Article Highlights:

  • Aruba mandates visitors buy the official Aruba Visitors Insurance, which includes COVID-19 coverage.
  • Bermuda requires all travelers to carry health insurance that covers local medical treatment.
  • Cuba enforces a strict travel medical insurance policy for all international arrivals.
  • Puerto Rico requires J-visa holders to maintain valid U.S.-standard health insurance.
  • Global Rescue membership provides world-class evacuation support that goes beyond traditional travel health insurance.

 

 

North America and the Caribbean welcome millions of travelers each year, from cruise passengers and sun-seekers to students and cultural explorers. Yet in many destinations, entry comes with a critical condition: proof of travel health insurance.

Countries and territories across this region mandate coverage to protect visitors from unexpected medical bills and to safeguard limited healthcare systems. Beyond basic medical coverage, some nations emphasize evacuation protection due to their remote locations and limited hospital capacity.

 

Aruba: Mandatory Visitors Insurance

Aruba sets one of the most explicit insurance rules in the Caribbean. Every traveler is required to purchase the government-approved Aruba Visitors Insurance.

This policy specifically covers COVID-19 medical treatment and quarantine expenses. Travelers must buy the coverage online before arrival; without proof, boarding a flight or entering Aruba may be denied.

While the insurance provides a base level of protection, it doesn’t replace the need for comprehensive travel health insurance that covers accidents, emergency evacuation or extended hospitalization.

 

Bermuda: Proof of Health Insurance Required

Bermuda, famous for its pink-sand beaches, requires all visitors to demonstrate proof of valid health insurance upon arrival. The insurance must cover medical treatment while in Bermuda, ensuring tourists don’t overwhelm the island’s limited healthcare resources.

The island has modern medical facilities, but serious cases may still require evacuation to the United States or Canada. Travelers are strongly advised to secure evacuation protection in addition to medical coverage.

 

Cuba: Strict Enforcement of Travel Medical Insurance

Among the Caribbean nations, Cuba is perhaps the strictest. All travelers, regardless of nationality, must carry valid travel medical insurance.

Authorities may ask for proof of coverage at the airport. If you don’t have an acceptable policy, you’ll be required to buy one from a Cuban insurance provider before being allowed entry.

This rule highlights Cuba’s awareness of its limited healthcare resources and the importance of ensuring visitors can pay for medical services. To avoid complications, travelers should bring proof of insurance in Spanish or English.

 

Puerto Rico: J-Visa Holder Requirement

As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico generally follows U.S. entry rules, meaning American health insurance applies for domestic travelers. However, there’s one key exception: J-visa holders.

Students, researchers, and exchange visitors on J-visas must carry U.S.-standard health insurance that includes:

  • Medical coverage for illness and accidents.
  • Repatriation of remains (minimum $25,000).
  • Medical evacuation protection (minimum $50,000).

This requirement underscores the importance of evacuation protection even within U.S. jurisdictions.

 

Why Insurance Rules Exist Across the Caribbean & North America

The mandates in Aruba, Bermuda, Cuba, and Puerto Rico are designed to:

  • Protect fragile healthcare systems – Many island nations have small hospitals with limited capacity.
  • Ensure access to care – Travelers with valid insurance can receive treatment without delay.
  • Avoid financial strain – Evacuation flights can exceed $50,000 to $100,000, often more than the cost of the entire vacation.

 

Traveler Mistakes To Avoid

  • Assuming domestic insurance applies abroad – U.S. health plans rarely cover care in Cuba or Bermuda.
  • Overlooking evacuation coverage – Critical in island nations where advanced care may require air transfer.
  • Not purchasing mandated local insurance – As in Aruba, failure to comply means denied entry.
  • Failing to carry proof – Border officials may request documentation at random.

 

Choosing the Right Travel Health Insurance for North America and Caribbean

Travelers should ensure their coverage includes:

  • Medical coverage for accidents, illness, and hospitalization.
  • Emergency evacuation protection (especially vital for islands).
  • Repatriation of remains for legal compliance.
  • Quarantine and COVID-19 coverage where required (Aruba, Seychelles, etc.).
  • 24/7 emergency assistance to coordinate with hospitals and air ambulance providers.

 

Beyond the Required Destinations

Even in places without official mandates, such as Mexico, Jamaica or the Bahamas, travelers would be wise to carry comprehensive insurance. An accident during water sports, a car crash, or sudden illness could require emergency evacuation to the U.S., costing tens of thousands of dollars.

In this region, where ocean barriers limit medical options, evacuation protection is a necessity.

 

How Is It Enforced?

In Aruba, all travelers must pre-purchase the Aruba Visitors Insurance, which is verified at border control. In Bermuda, travelers are expected to carry insurance, though enforcement is relatively light and is occasionally checked by local authorities. Cuba checks insurance on arrival, and those without coverage must purchase a Cuban-approved policy at the airport. In Puerto Rico, J-visa holders are subject to U.S. regulations that require insurance, enforced by educational institutions or employers rather than immigration.

 

The Global Rescue Connection

Caribbean nations are increasingly requiring proof of traveler health insurance for entry, particularly due to the limited capacity of island healthcare systems. While traditional insurance satisfies mandates in places like Aruba, Bermuda, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, these policies often only reimburse costs after the fact—leaving travelers on their own to manage evacuations during a crisis.

A Global Rescue membership fills that critical gap. With on-the-ground medical support, evacuation coordination, and security response, Global Rescue ensures you’re never left stranded. Whether you’re injured while diving in Bermuda or fall ill while exploring Cuba, Global Rescue can execute the evacuation and deliver you to advanced care.

The smartest strategy is simple: pair travel health insurance for compliance and treatment coverage with a Global Rescue membership for rescue and evacuation. Together, they provide complete protection, and the freedom to truly relax and enjoy paradise across North America and the Caribbean.