Cuba & Costa Rica Blog
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Written by Cuba and Costa Rica expert Christopher P. Baker, this blog will update readers on life in these two diverse and exciting countries.
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Cuba to require mandatory travel insurance for visitors
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Yesterday, the Cuban government put visitors on notice that as of May 1, 2010, all foreigners and Cubans living living abroad who wish to enter Cuba will be required to have travel insurance with medical coverage.
The new requirement also covers foreigners with temporary residence in Cuba. The announcement, made in the Official Gazette of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers, exempts diplomats and representatives of international organizations accredited in the country
Policies need to be with insurance companies that Cuba officially recognizes.
Visitors who arrive without such coverage will be made to purchase insurance through Cuba's own Asistur S.A. Cuban's own Cuba Linda tour agency, founded by CIA-turncoat Philip Agee (who died in Havana in 2008), sells comprehensive insurance costing just CUC7 per day (CUC10 for U.S. citizens).
It appears that cash-strapped Cuba is looking at selling mandatory insurance coverage as a new source of revenue. With 2.42 million arrivals in 2009, this has the potential to generate considerable revenue... if it doesn't kill the goose that lays the golden egg by putting off potential tourists.
Cuba's medical services to foreigners are provided by Servimed, a division of Cubanacan. The main facility is Clinica Garcia, a state-of-the-art clinic in Havana's tony Miramar district. It even offers free medical training to would-be doctors at the Latin American School of Medicine (see the video).
I've written in-depth about the pros and cons of Cuba's health system, as well as its medical services for foreigners.
For further information about travel in Cuba, buy Moon Cuba
Copyright © Christopher P. Baker
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I think it is a good idea
Posted by Steve Simons on July 20, 2010 at 11:07 am
I think it is a good idea for any country to make it mandatory for out of the country visitors to buy some form of visitors insurance. Personally I would never want to leave the country without getting insurance for myself because you never know what could happen.
So people travel to Cuba for
Posted by Wayne Bernhardson on June 15, 2010 at 5:06 am
So people travel to Cuba for cheap medical care? That hardly makes Cuba unique. They do the same to Thailand, to Argentina, and elsewhere. For better or worse, I expect most people travel to Cuba to lie on a tropical beach - nothing more, nothing less.
health tourism
Posted by yannanda on June 15, 2010 at 1:06 am
If you have seen Michael Moore’s Sicko you should know why people travel to Cuba: it’s because of their low cost on medical services. Get a boat or plane tickets, pay your travel insurance and you will get a bypass for less than a quarter you’d pay here.
Not a bad idea
Posted by Larryjensen13 on July 8, 2010 at 10:07 am
Ya it does seem unethical but traveling to Cuba for cheaper medical service isn't a bad idea. If you're in a financial crunch, like a lot of people today are, this may be the best option. It is a little extreme, but not a bad idea in theory. When people come to the US they usually purchase visitors insurance, but with Cuba's lack of regulations there is really no need. But for people traveling to the US it is definitely a good idea.
The United States also
Posted by Wayne Bernhardson on June 7, 2010 at 8:06 am
The United States also requires travel insurance from visa applicants, so what? It is just a routine bureaucratic measure for which neither country deserves any exaggerated praise.
I think that it is a must
Posted by studs on June 7, 2010 at 3:06 am
I think that it is a must for a traveler to have a International Travel Insurance. If a traveler is insured with some kind of insurance companies than he/she should feel really free to enjoy themselves , especially if someone is going on an adventurous trips . I think what Cuban government has done is really very great , this helps themselves and the travelers feel secure prior to their trip .
Great step toward what? It's
Posted by Wayne Bernhardson on June 6, 2010 at 6:06 am
Great step toward what? It's a routine no-brainer. It says nothing good or bad about Cuba. A true step forward would be to allow individuals and families to open small, tourist-oriented businesses without excessive bureaucratic interference.
Great Step
Posted by Steve Simons on June 3, 2010 at 10:06 am
I think this is a great step for Cuba, but what I want to know is who in their right mind wouldn't get visitor health insurance when traveling to another country? It is always a good and safe idea to do so.
good idea.
Posted by faith on April 18, 2010 at 9:04 am
I also think that the government took the right step. Now, at the present time, I think all the countries should follow the Travel Insurance concept. It will promote tourism as tourist will feel safe in new places.
Nice concept
Posted by jameandrew on May 4, 2010 at 2:05 am
I think Cuba has taken a nice initiative by making travel insurance a must.Now every foreigners arriving in Cuba should have the insurance with him or has to take the insurance on arrival.I think this step should be taken by all the country and should made it compulsary.Not only it will increase the government revenue but also it will insure the proper health of its citizens.
Insurance??
Posted by tristanwelz on March 26, 2010 at 11:03 am
Cuba taking a big step in protecting visitors to their country by requiring them to have health insurance--this may seem like a drastic step on the surface, but if you have ever been abroad and been in need of medical care without insurance you would understand. Attaining visitor medical insurance not only will give you peace of mind, but adequate coverage if something should happen to you. Even if you never use it, imagine being in another country and getting injured while hiking or bike riding and then imagine expenses incurred with the medical attention.
Travel Insurance
Posted by mango20 on May 26, 2010 at 1:05 am
Travel Insurance is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses and financial (such as money invested in nonrefundable pre-payments) and other losses incurred while traveling, either within one's own country, or internationally.
Insurance Agent
Posted by jamestt on September 2, 2010 at 4:09 am
Medical travel insurance is a must and of course nobody wants to get hurt while on vacation, but travel insurance ain't that expensive so I don't understand why this has to be such an important discussion.