Key West is the westernmost island of the Florida Keys, and the southernmost location in the contiguous United States. It provides one of the few opportunities to experience the feel of a Caribbean island, with the convenience of being able to drive there from the US mainland.

Due to its unique tropical feel, convenience and history, Key West is popular tourist destination all year long. If you’re ready to head to the Florida Keys, give this guide a read. It will educate you about the importance of visitors medical insurance or travel insurance, let you know the best things to do in Key West, and equip you with some knowledge so you know what to expect when you go.

Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Key West – FAQs

If you’re traveling to the United States from another country, you probably expect to have access to good doctors and hospitals here. And you would be correct; the US healthcare system is one of the best in the world. However, it is extremely expensive, and visitors do not qualify for free treatment under any circumstances. In order to pay for unexpected medical care that you may need in the US, you must have visitors medical insurance.

Do I need visitors medical insurance for Key West?

It isn’t a legal requirement for visitors to the USA to have insurance. However, you are taking a big financial risk if you choose to go without it. Any illness or injury that requires treatment would be solely your responsibility to pay for if you don’t have visitors medical insurance, and the bill may be larger than what you can bear.

Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Key West?

If you get sick or hurt in while visiting the USA, a visit to the doctor could totally blow your entire vacation budget. And if you require surgery at a hospital, your entire life savings could be gone in a flash. No matter how healthy you think you are or how careful you vow to be, no one is totally immune to sickness and injuries. Is it really worth risking all of your money by not having coverage? It is far better to invest a comparatively small amount in visitors medical insurance. 

Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Key West – FAQs

Maybe you’re planning a trip to Key West because you’ve never been there before, or perhaps you’re traveling there to embark on a Caribbean cruise. Regardless of the reason, there’s always the possibility that you may have to cancel your trip. And if that happens, all of your prepaid expenses could be on the line. Give yourself the opportunity to be reimbursed for these expenses with trip cancellation insurance.

Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Key West travel?

Before traveling to Key West, you’re going to have to pay for a lot of your expenses ahead of time – Airfare, hotel room, cruise ticket, etc. These prepaid expenses are usually nonrefundable, or the refund you can get is sliced to smithereens by big cancellation fees. Therefore, if you have to cancel your trip, you could end up still paying for the majority of it.

Avoid this unenviable situation with trip cancellation insurance. It can reimburse you for the nonrefundable portion of your prepaid travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a reason that’s covered by the policy you’ve purchased.

What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for Key West?

While trip cancellation insurance is extremely important, what about coverage once your trip has begun? Travel insurance can cover you then as well, with benefits including trip interruption coverage, travel delay coverage, emergency medical coverage, and even coverage for lost or delayed baggage. Let travel insurance be your trusted trip companion, protecting your finances from the unexpected, every step of the way.

Key West’s Most Popular Places for Travel

Key West is a very small island – just four miles long and about a mile wide. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to see and do here. Put the following on your itinerary for your Key West trip, and you’re sure to have a great time.

Southernmost Point in the Continental USA

This concrete buoy is said to mark the farthest south you can go and still be within the continental USA. As such, it’s one of the most popular photo spots in all of Key West. At this marker, you’re a mere 90 miles from Cuba. However, the buoy isn’t technically the southernmost point. Whitehead Split on the Truman Annex, which is just west of the buoy, is the official southernmost point. But being as it is on US Navy property, the buoy is the closest that civilians can get.

Hemingway Home and Museum

Famous American author Ernest Hemingway called Key West home in the 1930s, and his former residence may be the most popular tourist stop on the entire key. Constructed in 1851 in the French Colonial style, Hemingway and his wife restored and improved this property throughout their residence there from 1931 to 1939. This home was where Hemingway wrote some of his most famous works, and it was converted to a private museum not long after his death.

Key West Lighthouse

Perhaps the most famous landmark in Key West, the Key West Lighthouse helped keep mariners safe from its construction in 1848 until its decommissioning in 1969. It was actually the second lighthouse constructed on this site. The first, built in 1825, was destroyed by the Great Havana Hurricane of 1846. Today, the lighthouse functions as a museum where visitors can see the lighthouse keeper’s quarters, and even the original Fresnel lens from the Sombrero Key Lighthouse.

Tropical Cocktails

As you can imagine, Key West is packed with unique drinking establishments, each with their own flair and signature drinks. The most popular bar on the key is said to be Sloppy Joe’s; but Green Parrot Bar, Tiki House, and The Rum Bar are popular choices as well. Most of the popular bars on Key West are situated around Duval Street.

Key West Aquarium

Want to see native South Florida wildlife up close? Head to Key West Aquarium; the only public aquarium on the key. Visitors can see marine animals such as sharks, alligators, jellyfish, sea turtles, and other fish. There’s even a touch tank for a true hands-on experience.

Key Guidelines for Travelers in Key West

Key West is a unique destination, so there are some unique guidelines to follow if you’re planning on visiting. Follow these suggestions for the best experience.

Where to Stay

There are two main lodging areas on Key West: New Town and Old Town. Which should you pick? Well, if you want to be close to all the main attractions, choose the Old Town area. Duval Street runs right through Old Town, and it is considered the prime spot for entertainment and excitement on the key. However, Old Town accommodations can be pricey and booked far in advance, so don’t worry about staying in New Town if you don’t mind walking a little. After all, the key is quite small.

When to Visit

Due to its subtropical location, the weather in Key West doesn’t vary by a significant amount, so you can visit any time of year. However, the winter is definitely the busiest season, as Americans from more northerly climates pack the key to escape the cold. Summers can be less crowded, but are hotter and more humid. Fall is the peak of hurricane season, so you have to be on your guard. Knowing all this, spring may be the ideal time to visit Key West.

Getting Around Key West

As Key West is quite small, driving is not necessary – or even suggested – once you get there. It’s easy to rent a bicycle to get around, or just walk. If you’d rather not get so many steps in, the Old Town Trolley Tour will take you to most points of interest around the key.

Getting to Key West

Although some arrive in Key West through its cruise ship port, the most popular method is by driving the 113 miles from mainland Florida (such as Miami) via US Highway 1. But this is far from a boring drive. Most of it is over the ocean, with massive bridges connecting the various keys together. Along the way, you can stop at other famous Florida Keys such as Key Largo, Marathon, and Islamorada. 

The Hurricane Risk

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June to November. And as Key West is so far south, it’s always at risk of being affected by a hurricane or tropical storm that strikes the Caribbean. If you choose to book a trip to Key West during hurricane season, be mindful of the weather forecast, and understand how your insurance coverage works in regards to hurricanes and tropical storms.

• 

  Travel Insurance - Coverage for Hurricane

  Read Article

Before You Travel to Key West – Do This

• Check the weather forecast and have a contingency plan in place if there is the possibility of a hurricane or tropical storm.
• Pack sunscreen. You’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors on Key West, so you need to protect your skin. 
• Get the right insurance. Purchase visitors medical insurance or travel insurance to shield your finances from any unexpected vacation mishaps.

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.

The insurance plans available on this website are not specifically targeted towards the destination mentioned in this article. They can provide coverage while traveling away from home, according to the terms and conditions and geographic restrictions applicable to the specific plan.