Adventure Travel Advice, Please

[Skook]

Hello,

My daughter will be studying abroad in the Galapagos Islands a few months from now. I am considering getting her a policy from Global Rescue, Ripcord, MedJet Assist or some similar travel insurance company. Also, from what I've read on the web, cell phone service can be spotty in places, so I am also considering a Garmin InReach Mini 2 with some sort of text message subscription.

Does this sound about right? Anything else I should be looking into?

Thanks.

 

[Nickziegler]

I would think a travel insurance plan would be wise. My wife studied abroad in Ecuador about 10 years ago. She did travel to the galapagos Islands for some time there. It was when her parents and brother came to visit. She said she thought rhen she just got a phone and plan when she was in ecuador. She still has friends she talks to there. Seems like a safe place overall. I would just talk to your provider but if you have an inreach or zoleo that would be nice as well

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[krisgian]

That sounds like a good plan. My friend studied abroad in a remote area, and having good travel insurance was really helpful. The Garmin InReach Mini 2 with a text message subscription is also a great idea for staying in touch, especially in places with spotty cell service. Best of luck to your daughter!

 

[Macintosh]

Global rescue seems pretty good (although I never had to use it so apropriate grain of salt), I had a subscription for a while due to some travel I was doing. Make sure to research how she would get transported in an emergency and make sure the plan covers that as well as her location, helicopters are $$$$$$.

 

[Stickandrudder]

+1 on a garmin. Works great

 

[Beendare]

If my daughter was doing that I would for sure buy her a global rescue plan

 

[TaperPin]

I met a gal who at one time won some award as one of the best travel agents for that area - I don’t remember the name, Ali something? but she not only books trips there, she goes along and had been there dozens of times. She’s the type of person I’d look up for what works there and what doesn’t.

 

[eamyrick]

I would make sure she takes all basic meds and see if a local doc will give her a good antibiotic in case she cuts her foot etc unless the trip leaders have this covered. I’ve run into some issues on extended trips that were about ruined by an infected foot. Also think the Garmin is an excellent idea.

Also check out the Patagonia Stormfront waterproof backpacks. Can be a real help not to have all your gear soaked. I’ve taken one to South America on several trips.

 

[Marbles]

I personally use inReach devices. However, for someone who is traveling, rather than hoofing it into the back country, a Zoleo sounds like a better option that will integrate into daily life with fewer issues; it will send messages by the cheapest route available, wi-fi --> cell --> satellite; and you get a permeant phone number assigned to you. So, all messages can be directed through one number. The inReach is more complicated.

 

[JCS271]

I personally use inReach devices. However, for someone who is traveling, rather than hoofing it into the back country, a Zoleo sounds like a better option that will integrate into daily life with fewer issues (it will send messages by the cheapest route available, wi-fi --> cell --> satellite; and you get a permeant phone number assigned to you. So, all messages can be directed through one number. The inReach is more complicated.

This is 100% correct. Both of you will appreciate the Simplicity of the Zoleo system. The convenience of not only a dedicated phone number but also a dedicated email address cannot be overstated. I have had a Zoleo for 4 years with zero issues and much more efficiency and connection speed than my hunting partners who use several different brands of satellite messaging.