Recommended Travel and Evacuation Insurance for a San Ignacio Lagoon Trip

Travel insurance is not included in our trip fees, and we strongly recommend it for every guest. The cover we recommend is comprehensive: trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation. Buy it soon after you book, and read the policy terms carefully, because coverage varies from one policy to another.

You can buy coverage from any provider you choose. The insurer makes all coverage and claim decisions under the terms of your policy. For more on planning a trip, see our Baja whale watching guide.

What we recommend

We recommend a policy that covers four things:

  • trip cancellation, if you have to cancel before you travel
  • trip interruption, if your trip is cut short once it has started
  • medical expenses, for treatment if you become ill or are injured while you are away
  • emergency evacuation, to move you to suitable medical care if you need it

Our cancellation policy is strictly enforced, which is one reason we recommend buying insurance soon after booking. The policy itself is set out in the Booking section of our FAQs, and it is worth reading alongside any insurance you consider.

Why evacuation cover matters at San Ignacio Lagoon

Campo Cortez is in a remote part of Baja California Sur, several hours from advanced medical services. Our staff keep a first-aid kit, and our guides have basic first-aid training, but serious care is a long way from the lagoon. That distance is why we strongly recommend insurance that includes emergency medical treatment and evacuation.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives similar general advice for travel to Mexico. It notes that if you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet U.S. standards. It also notes that trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas, and that medical evacuation insurance can help for these reasons.

Check what your own health plan covers

Before you buy, find out what your existing health insurance would cover during your trip. The CDC recommends reviewing your plan to see which medical services it covers abroad, and considering travel health and medical evacuation insurance to fill the gaps.

When to buy

We recommend buying travel insurance soon after you book. A deposit secures your place when you book, and final payment is due 90 days before departure, so the full trip cost is paid about three months before you travel.

Questions to ask before you buy

Every policy is different, and these are useful things to confirm with the insurer before you choose one:

  • Does it include all four parts we recommend: cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation?
  • Does the medical cover apply in Mexico, and at a remote location like San Ignacio Lagoon?
  • Where would an evacuation take you, and how is it arranged?
  • How much of your trip cost does the cancellation cover protect?
  • Are there conditions, exclusions, or deadlines for buying that affect you?

Only the insurer can answer these, so confirm each answer in the policy documents before you buy.

Tell us about medical needs before you travel

Bring enough of any prescription medications for the whole trip, along with any personal medical items you need. Whether a trip suits your health is a question for your doctor. We can answer questions about the trip itself: the travel, the boats, the camp, and how far it is to medical care. If you have a condition that could affect your care or your participation, tell us before departure, and share the information with a travel companion as well. Contact us with any questions about trip conditions and arrangements.

Frequently asked questions

Is travel insurance required?

It is not included in the trip fee, and we strongly recommend it for every guest.

Which insurance company should I use?

We currently work with Faye, and you can use this link to request a quote. You can buy coverage from any provider. Choose a policy that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation, and read its terms carefully. The insurer makes all coverage and claim decisions under the terms of your policy.

Does my health insurance cover me in Mexico?

It depends on your plan. The CDC recommends checking what your plan covers before you travel and considering travel health and medical evacuation insurance.

What happens if I need medical help at the lagoon?

Our staff can give basic first aid and help arrange transport toward medical care, but advanced care is several hours away, which is why we recommend evacuation cover.

Sources

Planning your trip

For trip details and what each departure includes, see our San Ignacio Lagoon whale watching tours. If you have questions about insurance and your booking, call 877-506-0557 or email info@bajaecotours.com.