Alaska offers a wide variety of activities and attractions; from scenic views to adventure sports to historical sites. Whether you're visiting to see stunning natural wonders, to observe wildlife, to soak up the culture, or even just to enjoy some fresh seafood, Alaska has a little something for everybody.
As much of Alaska is quite remote, it’s especially important to be prepared for unexpected travel mishaps. One of the best ways to do this is by purchasing Alaska visitors medical insurance or travel insurance
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Alaska – FAQs
As you're planning your trip to Alaska, we highly recommend that you purchase visitors insurance. Visitors medical insurance can cover unforeseen illnesses or injuries that occur during an international trip to the United States.
Do I need visitors medical insurance for Alaska?
Most visitors to the United States are not legally required to purchase visitors medical insurance. The exception to this is those who are traveling to the US on a J visa. J visa holders are mandated by the US Department of State to have medical insurance meeting certain requirements. As a tourist, these requirements will not apply to you.
However, when you consider the cost of healthcare in the USA, and the rugged and remote landscape of Alaska, it only makes sense to protect yourself from massive medical bills with visitors medical insurance.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Alaska?
If you get sick or injured while visiting an Alaskan City like Anchorage or Juneau, you’ll have access to top-quality healthcare, but it will be extremely expensive. Visitors medical insurance is the only way most tourists in the US can afford medical treatment.
However, if your visit takes you to the Alaskan backcountry, there’s a distinct possibility that a major medical issue could necessitate emergency medical evacuation. This can cost over $200,000, so you will want to make sure that your plan offers medical evacuation coverage.
If your travel itinerary includes any adventurous sports like skiing, rafting, kayaking, or snowmobiling, you may benefit from purchasing an optional hazardous sports travel insurance package, as well. These activities can be excluded from coverage by standard visitors insurance plans.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Alaska – FAQs
Travel to Alaska can be expensive, as can be the cost of lodging and other activities. This far north, everything seems to cost a bit more. This means you’ll have to shell out a lot of money to travel here; money that you may not be able to get back if you have to cancel your trip. To protect this sizeable investment, be sure to have Alaska trip cancellation insurance.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Alaska travel?
Most major prepaid trip expenses are either nonrefundable, or charge large cancellation fees. This includes airfare, hotels, tour bookings, and more. If you have to cancel your trip, you may not be able to get the majority of your money back; leaving you paying for a vacation you cannot take.
Trip cancellation insurance can help. It can reimburse you for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip to Alaska for a covered reason.
What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for Alaska?
In addition to coverage for trip cancellation, an Alaska travel insurance plan can cover instances related to emergency medical care, travel delay, trip interruption, and more.
The exact coverage offered will vary depending upon the plan you choose, so be sure to use this website to compare multiple Alaska travel insurance policies.
Alaska’s Most Popular Activities for Travelers
The Great Outdoors
Alaska is a prime ecotourism destination. Day cruises offer unforgettable views of glaciers and marine wildlife. Flightseeing tours in helicopters and small passenger planes provide a bird's-eye view of the region's most remote, inaccessible natural wonders. Similarly, aerial bear viewing tours will get you up close and personal with groups of brown bears in their natural habitat. If you happen to be in Alaska at the right time of year, the Alaska Northern Lights are simply unmissable. From guided hiking to dog sledding, rafting and kayaking to fishing charters, an Alaskan vacation is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park, located halfway between Anchorage and Fairbanks, is home to grizzly bears, wolves, reindeer, elk, more than 150 bird species, and sled dog kennels. It offers six million acres of river valleys, tundra, high alpine ranges, and glaciers. It's also home to the highest mountain in North America, Denali, sometimes known as Mount McKinley. The peak gained the latter name in 1896 when a gold prospector coined it after presidential candidate William McKinley. The re-naming was a point of contention among locals for some time, and the U.S. government changed its official name back to Denali in 2015.
The Tracy Arm Fjord
The Tracy Arm Fjord, rimmed with glaciers and dotted with icebergs, is a popular site for cruise ships and boat tours. The fjord lies within the Tongass National Forest and leads to the Sawyer Glaciers. Finally, Kenai Fjords National Park provides some of the best sightseeing views in Alaska, including the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield.
Museums and History
Alaska offers just as many attractions as it does excursions. Museums include the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, the Museum of the North in Fairbanks, and the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. Historical sites include Crow Creek Mine (open from May 15 to Sept. 15 each year), the Kennicott Mine & Ghost Town Walking Tour, Fort William H. Seward, and Anchorage's Four Original Neighborhoods.
Car and Rail Tours
If you'd rather set your own pace, there are a number of scenic drives allowing you to appreciate roadside glaciers, breathtaking valleys, and coastal panoramas from your own (or rental) vehicle. Popular routes include Parks Highway, Seward Highway, Glenn Highway, the Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive, Denali Park Road, and the Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive.
On a similar note, as much of the region remains unconnected to the American highway system, Alaska offers numerous tours by rail. Glass-domed train cars allow for full views of passing mountains, forests, and glaciers. Many rail tours have a tour guide who rides along to indicate points of interest and offer tidbits about local history. Rail tours are available as both single-day trips and multi-day excursions.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Alaska
Although Alaska is a US state and quite safe overall, its sheer size and remoteness mean that there are certain guidelines to keep in mind.
Wildlife Safety
Alaska is home to both moose and grizzly bears. Both of these massive animals can easily injure or kill if they feel threatened. When exploring the wilderness, take care to give native wildlife plenty of space. If you are camping, keep all of your food hung safely in a bear bag, and carry effective bear spray whenever you are in the backcountry.
Best Time to Visit Alaska
Unless you’re after a winter adventure, mid-May to early September is the best time to visit Alaska. Outside of these months, significant snowfall, blizzards, and bone-chilling temperatures can make for a cold visit.
Budget Extra Travel Time
The state of Alaska is nearly as large as the country of India. Attractions are extremely spread out, and travel can take a long time. For instance, if you are staying in Anchorage and want to visit Denali, expect 10 hours of driving, round-trip. Leave plenty of room in your itinerary for travel, and just enjoy the scenery.
Petty Crime
In larger cities like Anchorage, the possibility of pickpocketing or mugging exists just as in any other city. Take care to secure your valuables at all times, and do not carry extra equipment in urban areas that you do not need.
Register with Park Rangers
Countless tourists have gone missing or required rescue in Alaska’s vast wilderness. Never venture into the backcountry without first registering with the local park ranger’s office so they know where you are going. Also, do not travel alone. Either explore with a friend, or hire a licensed guide. Alaska’s wilderness is no place for inexperienced outdoor enthusiasts on their own.
Before You Travel to Alaska – Do This
- Check the weather forecast – No matter what time of year it is, Alaska can experience weather extremes. Pay attention to weather forecasts, and pack accordingly.
- Leave space in your itinerary – Much of Alaska is prone to nature’s whim and is quite spread out. Plan plenty of time for travel between destinations.
- Get the right insurance – Purchase visitors medical insurance or travel insurance, and ensure that it can provide coverage for all of the activities you plan to take part in while in Alaska.