainforest to alpine meadows and fantastic views. Once at the top, you’ll be able to gaze out towards Stephens Passage and the Chilkat Mountains, and see all manner of Alaskan wildlife from the well-marked trails. There’s even a bar and grill at the top where you can enjoy a hearty meal and a beverage.
See the Alaska State Museum
If you’re curious about the history of Alaska, head to the State Museum in downtown Juneau. Here you can view exhibits detailing the native people of Alaska, the region’s Russian history, and the gold rush that led to development of the region. There’s also a large exhibit focusing on the Mendenhall Glacier.
Go to Tracy Arm Fjord
Located about 50 miles from Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord is packed with wildlife including whales, sea lions, and bald eagles. A boat tour is the perfect way to see it all. You can choose either a day trip to the fjord and back, or an overnight excursion where you sleep aboard the ship or ashore in a cabin.
Key Guidelines for Visitors to Juneau
What Weather to Expect
Though you might think of Alaska as a frozen tundra, Juneau is actually in a rainforest with cool summers and cold and snowy winters. Clouds and rain are the norm here, so any packing list should include waterproof footwear and outerwear, as well as an umbrella. Leave your shorts at home, as summer days are rarely warm enough to warrant them here.
Respect the Wildlife
Alaska is still very much a wild state, and is home to fascinating – and potentially dangerous – wildlife. Bears, moose, and wolves can all pose dangers to careless visitors. If you see one, do not approach it. Instead, back away slowly and make noise to alert the animal to your presence. Unprovoked attacks are rare, so visitors can usually stay safe by following the advice of local guides and leaving wildlife alone.
Leave No Trace
Juneau is a beautiful place, so do your part to keep it that way. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or just walking through the city, never litter. Pack out all of your trash and respect the natural environment. Even if you’ve spent a night camping in a place, it should appear that you’ve never been there once you pack up in the morning.
Before You Visit Juneau – Do This
- Pack insect repellent – The mosquitoes in Alaska can be very intense in the summer.
- Bring along sunscreen and a hat to wear outdoors, even on cool and/or cloudy days.
- Purchase visitors medical insurance or travel insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones.