Looking for a remote place to calm your frayed nerves with the serenity of nature? Time for you to visit the Marshall Islands, one of the least-visited countries in the world.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is situated in the central Pacific Ocean. The country consists of more than 1,200 islands and islets, some being the easternmost islands of Micronesia.
On its east is a chain of atolls called Ratak, meaning sunrise. On the west is another chain of atolls called Ralik, predictably meaning sunset.
When you are planning your vacation to the Marshall Islands, make sure to buy travel medical insurance as a safeguard against any unforeseen accidents, illnesses, or injuries.
Marshall Islands Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers - FAQs
U.S. Medicare and Medicaid plans do not work in the Marshall Islands. Most healthcare facilities do not accept overseas insurance coverage. You may need to pay upfront before receiving any healthcare services.
Credit card payment options are limited. Travel medical insurance for the Marshall Islands is your best bet to save money on healthcare services if you require them.
Do I need travel medical insurance for the Marshall Islands?
Nothing other than a measles vaccine is legally mandatory for entry to the Marshall Islands for international tourists. You must carry proof of your measles vaccination. This applies to all persons born after 1957, including infants aged more than six months. However, if you’re taking an international vacation, it only makes sense to have health insurance that covers you at your destination.
Why buy travel medical insurance for the Marshall Islands?
We have already listed the diseases prevalent in the Marshall Islands. Not all of them are vaccine-preventable. Dengue and the Zika virus are prime examples. Also, vaccines lower the chances of getting infected but do not rule out the possibility.
Marshall Islands travel medical insurance plan will not prevent you from getting infected, either. However, it will save you from incurring unnecessary medical costs while on vacation.
Insect bites are a common problem in these warm and moist tropical islands. Also, adventure activities like snorkeling and scuba diving are never completely free from potential hazards either.
The risks are massive, considering everything. The right choice is to buy travel medical insurance and enjoy your vacation with one less thing to worry about.
Medical facilities in the Marshall Islands are basic. It is a smart decision to purchase travel medical insurance coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Things to Do for Travelers in the Marshall Islands
You’ll be in the middle of nowhere on a series of atolls with nothing but the Pacific all around you. That in itself is a thrilling experience. You can spend time doing nothing other than soaking it all in.
If that’s not enough, here’s a list of what else you can do.
- Know Majuro In and Out: Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, spreads over 64 minuscule islands. Explore the city, or move to one of its reclusive lagoons if you want to escape the flurry.
- Visit the Alele Museum: Spend time in this tiny museum to know the different phases of Marshallese history and tradition.
- Make the Most of the Pacific: Swim, scuba dive, snorkel … There’s plenty to do and see, including the wreckage of a WWII plane.
- Go Island Hopping: Travel from island to island by boat, if you have the time. The Marshallese are expert mariners.
- Visit “The Tomb” from a Distance: And say no to nuclear weapons once and for all. What the locals refer to as “The Tomb” is a concrete dome that contains radioactive waste from the 67 nuclear bomb tests that the U.S. had conducted there between 1946 and 1958, when the Marshall Islands were still under U.S. control.
Travel Risks for International Travelers in the Marshall Islands
- Travel to the Marshall Islands is mostly safe for international tourists. Crime rates are low. Nothing more than minor thefts and occasional vandalism is likely to bother you. So a Marshall Islands travel insurance plan that covers these petty crimes is worth considering.
- There are, however, health risks that you should be careful about. There was an outbreak of mumps in the country in 2017. Get vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) before you travel.
- Hepatitis B is endemic to the Marshall Islands. Hepatitis A cases have surfaced since 2017. Get vaccinated for both.
- Insect-borne diseases like dengue and Zika are prevalent. You need to be careful about mosquito bites. Insect bites, sunburns, and dehydration are also common health hazards in the country. Be prudent, and buy Marshall Islands travel medical insurance before you pack your bags.
- Typical activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and boating across to another island involve inherent risks. As tropical islands, the country is prone to typhoons and hurricanes. Trip cancellation or interruption is always on the cards.
Before You Travel to the Marshall Islands - Do This
- Pack modest beachwear. The Marshallese are old-fashioned when it comes to women’s clothing.
- Pack loads of insect repellant and sunscreen lotion.