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Travel insurance for South America

Maybe you're going to take in the breathtaking views of Machu Picchu. Or, maybe you want to explore the Galapagos Islands. Whatever your plans, South America can be a once in a lifetime holiday! If you're looking to get covered with insurance, we can help.

Below, we'll take a look at South America and what to expect. From travel insurance to visa requirements. If you're ready, you can click 'get a quote' now. Otherwise, just keep reading.

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert

Reviewed by Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert 9 min read | Published 30/08/2024

Our expert panel reviews all content. Learn more about our editorial standards and how we operate.

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How do I compare South America travel insurance quotes?

You can compare travel insurance for South America in 3 simple steps:

Tell us about your trip

First, you'll need to head over to our quotes page.

Then, we'll need some details about you and your trip, including what kind of cover you want and where you're going.

You'll also be able to add any additional travellers and select policy add-ons.

Tell us a bit about you

Once you've done that, we'll need some information from you. This includes things like your age, and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

We'll also need to know if any additional travellers on the policy have any pre-existing conditions too.

Compare quotes

Once you've done that, it'll be over to us!

We'll show you a list of quotes from up to 47¹ travel insurance providers.

All you'll need to do is compare the different policy details and prices to find the one that suits you best. Sorted!

¹Correct as of July 2024

Important information

All insurance products exclude cover for known events. These are global events that can put you in danger and/or disrupt travel. This exclusion applies if the event was declared as a 'known event' when you bought your travel insurance.

For example, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to parts of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela*.

If you travel against FCDO advice or fail to comply with your destination's entry requirements, you won't be covered by any travel insurance you buy.

*Correct as of August 2024

Choosing the right travel insurance for your trip to South America

You can choose between the following policy types depending on your needs:

Single-trip travel insurance

If your South American trip is a one-off holiday, this is a great option to consider. Just select the country you're travelling to when you get a quote.

Single-trip travel insurance can cover an individual trip, usually up to 31 days.

Learn more about single-trip travel insurance

Multi-trip travel insurance

If you've got plans to go travelling more than once in the year, multi-trip travel insurance is worth considering. You'll want to choose worldwide travel insurance when getting a quote.

Also known as annual travel insurance, it can cover multiple trips over a 12-months period.

Learn more about multi-trip travel insurance

Backpacker travel insurance

Is South America part of a larger trip? If it is, look into backpackers insurance. A worldwide backpackers policy should cover you.

It can cover an extended trip to multiple countries, usually between 3 to 18 months.

Learn more about backpacker travel insurance

Top tip: Getting multi-trip travel insurance? You can choose between worldwide travel insurance that either includes or excludes the USA, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. It depends where you'll be going.

For the majority of countries in South America, you'll likely need worldwide travel insurance that excludes the USA, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. This is usually slightly cheaper than policies that cover these countries. But, it's best to check before buying your travel insurance to make sure you're getting the right cover.

Travel insurance for popular activities in South America

There are some activities that aren't usually covered by standard travel insurance. So, it's worth thinking about what you'll be getting up to in South America.

If your policy doesn't provide the level of cover you need for the things you plan to do, you might need a policy add-on. Just like the name suggests, you can add them to your policy for enhanced cover. But, keep in mind you'll need to pay an extra cost.

Let's take a look at them:

Cruise insurance. If you'll be stopping at certain parts of South America as part of a cruise, you'll need cruise travel insurance. It can cover you for the unique things that can go wrong while at sea, like missed ports.

Scuba diving insurance. Malpelo Island in Colombia is considered one of the best diving sites in the world, and is popular with people who want to swim with sharks! This add-on can offer enhanced cover for scuba diving, including diving to depths past 18 metres.
Skiing. When you think of South America, skiing might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But, San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina is popular with skiers all year round. If you're planning to go there, you'll need a winter sports insurance add-on.
Trekking and hiking insurance. Are you planning on trekking Torres del Paine National Park in Chile? Or, maybe you have plans to hike Tayrona National Park in Colombia? If you are, hiking and trekking won't be covered by your standard insurance. So, you'll need this add-on.

What does South America travel insurance cover?

Coverage can vary from insurer to insurer. But, to give you an idea of what to expect, here's what's usually offered by standard travel insurance:

What's normally covered:

Emergency medical expenses, if you need to receive emergency medical treatment.
Repatriation, if you need to be returned home to the UK to receive medical treatment.
Cancellation or curtailment, if you need to cancel your trip or come home early for an unexpected reason.
Travel disruption, if you experience travel delays because of things like strikes or mechanical issues.
Baggage cover, if your personal possessions are damaged, stolen or accidentally lost.

What's not normally covered:

Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't declare any medical conditions you have, you won't be covered if you need treatment for them while away.
Illness or injury resulting from illegal or malicious behaviour. If illness or injury occurs because of malicious or illegal behaviour on your part. For example, breaking the law.
Incidents that occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, if illness, injury or death occurs as a result of these substances.
Travelling against FCDO advice, if the government advises you not to travel to a certain destination but you go anyway.

What our travel insurance expert says

"Planning on exploring Patagonia's trails or trekking the Sacred Valley of the Incas? These awesome hikes might not be covered by standard travel insurance. So, consider a hiking and trekking policy add-on to stay protected."

Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert

How much does South America travel insurance cost?

How much your South America travel insurance policy costs depends on the type of policy you buy, as well as your personal circumstances. The following things can impact the price:

Destination. Certain countries have more expensive healthcare, which can lead to a more expensive travel insurance policy.
Length of trip. The longer you're away from home, the higher the chance of you needing to claim on your insurance. This can lead to a higher premium.
Age. The older you are, the higher your risk of illness or injury might be. This can mean a higher policy price.
Pre-existing medical conditions. If you have a medical condition, insurers might see you as being at higher risk of needing to make a claim. In turn, the cost of insurance can be higher.

Do I need travel insurance for South America?

Whether or not you'll legally need travel insurance depends on which South American country you're going to.

In Ecuador, it's a legal requirement. But, in other South American countries it's not. Still, even if you're jetting off to a part of South America where travel insurance isn't mandatory, you should still consider getting it.

For example, your European Health Insurance Card or Global Health Insurance Card (EHIC and GHIC) won't be valid in South America. Travel insurance can help cover the costs of expensive medical treatment you might need. Plus, pickpocketing can be common throughout South America. With the right travel insurance policy in place, you can be covered for lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings.

Note: Your travel insurance might not cover all situations. For example, natural disasters. So, it's important to read your policy documents to make sure you're getting the right level of cover.

Do I need a visa to travel to South America?

No, you won't need a visa.

British tourists can visit any South American country for 90 days or less visa-free.

But, it's worth checking the entry requirements for the South American country you're visiting.

Even if you don't need a visa, you'll need to make sure that you comply with other entry requirements. For example, making sure your passport is in-date. You can find information on specific country requirements on the FCDO website.

Medical care in South America

The quality of healthcare within South American countries can vary between major cities and remote areas.

You won't be able to use your GHIC or EHIC. But, you'll be entitled to free emergency medical treatment in life-threatening situations.

Despite this, you should still think about getting travel insurance. You might still need to pay for things like private healthcare or the cost of repatriation if you need to come home for treatment. Without a policy in place, you could pay thousands of pounds for these things.

Top tip: The FCDO has a directory of hospitals with English-speaking staff in South America.

What countries are in South America?

South America is a big continent! It's made up of 12 sovereign states, 3 non-sovereign dependent territories and an internal territory.

Sovereign states

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela

Dependent territories

The Falkland Islands
South Georgia
The South Sandwich Islands

Internal territory

French Guiana

The following might also be considered parts of South America to some insurers:

Kingdom of the Netherlands
British Overseas Territory of Ascension
Saint Helena
Tristan da Cunha
Bouvet
Panama
The Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

South America travel tips

Whether you'll be hiking Machu Picchu or exploring the many tropical coastlines, follow these tips for a memorable experience:

Safety

Crime rates can be high in South America. Kidnappings, robbery and pickpocketing can be common. GOV.UK has specific guidance on how to stay safe, depending on which South American country you're visiting.
Laws and customs

In some South American countries, you'll need to make sure you're carrying photo ID and your passport with an entry stamp at all times.

Top tip: Visiting a South American country that doesn't require this? Consider keeping your passport in a safe, secure place and carrying a copy of it instead.
Volunteering

If you're planning to volunteer during your time in South America, make sure that you're using a reputable, licenced tour operator. You should also make sure there's a local agent to assist if you have an emergency or need help. It's also worth considering volunteer travel insurance.

Altitude sickness

Are you planning to go on a hike or a trek? If you are, you'll need to think about altitude sickness. It's a condition that can happen when your body struggles to adjust to lower oxygen levels at a higher elevation.

The best way to prevent it is to stay hydrated, take your time, and stick to designated routes with your tour guide. Keep in mind, phone service can be limited in more rural areas. So, make sure someone knows where you're going and when you should be back.
Road travel

Many travellers opt to explore various South American countries by car. But, roads in South America can be in poor condition and careless driving can be common.

If you'll be exploring South America by road, make sure you're wearing your seatbelt and be wary of carjacking. For added safety, you could consider going with an official tour company.

Planning to use a taxi to get around? If you are, book through your hotel to make sure you're using a legitimate taxi company. There's safety in numbers, too. So, if you can, always travel in a group.