What travel insurance do I need for the Caribbean?
Key takeaways
Travel insurance protects you if something goes wrong during your trip and is a requirement to enter Cuba
If you are going on a Caribbean cruise, you generally won’t be allowed to board without specialist cruise insurance
Different countries in the Caribbean have different rules regarding visas so check before you travel
Do I need travel insurance for the Caribbean?
🚩 If you’re visiting the largest Caribbean island, Cuba, then you are required to have travel insurance that includes medical cover. You will need to show proof you have it or you will have to buy it on entry to Cuba.
You may also need to take out travel insurance if you are going on a Caribbean cruise. Some companies will not let you board without it.
Even if you’re visiting a Caribbean island which doesn’t require it, travel insurance can give you peace of mind. It will give you financial protection if:
Your holiday to the Caribbean is unexpectedly cancelled
You have a medical emergency while travelling
What type of travel insurance do I need for the Caribbean?
You’ll need a worldwide travel insurance policy that includes the Caribbean.
Check that the region is definitely covered by your policy, as it is common for travel policies to exclude the USA, Canada and the Caribbean unless you specifically add these areas on.
Travel insurance will usually include:
Illness and accidents
Trip and activity cancellations
Theft
Personal liability
However, you won’t normally be covered if:
You travel outside of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidelines
You don’t get vaccinations that you’ve been advised to have
You don’t declare a medical condition
Your claim is due to your own reckless or illegal actions
You may need to buy specialised travel insurance or add-ons if you want to cover:
Will my travel insurance cover natural disasters in the Caribbean?
Standard travel insurance may not cover natural disasters, such as hurricanes, which can be a common occurrence in the Caribbean so you’ll need to check your policy documents.
If natural disasters are included, your insurer will usually only pay out for holiday cancellations in the event of a natural disaster if the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against anything except essential travel to your destination. Some providers also require the local or national authorities to say that it’s unsafe to travel.
However, you can take out travel disruption insurance, which is designed to cover unexpected events that could interrupt or cancel your travel plans. Be aware that you won’t get a pay out if a natural disaster was announced before you booked your holiday and bought cover.
When is the hurricane season in the Caribbean?
The official hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and peaks in August and September.
However, there are variations. For example, Hurricane Melissa (a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 157mph) hit Jamaica and the Caribbean islands in October 2025.
How much does travel insurance for the Caribbean cost?
You can get worldwide travel cover including the Caribbean from £36.90
If you would prefer to take out single-trip insurance, the average costs for some Caribbean countries are:
Caribbean country | Cheapest cost | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda | £20.01 | £59.64 |
The Bahamas | £16.70 | £66.78 |
Barbados | £21.87 | £60.19 |
Cuba | £29.22 | £43.30 |
Dominican Republic | £20.78 | £46.54 |
Jamaica | £27.74 | £59.78 |
Saint Lucia | £26.61 | £61.15 |
However, a number of factors will affect the price of your worldwide travel insurance, such as:
Your age: Travelling becomes riskier the older you are, and premiums rise especially sharply after you hit retirement age
Your health: If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, insurers may charge you considerably more for cover
The length of your trip: The longer your trip is the higher your premiums are likely to be
What travel insurance do I need for a Caribbean cruise?
Cruise cover is a specialist type of travel insurance. Most cruise companies won't let you on board unless you have this insurance.
You can often add cruise cover to your regular travel insurance, or you can get a special policy just for cruises.
Cruise travel insurance financially protects you if you face problems like:
Missing your ship's departure
Needing to get to a hospital if you get sick while at sea
How can I get cheaper travel insurance for the Caribbean?
Comparing quotes from different travel insurance providers is the easiest way to find the right level of cover at a lower price. If you don’t want the hassle of searching yourself, MoneySuperMarket can do it for you, helping you save both time and money.
Do I need a visa to travel to the Caribbean from the UK?
Visa requirements for countries can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice.
Different countries in the Caribbean have different rules regarding visas:
Visa free: Caribbean countries that UK full British citizen passport holders can travel visa-free to include the Barbados, Jamaica and Saint Lucia
Visa in advance: UK passport holders need a visa to visit Caribbean countries like Cuba
Caribbean country | Is a visa required if you have a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK? | Length of stay |
|---|---|---|
Anguilla | No | Up to 90 days |
Antigua and Barbuda | No | Up to 90 days |
Aruba | No | Up to 3 months |
The Bahamas | No | Up to 30 days |
Barbados | No | You will be told how long you can stay when you arrive |
British Virgin Islands | No | Up to 1 month |
Cayman Islands | No | Up to 6 months |
Cuba | Yes. You need to get a tourist visa, also known as a tourist card, before you travel and you’ll need proof of onward or return travel | Up to 90 days |
Dominica | No | Up to 6 months |
Dominican Republic | No | Up to 30 days |
Jamiaca | No | Up to 90 days |
Saint Lucia | No | Up to 6 weeks |
Information correct as of November 2025, check before you travel as visa requirements may change. In some Caribbean countries it may be possible to extend your stay. If you overstay you could face a fine, detention and deportation.
Do I need any vaccinations to travel to the Caribbean from the UK?
Different countries in the Caribbean have different rules regarding which vaccinations you need. Up-to-date vaccine recommendations for the Caribbean are listed on the Travel Health Pro website.
Which countries are in the Caribbean?
There are 13 independent countries in the Caribbean, which are:
Antigua and Barbuda
The Bahamas
Barbados
Cuba
Dominica
The Dominican Republic
Grenada
Haiti
Jamaica
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
There are also several overseas territories and dependencies. These include the British Overseas Territories of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands, and Aruba, which is part of the Dutch Caribbean.
Author
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
