Travel Insurance for South America
From trekking the Peruvian Andes to diving off the Galapagos Islands, learn how travel insurance for South America could help Canadians
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to South America. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in South America like rock climbing, hiking and scuba diving.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip delays and lost luggage.
From Patagonia’s dramatic glaciers to Colombia’s coffee region and Brazil’s tropical coastline, South America is vast and varied. Beyond its natural landscapes, each country’s identity is shaped by history, food and tradition. Explore ancient sites like Machu Picchu, wander Cartagena’s colourful streets, dance the tango in Buenos Aires, have a pisco sour at a rooftop bar in Cusco – the more you immerse yourself in local culture, the more rewarding your trip will be. Wherever you’re headed in South America, it pays to be prepared. From missed connections to medical emergencies, travel insurance helps you handle the unexpected.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to South America. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in South America
From riding across the plains of Patagonia on horseback to exploring the underwater wonders of the Galápagos, getting active outdoors is easy in South America. If hiking is your thing, Peru’s Inca Trail, the W Trek in Torres del Paine and Colombia’s Lost City Trek are among the most iconic routes. Cyclists will love Patagonia’s dramatic roads and Peru’s high-altitude Andean routes, while mountain climbers can take on Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. All-round adrenaline junkies can head for San Gil in Colombia to take their pick of extreme sports.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for South America
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be thankful you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Hit by a car crossing the street in Santiago? Tripped over on your Patagonia trek and broke your arm? Ate questionable asado in Córdoba and got food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Natural disasters
When a natural disaster strikes, even the most carefully planned trip can be thrown off course, but travel insurance can offer some much-needed weatherproofing. With protection for trip interruption, medical emergencies, and even evacuation, you can head into the unknown feeling prepared for whatever comes your way. Do your research before you go though, because if you buy a policy after an event is known and the natural disaster impacts your trip, you won’t be covered for any expenses.
Tips for travelling to South America
- Check entry requirements for each country – visa rules, entry forms and passport validity requirements can vary
- Be mindful of food and water safety – stick to bottled or filtered water and eat freshly prepared food
- Learn a few local phrases – Spanish and Portuguese are widely spoken, and a few basics can go a long way
- Don’t let strangers help you with luggage at bus terminals, airports or train stations, and never stow bags where you can’t see them.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for South America. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need visas to travel in South America?
Visa requirements vary by country. Canadians can enter many South American countries visa-free for short stays, but some require visas or entry forms. Always check the requirements for each destination before you travel.
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Is South America safe for tourists?
Safety varies by country and region. Popular tourist areas are generally well managed, but petty theft and more serious crime can occur. Stay in well-known areas, use reputable transport and remain aware of your surroundings. You may want to consider travel insurance for those unexpected situations.
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Is it safe to drink tap water in South America?
In many countries, it’s best to avoid tap water. Stick to bottled or filtered water and take care with ice and raw foods.
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What currency is used in South America?
There’s no single currency – each country has its own. Credit cards are widely accepted in cities, but it’s useful to carry cash, especially in smaller towns.
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Do I need vaccinations for South America?
Some vaccinations may be recommended depending on your itinerary, including protection against hepatitis A and yellow fever. Speak with your doctor before travelling.
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Is altitude sickness a risk in South America?
Yes. Many destinations in the Andes, including Cusco in Peru and La Paz in Bolivia, sit at high elevations. Altitude sickness can affect travellers, so it’s important to acclimatise gradually, stay hydrated and avoid overexertion in the first few days.
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Is it safe to visit the Amazon rainforest?
Yes, when travelling with a reputable guide or organised tour. Most visitors explore the Amazon through lodges or guided excursions, which help manage risks such as wildlife, navigation and remote conditions. You may want to consider travel insurance for those unexpected medical emergency situations.
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Is it safe to travel between regions in South America?
Yes, but distances can be long and conditions vary. Domestic flights are often the quickest way to travel between major destinations, while buses are a common option for shorter routes. It’s best to plan ahead and allow extra time for connections.
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Do I need travel insurance for South America?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
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What if my passport gets stolen in South America?
World Nomads travel insurance plans cover theft or damage of the following documents:
- Passports
- Driver’s licenses
- Birth certificates
- Travel visas
You can claim up to the maximum limit stated in the policy towards the replacement of your passport or other travel documents.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.