Aruba Travel Insurance Requirements

Key Takeaways

• Our analysis shows that Travel Insured International, IMG, and Tin Leg offer the best travel insurance for Aruba.
• Standard travel insurance policies may not cover water activities like jet skiing, snorkeling, or windsurfing without activity upgrades.
• If visiting Aruba on a cruise, consider cruise-specific benefits like missed port protection and medical care at sea.
• Medical Evacuation coverage is strongly advised for beach excursions and off-the-grid adventures. Medical-only coverage is budget-friendly, averaging around $8.69 per day.
• Try our online travel insurance quote tool to compare plans and prices from over 20 providers, or speak to an advisor toll-free at 800-240-0369.

Our Top Recommended Aruba Travel Insurance Plans

• Travel Insured International – FlexiPAX is excellent for tropical vacations and cruises because it offers adjustable protection with high medical coverage and flexible options like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR).
• IMG – iTravelInsured Choice is a comprehensive plan that covers Trip Cancellation, Interruption, Emergency Medical, and Evacuation. It is ideal for families, couples, and groups on vacation to beaches or all-inclusive resorts with multiple excursions.
• Tin Leg – Gold provides up to $500,000 in Emergency Medical Evacuation and $100,000 in Medical Coverage, with 250+ covered activities like scuba diving and sailing, making it ideal for active beach vacations and cruise travelers.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Aruba?

Aruba doesn’t require travel insurance for entry, but a policy is recommended. As a popular destination for cruises, beach vacations, and water sports, it presents several financial and medical risks. Additionally, U.S. health insurance isn’t accepted there, so paying out of pocket may be the only option in the event of an emergency or injury. Travel insurance offers the financial protection needed for medical care while traveling by providing thousands in coverage benefits for medical care, emergency evacuation, or unexpected cancellations.

Reasons You May Need Travel Insurance for Aruba

Water Activities and Excursions

From windsurfing to snorkeling at Baby Beach, accidents during adventure activities can lead to costly bills, all out of pocket.

✅ Choose a plan with Adventure Sports coverage for high-risk activities commonly excluded from standard travel insurance plans. It can cover the unique risks associated with adventurous activities and sports, protecting against parasailing, jet skiing, or sailing accidents, among others.

Cruise Port Delays or Cancellations

Aruba is a significant port for Southern Caribbean cruises. However, weather, mechanical problems, or health issues may lead to missed excursions or port cancellations.

✅ Cruise insurance benefits can reimburse prepaid excursions and offer shipboard medical care and missed ports coverage.

Medical Emergencies Abroad

Aruba offers quality care; however, most providers require upfront payment, and U.S.-based health plans (including Medicare) do not cover international care.

✅ Look for at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical and $250,000 in Medical Evacuation benefits.

Unexpected Cancellations

Unexpected weather, family matters, or health issues can throw a wrench in even the most exciting Caribbean vacations.

✅ Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits safeguard prepaid travel expenses such as flights, resorts, and excursions.

More Details on the Best Travel Insurance for Aruba

Travel Insured International

• Recommended Plan: FlexiPAX
• Emergency Medical: $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Flexible benefit add-ons, including Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption for any reason, plus customizable medical benefits

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IMG

• Recommended Plan: iTravelInsured Choice
• Emergency Medical: $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Cruise compatible, making it practical and reliable for port changes, ship delays, and missed excursions

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Tin Leg

• Recommended Plan: Gold
• Emergency Medical: $500,000
• Medical Evacuation: $500,000
• Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
• Covers over 250+ sports and activities, including windsurfing, boating, and hiking

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How Much Does Aruba Travel Insurance Cost?

According to Squaremouth data, travelers heading to Aruba spend an average of $231.61 on comprehensive travel insurance for a 9-day trip, which is about $25.73 per day. These adventurous travelers usually insure trips costing around $3,701.64. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option focused primarily on health needs while traveling, a medical-only policy averages $78.23, or roughly $8.69 per day.

What Travel Coverage Do You Need for Aruba?

Whether you’re heading to Aruba for a romantic escape, a family beach holiday, or a stop on a Southern Caribbean cruise, having the right travel insurance can shield you from unforeseen events. While Aruba is often regarded as one of the safest Caribbean locales, that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t face any interruptions.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Flight delays, hurricanes, or family emergencies can force you to cancel or cut your trip short. However, trip cancellation and interruption insurance reimburses your prepaid, non-refundable costs. This coverage benefit is ideal for travelers booking expensive all-inclusive stays or cruises with tight schedules.

✅ Look for plans that reimburse 100% of your trip cost for cancellations and 150% for mid-trip interruptions, like our recommended plans for Aruba.

Travel medical coverage

U.S. health insurance generally doesn’t cover international care, and Aruba’s private medical facilities often require upfront payment. A fall while hiking, a sting while snorkeling, or a viral illness could mean costly treatment abroad.

✅ We recommend a minimum of $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage to handle hospital stays, doctor visits, and urgent care needs.

Medical Evacuation coverage

While Aruba boasts trustworthy medical care in places like Oranjestad, severe injuries or illnesses might require you to get to a more advanced facility. Evacuating can save tens of thousands of dollars, particularly from a cruise ship or a secluded beach.

✅ Choose a plan with at least $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage for comprehensive protection.

Insurance for baggage and personal items

Basic travel insurance might fall short when Aruba is included in a cruise itinerary. Policies tailored for cruises cover missed ports due to weather conditions or mechanical issues, changes to the planned itinerary, or medical emergencies on board. Additionally, they may offer reimbursement for prepaid excursions you miss if your ship is redirected.

✅ Choose a plan with missed port protection, Travel Delay benefits, and onboard emergency care.

Sports and Activities Coverage

Snorkeling, kiteboarding, and ATV tours are popular in Aruba; however, many are considered high-risk and excluded from standard policies. Ensure you have coverage if you plan to engage in water or off-road activities.

✅ Select a plan with Adventure Sports coverage or activity-specific add-ons to avoid surprise exclusions.

Cruise-specific benefits

As a popular cruise port, preparing for any potential risk that standard policies may not cover is smart. Cruise benefits include unique activities like missed ports, itinerary changes, and shipboard emergencies. Here are some key items to look for when evaluating policies:

• Missed Port Protection reimburses non-refundable shore excursions or activities if your ship skips a scheduled port, such as Aruba, due to weather, mechanical issues, or a change in route. This is particularly beneficial if you’ve booked tours with local vendors rather than through the cruise line.
• Trip Delay Due to Ship Breakdown covers expenses such as hotels, meals, or rebooking flights if mechanical breakdowns or docking delays disrupt your cruise schedule or cause a late return.
• Missed Connection Coverage offers reimbursement if you miss your cruise departure due to a flight delay or other covered incidents. It ensures you are compensated for expenses incurred to catch up with your ship or rejoin the itinerary.
• Shipboard Medical Coverage covers medical emergencies on board, including falls, illnesses, or accidents at sea, where medical care may be expensive and limited.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation from the Ship: If you face a serious medical emergency at sea or in a remote port, this benefit covers the costs for an emergency airlift, transfer to the nearest suitable medical facility, or potentially back to the U.S. if needed.
• Prepaid Excursion Reimbursement reimburses non-refundable costs if you cannot attend a shore excursion in Aruba due to illness, travel delays, or missed connections.

What Isn’t Covered by Aruba Travel Insurance Plans?

Even the most comprehensive travel insurance plans come with exclusions. That’s why it’s critical to understand what’s covered and what isn’t to avoid potential denied claims, out-of-pocket costs, or unnecessary stress on your trip. Check out our list:

High-Risk Activities Without Proper Add-Ons

Snorkeling in the Antilla Shipwreck, windsurfing at Palm Beach, or riding ATVs through Arikok National Park are popular in Aruba, but many insurers consider these high-risk. Your claim could be denied if you’re injured while participating in an excluded activity.

✅ To stay protected, choose a plan that includes or offers an Adventure Sports rider. Medical care, evacuation, or trip interruption related to these activities may not be covered without it.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Without a Waiver

Suppose you have conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease that flare up while abroad, especially under stress from travel or heat. In that case, they won’t be covered unless your plan includes a pre-existing condition waiver.

✅ To qualify, purchase your policy shortly after your first trip payment, usually within 14 to 21 days. Our recommended plans, IMG iTravelInsured Choice or Tin Leg Gold, offer this benefit.

Accidents Involving Alcohol or Drugs

Sipping a cocktail on Eagle Beach or enjoying a local beer at a beach bar is part of the Aruban experience. However, if you’re injured while under the influence, many insurers may deny coverage.

✅ The majority of travel insurance policies do not cover incidents related to alcohol or drugs, which encompass medical treatment, evacuation, and liability claims.

Weather-Related Events

Aruba isn’t close enough to the central Atlantic hurricane belt, but tropical storms can still affect flights or cruise schedules. Insurers won’t cover disruptions if you bought your policy after the storm was predicted or named.

✅ Purchase your plan early, ideally right after your first trip deposit, to ensure valid weather-related coverage.

Tips for Finding the Best Travel Insurance for Aruba

Use a Comparison Tool

Aruba attracts visitors with serene resort experiences, exciting adventures, and cruise trips. Whether relaxing at a beach club, snorkeling in the sea, or navigating desert paths on a UTV, utilize a travel insurance comparison tool like Squaremouth to find plans that offer varying medical limits, evacuation coverage, cruise perks, and optional activity riders.

Read the Fine Print

Many people think their insurance covers all situations, but exclusions are common, particularly for high-risk activities. Most standard plans do not cover jet skiing, kite surfing, off-roading, UTV tours, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, or wreck snorkeling without adequate safety measures. Renting motorbikes, boats, or excursions without licensed guides may jeopardize your coverage. Therefore, reviewing the Certificate of Insurance (COI) ensures that your policy encompasses the activities and areas listed in your itinerary.

Match Your Plan to Your Itinerary

Cruising to Aruba or heading by flight for a beach retreat or a group getaway? Make sure your insurance reflects any of those logistics, no matter how complicated. Look for policies with missed ports, itinerary changes, or shipboard emergency care.

For example:

• If you’re cruising, look for policies, missed ports, itinerary changes, or shipboard emergency care.
• If you plan to rent a car and explore, look for a plan with high Medical Evacuation limits. You never know what could happen the farther you drive or explore.
• If you’re dealing with a medical condition, ensure you’ve added a pre-existing conditions waiver to help keep you financially safe.
• If you’re heading to Aruba to get wild and participate in an active excursion, ensure you have coverage for high-risk activities.

Consider Add-Ons for Flexibility or Activities

Even though Aruba is laid-back, many visitors engage in water sports or nature tours, often requiring additional protection. If you’re unsure about your plans or prefer to cancel without strict restrictions, consider CFAR. Plans like Tin Leg Gold and IMG iTravelInsured Choice provide Adventure Sports upgrades and CFAR options for greater flexibility.

Plan for Weather and Travel Delays

Although Aruba is generally dry and sunny, rare storms or flight delays can interrupt travel plans. Medical issues also arise, and U.S. health insurance isn’t valid. Choose a plan with Trip Interruption and Travel Delay benefits to minimize unexpected costs.

Is Travel Insurance for Aruba Worth It?

Travel insurance for Aruba is worthwhile. Considering the potential for medical emergencies, weather disruptions, and the cost of evacuations from island resorts, it serves as a smart safeguard. At about 4-10% of your trip cost, which generally amounts to less than $25 a day for comprehensive coverage and under $10 for medical-only coverage, insurance can protect your wallet and provide peace of mind.

FAQ: Aruba travel insurance

Is Aruba safe to visit?

Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean tourist destinations, featuring a low crime rate, strong police presence, and developed tourism infrastructure. Most visits are trouble-free, particularly in resort areas and popular beaches like Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. However, travelers should take common-sense precautions, such as avoiding isolated places at night, securing valuables, and staying aware of their surroundings. Aruba has reliable medical facilities and an efficient emergency response system, enhancing its reputation as a safe travel destination.

What is the best cruise insurance for Aruba?

Based on our internal marketplace sales data and submitted claims, our top recommendation for cruise insurance is Travel Insured International—FlexiPAX. Its extensive coverage and flexibility make it the preferred option for Squaremouth customers. The plan features complete Trip Cancellation protection, reimbursing 100% of your trip costs, and offers delay benefits to cover expenses in case your trip is interrupted. With options for Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption For Any Reason, FlexiPAX delivers unparalleled flexibility for cruisers.

While on your cruise, FlexiPAX also covers medical emergencies with $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage—meeting Squaremouth’s recommended amount—and $500,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, exceeding the recommended amount for additional peace of mind. Plus, both of these benefits can be upgraded to include increased coverage.

How Do I Find Sports and Activities Insurance for Aruba?

To find plans with an Adventure Sports rider that explicitly lists high-risk activities as covered, you can use the Squaremouth search and compare tool, since many standard plans don’t include injuries related to snorkeling, parasailing, windsurfing, or ATV riding unless you upgrade. Using our comparison tool, you can filter plans to include specific activities. Our recommended plans for Aruba are wise choices that include or allow you to add protection for thrilling activities.

Is travel insurance mandatory for Aruba in 2025?

Travel insurance isn’t required to enter Aruba in 2025, but it’s a good idea. While Aruba is generally safe and has trustworthy and reliable facilities, it’s essential to know that medical care isn’t free for international visitors, and U.S. health insurance often doesn’t cover you there. A reliable travel insurance plan can give you peace of mind, as it covers emergency medical care, evacuations, and cancellations. This is especially important if you plan to join in on exciting excursions or visit as part of a cruise!

Will my U.S. Health Insurance Work in Aruba?

Generally, most U.S. health insurance plans, even Medicare, aren’t accepted outside the United States. So, if you need medical care while you’re vacationing in Aruba, you’ll likely need to pay out of pocket for services unless you have travel medical insurance. Also, private clinics require upfront payment for services, and those can also add up. So, a travel insurance policy with medical benefits totalling at least $100,000 in Emergency medical Coverage is smart.

What documents are required to travel to Aruba?

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport to enter Aruba. Before your arrival, you must also fill out Aruba’s online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card, which includes answering health and travel screening questions. Additionally, it’s essential to show proof of return or onward travel, such as a flight ticket or cruise itinerary. You may need to provide proof of sufficient funds or hotel bookings if traveling independently.

Do I need a visa or passport to travel to Aruba?

U.S. citizens can travel to Aruba for tourism without a visa for visits under 90 days, but they must have a valid passport for entry. Cruise passengers on certain “closed-loop” cruises (departing and returning to the U.S.) may utilize other documents, like a birth certificate with a government-issued ID; however, obtaining a passport is highly recommended for greater flexibility and to address emergencies.

Does Aruba require COVID insurance?

Starting in 2025, Aruba no longer mandates travelers to have COVID-specific insurance for entry. Nevertheless, it is still wise to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers COVID-related medical expenses, trip cancellations, and quarantine costs. Several highly-rated insurance plans recommended for Aruba, including those from Travel Insured International, IMG, and Tin Leg, automatically provide COVID benefits, ensuring peace of mind should your illness affect your trip.

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Helpful Resources

• Visit Aruba
• Aruba Visitors Insurance