1st trip!

[AZlady]

Can someone direct me to a trip report or helpful info to guide me on my upcoming Costa Rica trip.
How about international insurance? Pointers
I have never been out of the US and getting a bit nervous.
Thank you!

 

[Bobo912]

Congratulations! Costa Rica was our first ABD back in 2008. It was a fun trip and they've made quite a few improvements since then. There is a sticky with trip reports at the top of the forum. There are two recent reports from tufbuf and gonecruisin on the last page of the thread. Here's a link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2167714&page=5
You can purchase travel insurance from ABD or if you want to do some research on your own, you can go to insuremytrip.com and compare the policies that are available. The options are from reputable companies. I've done both.

 

[sayhello]

Congrats, and welcome to the ABD Forum and your first ABD!

Bobo912 has already pointed you to our Trip Report Sticky, and www.insuremytrip.com. Both *very* good resources!

If you'd like to tell me what date you booked for, and the makeup of your traveling party, I'd be happy to add you to the Meets thread for Costa Rica.

As far as the trip insurance is concerned, check with ABD as to what they offer, then compare it to what's offered on www.insuremytrip.com. The only bad thing with the ABD insurance is that they recently changed their policies, and the trip insurance is not purchased until you pay in Full. (They used to buy it as soon as you requested & paid for it). What this means is that, if you need a pre-existing condition waiver, you need to not only purchase the insurance within 14 days of your first downpayment, you need to Pay in Full before those 14 days are up. I'm not happy about this.

Otherwise, the ABD insurance is a good policy, and usually very well priced.

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

I book through AAA and we get an insurance policy (non ABD) that covers pre-existing conditions and is in effect when we put our down payment down. For what it's worth some blue chip companies (Intel, Bank of America, etc.) are pulling a lot of personal out of Costa Rica for the new election has brought into power "the opposition" which will make these companies nervous.....I don't know what that means for the people but it is worth watching IMO.

 

[lovetotravel]

Congrats, and welcome to the ABD Forum and your first ABD! Bobo912 has already pointed you to our Trip Report Sticky, and www.insuremytrip.com. Both *very* good resources! If you'd like to tell me what date you booked for, and the makeup of your traveling party, I'd be happy to add you to the Meets thread for Costa Rica. As far as the trip insurance is concerned, check with ABD as to what they offer, then compare it to what's offered on www.insuremytrip.com. The only bad thing with the ABD insurance is that they recently changed their policies, and the trip insurance is not purchased until you pay in Full. (They used to buy it as soon as you requested & paid for it). What this means is that, if you need a pre-existing condition waiver, you need to not only purchase the insurance within 14 days of your first downpayment, you need to Pay in Full before those 14 days are up. I'm not happy about this. Otherwise, the ABD insurance is a good policy, and usually very well priced. Sayhello

Sayhello,

When did they change the policy regarding full payment before insurance is purchased? Thank you.

 

[AZlady]

I purchased travel insurance w/ ABD when I booked. They told me it was w/ Allianz. I hope that is a good plan.....
We are traveling July 19,2014.

I just read all 12 pages of the CR trip reports....eek! nervous & excited!

 

[sayhello]

Sayhello,

When did they change the policy regarding full payment before insurance is purchased? Thank you.

I got an email about it from Kevin the end of January. He really had to fight hard to get those of us who had already purchased the trip insurance covered under the policy that was in place when we booked.

I purchased travel insurance w/ ABD when I booked. They told me it was w/ Allianz. I hope that is a good plan.....
We are traveling July 19,2014.

I just read all 12 pages of the CR trip reports....eek! nervous & excited!

Allianz is definitely a good company, and it's a good plan. Again, as long as you're not worried about the pre-existing condition waiver.

Sayhello

 

[AZlady]

Do people take big SLR cameras or point & shoots? (Of course when we go rafting & ziplining I will bring the P&S)....but what about the boat trip?

 

[lovetotravel]

Do people take big SLR cameras or point & shoots? (Of course when we go rafting & ziplining I will bring the P&S)....but what about the boat trip?

I brought both! That way my husband and I can take our own pictures. Bring extra batteries so that you can charge the extra while you are out touring and you are ready to go every day. You might also want a waterproof p&s for rafting.

 

[carpenta]

I brought both! That way my husband and I can take our own pictures. Bring extra batteries so that you can charge the extra while you are out touring and you are ready to go every day. You might also want a waterproof p&s for rafting.

...and they also sell "disposable" waterproof cameras which take about 24 pictures that can be brought from the U.S. with you, used on any rafting trip, and brought back and have those pictures developed. You are relieved about the worry I know I have when I use my P+S camera around water..

 

[Cousin Orville]

Do people take big SLR cameras or point & shoots? (Of course when we go rafting & ziplining I will bring the P&S)....but what about the boat trip?

I usually leave my slr at home and take a p&s. Size and light weight win out for me. But if you're used to taking your slr on other vacations, I wouldn't hesitate taking it on an ABD.

 

[sayhello]

Do people take big SLR cameras or point & shoots? (Of course when we go rafting & ziplining I will bring the P&S)....but what about the boat trip?

I haven't done this trip, but, like Cousin Orville, size and light weight is what counts for me. I spent years lugging around an SLR and lenses, etc, and just got tired of it. There are actually some P&S cameras out there that take fantastic photos. If you've looked at any of my Trip Reports, all my photos have been taken with Panasonic Lumix P&S's. But it's really up to what you're comfortable with. There's always been at least one person on my ABDs carrying an SLR. Most others carry P&S.

...and they also sell "disposable" waterproof cameras which take about 24 pictures that can be brought from the U.S. with you, used on any rafting trip, and brought back and have those pictures developed. You are relieved about the worry I know I have when I use my P+S camera around water..

You can also get some pretty reasonable digital waterproof cameras. I bought a waterproof Nikon Coolpix at Target for well under $100, and it's lasted me for 4 trips so far (and taken *way* more than 24 pics). Disposable waterproof cameras can cost $15 each, plus whatever having the pictures developed cost. It takes really nice pictures.

Sayhello

 

[AZlady]

Passports arrived!!

 

[AZlady]

Final payment made today!

 

[EDH Family]

I purchased travel insurance w/ ABD when I booked. They told me it was w/ Allianz. I hope that is a good plan.....
We are traveling July 19,2014.

I just read all 12 pages of the CR trip reports....eek! nervous & excited!

Hello AZlady-My son an I are also booked on the 7/19 Costa Rica ABD. Our first one too!