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Gabon Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Gabon. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Global Measles May 28, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Gabon.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Gabon.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to Gabon take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Gabon.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Gabon.

If rabies exposures occur while in Gabon, rabies vaccines are typically not readily available.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for all arriving travelers ≥9 months old.

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old.

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African sleeping sickness (african trypanosomiasis).

• Tsetse fly bite 
• Avoid Bug Bites

African Trypanosomiasis

African Tick-Bite Fever

African Tick-bite fever

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Mosquito bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Avoid animals

• Touching infected animals (including bats and primates) or their body fluids
• Touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person
• Touching objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus
• Avoid sick people
• Avoid animals and areas where they live

Ebola virus

• Scratched or bitten by an infected animal such as a rodent or primate
• Touching an infected animal or touching animal products, including skins and meat
• Being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing
• Touching the body fluids or rash of a person with monkeypox
• Avoid animals and animal products
• Avoid people who are sick

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Gabon, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Gabon. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Gabon include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Gabon. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Gabon’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in Gabon. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Gabon may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Gabon, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Gabon for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Countries of the world

This section provides information about the member countries of the united nations. in addition to overseas territories and dependencies., country's codes.

International phone code for Gabon: +241

Standard ISO 3166-1:

    3 letters: GAB

    2 letters (internet domain): . GA

    Digital country code 266

Standard EAN-13 (country barcode):  -

FIFA code: GAB

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Useful country information.

Land area:  99,486 sq mi (257,669 sq km);  total area:  103,346 sq mi (267,667 sq km)

Population (2022 est.):  2.279 million

Capital and largest city (2022 est.):   Libreville, 845,000

Monetary unit:   CFA Franc

National name:  Rpublique Gabonaise

Current government officials

Languages:   French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

Ethnicity/race:   Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba); other Africans and Europeans, 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality

Religions:   Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%

National Holiday:   Independence Day, August 17

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Background:

Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. Gabon's former President, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - had dominated Gabon's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). Following President BONGO's death in 2009, new elections brought Ali BONGO Ondimba, son of the former president, to power.

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Gabon Travel Advisory

Travel advisory september 28, 2023, gabon - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Updated travel advisory level due to civil unrest.

Exercise increased caution in Gabon due to civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory.

Exercise Increased Caution in:

• Libreville and Port Gentil due to crime, which can include robbery, vehicle break-ins, and residential burglaries.

There is an increased military presence throughout Libreville and other areas of Gabon. Demonstrations may occur with little or no warning. A nighttime curfew is in effect and U.S. citizens should confirm and follow instructions of local authorities.    

Read the  country information page  for additional information about travel to Gabon.

If you decide to travel to Gabon:

• Respect the curfew.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Gabon.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

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Travel Vaccines and Advice for Gabon

Gabon is one of the largest countries for transporting goods in the continent and thrives off of the oil industry.

Villages in Gabon are sparse. They are often surrounded by forest on all sides, as it is one of the most forested countries in Africa. These forests provide homes to hundreds of species of animals and plants, including a large population of gorillas.

The country is filled with various landmarks and sculptures including famous research centers and buildings.

French is the official language of Gabon and is used among all ethnic groups. The majority of the population of Gabon has Bantu origins and has over 40 tribes inhabiting the country.

The capital city of Gabon is Libreville, which was founded by freed slaves. Gabon’s other major cities include Port Gentil, Franceville, and Oyern.

Do I Need Vaccines for Gabon?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Gabon. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Gabon: COVID-19 , hepatitis A , hepatitis B , typhoid , yellow fever , rabies , meningitis , polio , measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) , Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) , chickenpox , shingles , pneumonia and influenza .

See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:

• COVID-19 – Airborne – Recommended for all travellers
• Hepatitis A – Food & Water – Recommended for most travellers
• Hepatitis B – Blood & Body Fluids – Accelerated schedule available
• Typhoid – Food & Water – Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
• Yellow Fever – Mosquito – Required for all travellers over 1 year of age.
• Rabies – Saliva of Infected Animals – High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.
• Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) – Various Vectors – Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
• TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) – Wounds & Airborne – Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
• Chickenpox – Direct Contact & Airborne – Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
• Shingles – Direct Contact – Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
• Pneumonia – Airborne – Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
• Influenza – Airborne – Vaccine components change annually.
• Meningitis – Airborne & Direct Contact – Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students.
• Polio – Food & Water – Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.

See the tables below for more information:

Yellow fever is a serious risk in Gabon. Make sure you’re protected with a vaccination. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required for entry to Gabon.

Malaria is present in Gabon. Be sure to take antimalarials with you as part of your travel kit. A Passport Health travel specialist can help you identify your risk factors for the disease.

Dengue and chikungunya are two more mosquito-borne diseases found in Gabon. Both are preventable through proper use of repellents, netting and wearing proper clothing.

Medical facilities in urban areas may meet some needs, but they are limited. Medical facilities expect payment before services and do not accept credit cards. Medical facilities can not be found in rural areas.

Make sure to bring your own prescription and medicine as they will most likely not be available in Gabon.

If you have any questions about travelling to Gabon or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.

Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Gabon?

A visa is required for entry to Gabon. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required for entry.

Sources: Embassy of Gabon and Canadian Travel and Tourism

The passport must be valid for at least six months to enter Gabon. It is best to get a visa before leaving on your trip.

Gabon may deny entry to travellers coming from countries that are affected by the Ebola virus.

Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.

What is the Climate Like in Gabon?

Gabon has a tropical climate that is hot and has a high humidity throughout the year. There are no seasons in Gabon, but there are wet and dry seasons.

Between June and September, there is little to no rainfall, but it is still humid. From February to May, rainfall is common and heavy.

Temperatures range in Gabon from 22 to 30 degrees.

How Safe is Gabon?

While in Gabon, you should avoid large rallies, especially political ones. Police may use force and tear gas to break up crowds. Travellers should also avoid beaches after dark.

Petty theft such as pick-pocketing are the most common crimes that tourists experience.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

Gorillas in Gabon

Gabon is home to the highest, concentrated number of gorillas in the world. It hold almost 80% of the world’s gorilla population.

Gorilla trekking and rain forest trails are available for tourists to see them in the wild.

If you want to see gorillas, it is best to travel in late October through February due to the larger amount of fruit available for them to eat.

Outside of the jungle, there have also been rare sightings of gorillas on beaches.

What Should I Take To Gabon?

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Gabon:

• Mosquito net to prevent malaria.
• Prescription and medicine should be packed for they are not available in Gabon.
• Light, cotton clothing for the humid/warm weather.
• Voltage regulators. Voltage can fluctuate, so bring a regulator to protect your electronics.

Canadian Embassy in Gabon

Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Gabon, the information for the Canadian consulate is:

Canadian Embassy Libreville Quartier Batterie IV, Pont de Gué-Gué, 1st street behind the European Union, Libreville, Gabon Tel.: (241) 01 44 29 65/(Cell) (241) 07 73 64 20 /(241) 05 32 06 58 (Honcon)/(241) 07 37 02 42 (ass’t)

Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now !

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On This Page: Do I Need Vaccines for Gabon? Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Gabon? What is the Climate Like in Gabon? How Safe is Gabon? Gorillas in Gabon What Should I Take To Gabon? Canadian Embassy in Gabon

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Gabon Travel and Tours

Gabon Travel and Tours offers a wide variety of tours in Gabon, focusing on quality, honesty and offering the best service in the country. Gabon is a tough nut to crack, as together with its neighbouring countries it has little infrastructure and apart from a few high-end lodges, barely any tourism. Prices in the country are notoriously high, even sometimes exceeding the ones in the two Congos. The country has a lot of challenges such as bad roads, heavy rains and barely any hotels which are to western standards.

Our agency offers over thirty tours all over the country and we can also help you with tailored expeditions, car and boat rental, as well as chartering planes and helicopters. We’re also capable of helping out film crews getting the necessary paperwork to shoot their documentaries and take care of their logistics

Come see it all safely and affordably with us!

Our company consists of local and international Gabon-enthusiasts each with their own speciality. For Libreville we have our younger crew ready to show you the city and introducing you to anything new what is popping. For the national parks you can go with one of our many experienced guides and researchers who were all born and raised in Gabon and have decades of experience traveling and exploring the countries in all its deepest corners. As two of our crew members are geologists having mapped all the outskirts of the country, our team has an extensive knowledge of the country and are extremely resourceful for any film crews or researchers coming to the country, as well as wildlife and plant enthusiasts looking for specific experiences.

Laze the Beaches or Blaze the Paths in Gabon!

Tourism in Gabon is slowly commencing, though paused by the pandemic, and the first lodges and hotels with western standards are popping up. There is a strong focus on ecotourism and the country has a few unique activities such as sport fishing and locations such as pristine beaches and deep forests which are impossible to beat by any other countries. It also boasts a wide variety of wildlife and it’s the only place in the world where you can see large mammals such as hippos, elephants, buffalos, gorillas and leopards stroll on the beach.

Because it’s such a hard country to travel with remote destinations, it also means that you are completely off the beaten path and will often be the sole visitor in the national parks or the tropical beaches. It’s perfect if you’re looking for authentic adventures, escaping the classic tourist routine. Explore a country full of untouched rainforest, stand eye to eye with a gorilla, watch the largest gatherings of mandrills in the world and see elephants walking on the beach. Come join us on our trips with our professional guides and see what this fantastic country has to offer. Choose from our different packages or contact us for your own customised trip. Our tours are 100 % reliable and safe and we’ll do everything for you to have the adventure of a lifetime. Thank you for your interest and choosing us as your travel agency.

• Coastal Adventure (7 days)
• Port Gentil and Omboué Exploration
• Five-Day Fishing Adventure
• Eco-Camping at Lopé National Park (BUDGET)
• Coast to Jungle Epic Exotic Eco-Expedition (BUDGET)
• Kongou Waterfalls: Eco-tourism at Ivindo National Park (BUDGET)
• Ivindo Deep Forest Exploration: Budget EcoTour in Momba Baï
• Ivindo-Langoué: Ultimate Exploration Trip
• Essential Rainforest Exo-Exploration: Lopé and Ivindo National Park Budget Tour
• Turtles and Whales at Pongara National Park
• The Surfing Hippos of Loango National Park
• Fishing Adventure at Loango National Park
• The Southern Circuit: Batéké National Park, Lékédi and Poubara Falls
• Gorilla Budget Tour in Gabon: Moukalaba-Doudou NP
• Budget Wildlife Tour In Gabon: Gorillas And Lake Oguemoué
• The Gorillas of Moukalaba-Doudou And Coastal Escape In Mayumba
• Grand Budget Tour in Gabon: Gorilla Tracking, Safari And Mayumba
• Two-Day Budget Safari at Wonga Wongue Reserve
• Three-Day Budget Safari at Wonga Wongue Reserve
• Two Days of Luxury Relaxing in Pongara National Park
• Port-Gentil Tropical Island Escape (4 days)
• Two-Day Fishing Adventure
• Albert Schweitzer Circuit (2 days)
• Ecotourism in the Heart of Gabon: Lambarene and Lake Ogouémoué
• Crystal Mountains National Park: Two-Day Budget Exploration
• Gabon Complete Helicopter Safari
• Akanda National Park Overnight
• Tropical Escape near Libreville
• The Hunt for Gabon’s Big Fish
• Whale Watching
• Gabon from the Sky: Epic Helicopter Adventure
• Libreville Guided City Tour
• Jetski-Adventure in Libreville
• Quad and Buggy Adventure in Pointe-Denis
• Paramotor Adventures in Libreville
• Gabonese Cooking Workshop
• Port-Gentil Half Day Tour
• Day Tour at Akanda National Park: Raponda Walker, close to Libreville
• Ndossi Village Relaxation Day in Akanda National Park outside of Libreville
• Visa Service for Gabon
• Car Rental in Gabon
• Cheap daily car rental in Libreville
• Private boat rental in Gabon
• Private plane and helicopter charters in Gabon
• Domestic and international flights
• Film permits and Research Projects in Gabon
• Rent A Bus In Libreville
• Private Transfer: Cameroon To Gabon
• Private Transfer: Gabon To Congo
• Boat, Yacht, Catamaran Hire in Sao Tome
• Travel in Gabon

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Enjoy the beauty of Africa wildlife!

Easy Apply with every Budget

You just have an online process in 3-easy steps and fit with every need.

Service Quality Commitment

Our 10-experienced year experts will make you a comfortable trip to Gabon

Price Guarantee and Great Deals

We have a clear price list for every need. Especially, we have special offers for a new member on their first trip with us.

The eco beauty of West Africa

Gabon's vast rainforests and vast savannahs are home to a diverse range of species that will captivate nature enthusiasts. With excellent white-sand beaches, flowing rivers, and ethereal scenery, you enjoy an Eden-like vacation experience in an unexplored corner of Africa.

Forest covers nearly 90% of Gabon. Rainforests are crucial for absorbing the globe’s climate-heating emissions and Gabon’s rainforest captures more carbon than the country emits. Eco-tourism activities in Gabon are a diverse, multi-type, and traveler-friendly destination. Every global traveler wishes to go and explore the ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda that known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beauty combined tropical rainforests and relict savannahs, it’s home to a wide diversity of species including endangered large mammals.

Take Well-Prepared Backpacking to Gabon!

Top trending attractions, loango national park.

Known as one of the amazing destinations for eco-tourism on this planet, Loango National Park offers these wild animals access to the sea. Travelers can take sight of the breathtaking lush green landscape and eye-catching wildlife in this fabulous park. Not only enjoy the beauty of 200 km along the coastline and rare completely wild coastal regions, but travelers also participate in a ‘Catch and release fishing program’ organized at this park to catch and release marine creatures, such as rouge, sharks, barracuda, and other amazing fishes.

WHALE WATCHING

From mid-July to mid-September, humpback whales visit the coastline of Loango National Park.

WALKING SAFARIS

You can encounter wildlife such as elephants and buffalo, but even more so, discover the more inconspicuous forest animals and birds.

GORILLA TREKKING

Go on a rare opportunity to find the habituated Western Lowland Gorilla's of Loango National Park.

Lopé National Park

The oldest and most amazing ecosystem on the African continent. The national park is the habitat to around 1400 endangered mandrills and 420 bird species, as well as western gorillas, sun-tailed guenon, black colobus, chimps, and forest elephants, which flourish in the forest gallery and fingers of lush, misty savannah. The wet seasons from February to May and October to November provide the finest opportunities for animal encounters. During the dry season, from July to August, there will be a spectacular gathering of mandrills.

Safari Exploration

Its biodiversity as it includes 50 local gorillas, mandrills, chimpanzees and many more.

Mikongo Camping

Tourist accommodation and Lope Hotel which is the only hotel in Lope National Park

The Trans Gabon Railway

If you’re travelling directly to Lopé from Libreville, The Trans Gabon Railway offers the most comfortable experience.

Ivindo National Park

With its deep forests, majestic rivers, and thunderous waterfalls; Kongou, Mingouli, and Djidji. Ivindo National Park uncovers some of Gabon's most amazing and hidden wildlife. Except for the amazing wildlife that gathers in the forests, along the river banks, and at Langoué Ba — the fifth biggest forest clearing in equatorial Africa and one of the world's most pristine ecosystems — little disturbs its trance.

Forest Camp

Kongou Forest Camp is an authentic ‘nature’ camp that shelters in the shade of rainforest within striking distance of Kongou Falls.

Go Wildlife

Some of the popular animals in the park include gorillas, bongo, red river hog, leopard, giant pangolin, slender snouted crocodile, chimpanzees, sitatungas, buffalo and elephant.

Kongou Waterfalls

The Kongou waterfalls, situated in the heart of the Ivindo National Park, are among the most beautiful and impressive waterfalls in the African forests.

Start your journey with Travel Experts today!

Our professional advisors will let you know of the perfect itinerary.

Gabon Best Travel Moments

10000+ happy moments.

Me and my friends feel great here, Vietnamese people are really friendly and the scenery is amazing. Thanks to Vietnam Travel Consultant enthusiastically supported us. I will definitely come back here for a second time

It is truly the most comfortable and convenient travel trip I have ever experienced. Vietnam is really beautiful and the experiences here are wonderful. Thank you guys for helping me get here.

Cristiano Silva

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• Travel Insurance
• Best Covid Travel Insurance Plans

Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans Of 2024

Updated: Jun 1, 2024, 10:28am

Travel Insured, World Trips and Seven Corners are the best Covid-19 travel insurance companies, based on our analysis.

Most travel insurance policies cover Covid-related issues like any other illness, but they don’t all provide top-notch benefits. The best policies have at least $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage and $100,000 in medical expense benefits. They also offer “cancel for any reason” upgrades so you can change your mind about your trip if you’re worried about Covid. 

To determine the best Covid travel insurance plans, we evaluated the features and costs of 23 travel insurance policies.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate insurance companies, so all companies are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.

• 23 travel insurance policies evaluated
• 161 rates for CFAR travel insurance policies crunched
• 102 years of insurance experience on the editorial team

Considering Travel Insurance?

Via Forbes Advisor's Website

• Best Travel Insurance Companies
• Cheapest Travel Insurance Plans
• Best Senior Travel Insurance
• Best Annual Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Medical Insurance

Compare Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans

Best covid travel insurance policies, summary: best covid-19 travel insurance ratings, tips for the pandemic traveler, how to buy a pandemic travel insurance plan, how much does covid travel insurance cost, how to get quarantine reimbursement from travel insurance, methodology, best pandemic travel insurance frequently asked questions (faqs), next up in travel insurance, compare & buy travel insurance.

• Travel Insured – Worldwide Trip Protector
• WorldTrips – Atlas Journey Premier/Atlas Journey Preferred
• Seven Corners – Trip Protection Choice/Trip Protection Basic
• Tin Leg – Gold
• AIG – Travel Guard Deluxe
• John Hancock Insurance Agency – Silver
• Nationwide – Cruise Luxury
• USI Affinity Insurance Services – Ruby

Travel Insured International

Best pandemic plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

CFAR reimbursement

75% of insured trip cost

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

If lower medical expense coverage limits suffice, Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector plan offers superior evacuation benefits at a competitive average price compared to other top-rated plans.

More: Travel Insured International Travel Insurance Review

• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• Top-notch non-medical evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
• Good travel delay and baggage delay benefits kick in after just a 3-hour delay.
• Excellent hurricane and weather coverage after a 6-hour delay.
• Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is low compared to top competitors but might be enough for your needs.

Best Pandemic plan

Atlas Journey Premier

$150,000/$1 million

The Atlas Journey Premier plan provides robust coverage across the board for a low average cost. It has excellent missed connection coverage and medical evacuation benefits. Available upgrades include extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, destination weddings, hunting and fishing equipment and more.

The Atlas Journey Preferred plan also earned 5 stars. It has lower medical expense limits ($100,000) than the Premier plan, but also costs less—its average price was the second lowest among top-scoring policies evaluated.

More: WorldTrips travel insurance review

• Superior evacuation coverage of $1 million.
• Superior travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after 5-hour delay.
• Excellent baggage loss benefits of $2,000 per person.
• Baggage delay benefits are good at $500 per person, but require a 12-hour waiting period.

Seven Corners

Trip Protection Choice

$500,000/$1 million

Those looking for an all-around exceptional package of benefits—including top-notch medical expense and evacuation coverage—should consider Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan.

Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic policy was also awarded 4.5 stars. It has lower medical expenses ($100,000) and evacuation limits ($250,000) than the Choice plan, but has the lowest average price among all Covid travel insurance plans assessed.

More: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

• Superior medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits.
• Superior travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay compared to some competitors’ policies that require only 6-, 12- or 24-hour delays.

Medical expenses/medical evacuation limits per person

$500,000/$500,000

Tin Leg’s Gold plan provides ample levels of medical and evacuation coverage to give you solid protection if you contract Covid or experience other medical issues during your trip.

More: Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review

• Excellent medical evacuation and travel medical expense coverage limits.
• Decent trip interruption benefits.
• Short waiting period of 6 hours for travel delay benefits.
• Baggage delay coverage doesn’t kick in until 24 hours of delay.
• Has the highest average cost among top-scoring plans evaluated.

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

Travel Guard Deluxe

50% or 70% of insured trip cost

Optional pet, wedding, security, baggage, medical, adventures sports and travel inconvenience upgrades allow you to customize this AIG policy to your needs. Additionally, the Travel Guard Deluxe policy includes benefits if, under certain conditions, you must start your trip earlier than planned—a feature not found in all policies.

More: AIG Travel Insurance Review

• Includes $100,000 for security evacuation and superior medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.
• Provides up to $750 for “travel inconveniences,” such as flight delay to your return destination, runway delays and cruise diversions.
• Has good travel delay coverage of $1,000, with a short waiting period of 5 hours.
• Medical expense coverage of $100,000 is on the low side, but might be adequate for your needs, or you can pay to boost limits with a medical bundle upgrade.

John Hancock Insurance Agency

$100,000/$500,000

John Hancock’s Silver policy provides decent coverage at a below-average price. Medical evacuation coverage is generous and the policy includes good missed connection coverage.

More: John Hancock Insurance Agency Travel Insurance Review

• Missed connection benefits of $750 per person after a 3-hour waiting delay.
• Travel delay benefits kick in after a 6-hour delay.
• Includes $100,000 per person in 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
• Medical expense limit of $100,000 is OK but lower than many other travel insurance policies.

Top-scoring plan

Cruise Luxury

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan provides an array of extensive benefits at a decent price, including superior missed connection coverage and emergency and non-medical evacuation benefits.

More: Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

• Includes $25,000 in non-medical evacuation benefits.
• Pretty good baggage delay benefits of $1,000 per person.
• Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person covered after only a 6-hour delay.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 6- or 12-hour delay requirement.

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services

$250,000/$500,000

USI’s Ruby plan provides a variety of top-level benefits. This includes its coverage for medical and evacuation expenses.

More: USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review

• Good travel delay coverage of $1,000 per person.
• Good hurricane and weather coverage.
• Missed connection coverage for cruise and tours of $750 per person after 3-hour delay.
• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade not available.
• Baggage delay coverage is on the low side at $300 per person and requires a 12-hour delay for benefits to start.

The best Covid-19 travel insurance policies all offer a “cancel for any reason” travel insurance upgrade that provides 75% reimbursement of your insured trip cost. The best policies also provide at least $100,000 in travel medical expense insurance and $250,000 in medical evacuation benefits.

Many travel insurance policies offer good medical coverage, but not all cover Covid-related problems. If that’s important to you, make sure to verify that the policy you’re buying has travel medical insurance that specifically covers you in case you contract Covid. To find the best Covid-19 travel insurance policies, we evaluated only plans with at least $50,000 per person for medical coverage.

Sudden travel bans and unexpected quarantine requirements can also derail your trip, but standard travel insurance won’t generally cover these problems. Buying “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance will give you some reimbursement no matter what your reason for canceling.

Add “cancel for any reason” coverage shortly after your first trip deposit if you want it. You may have only a couple weeks before the option expires for your plan.

Also, some destinations abroad have medical coverage requirements for incoming travelers. Confirm the medical coverage requirements you’ll need for your destination, if any, before you buy a travel insurance policy.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Covid-19?

Most travel insurance policies provide trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance if you test positive for Covid and need to cancel or are required by a doctor to quarantine. That means if your trip is canceled or interrupted because you test positive for Covid, you can be reimbursed for pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs.

Most medical travel insurance covers you if you contract the virus during your trip and need medical attention. You can be reimbursed up to the limits in your policy for doctor and hospital bills, lab work and medicine, among other types of treatment.

Generally, travel insurance companies are treating Covid-19 like any other illness, but not all do. Epidemics and pandemics can be considered “foreseeable events” once declared by federal or international health agencies, which means in some cases travel insurance benefits may not apply. That’s why it’s imperative to review your policy for any possible exclusions.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Quarantine?

There are travel insurance policies that can cover unexpected expenses if you have to quarantine in another country. But in order for any benefits to apply for most of these plans, you must test positive for Covid-19 and your travel insurance plan must cover Covid-related expenses.

If you get sick abroad from the virus, a plan’s travel medical benefits can also kick in if it’s travel insurance that covers Covid-19.

Travel insurance policies that provide benefits if a traveler contracts Covid-19 can also extend their coverage past the original return date, typically up to seven days.

Quarantine-Related Travel Insurance Coverage

The following travel insurance benefits can offer coverage for the costs of quarantining, assuming the plan covers Covid-19 expenses.

Travel Delay Insurance

Travel delay insurance can cover the cost of your accommodations and meals during a quarantine if you have contracted the virus. If you are forced to stay beyond your return date due to a positive test, this coverage can be extended for up to seven days.

Policies with this benefit usually provide a range of total coverage between $100 and $2,000 per person, with a daily limit that ranges from $50 to $300.

Trip Interruption Travel Insurance

Trip interruption travel insurance will reimburse you for missed portions of your trip if you’re forced into quarantine due to a positive Covid test. It can cover 100% to 200% of your prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, depending on the policy.

For example, Trawick International’s Safe Travels Voyager Plan covers expenses if you’re forced to quarantine domestically or abroad due to a positive Covid test. “These plans may also provide reimbursement for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation expenses incurred if you are injured or sick while traveling on your trip,” says Bailey Foster, a spokesperson for Trawick International .

‘Cancel for Any Reason’ (CFAR) Travel Insurance

Consider a plan that lets you upgrade with “cancel for any reason” travel insurance . This upgrade usually adds 50% to your travel insurance cost, but it will allow you to cancel your trip for any reason and get some reimbursement (usually 75%) of lost trip costs.

Your reason could be Covid-related, such as finding out that there’s a spike of Covid at your destination. Or your reason could be unrelated—for example, you could make a CFAR claim because you don’t like the rainy outlook at your beach resort.

If you want CFAR coverage, make sure to buy a travel insurance plan and add CFAR soon after you make your first trip deposit. There’s usually a purchase deadline for CFAR, such as two weeks.

‘Interruption for Any Reason’ Travel Insurance

If you’re concerned about being forced into a quarantine while on your trip due to a positive Covid test , standard trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for parts of your trip that you miss—if your plan has coverage for Covid. For instance, you can file a claim under trip interruption benefits if you paid in advance for non-refundable hotel stays, tours or entertainment and can’t participate because you have the virus and have to quarantine.

But what if you don’t have Covid and are required to comply with a mandatory quarantine? That’s where “interruption for any reason” travel insurance would help. “Interruption for any reason” coverage is offered as an upgrade from some travel insurance companies. If you have this upgrade, you can be reimbursed for portions of your trip that you miss if you have to quarantine but don’t have Covid. It can also pay for transportation expenses to get you caught up to your planned itinerary.

“Interruption for any reason” isn’t a common benefit, but the following companies offer it on some plans: iTravelInsured , Nationwide, Seven Corners, Travel Insured International and WorldTrips.

Other Travel Insurance Benefits to Consider

The best Covid travel insurance policies will also include coverage for:

• Travel delays, such as extra expenses when you’re stuck in an airport due to weather problems
• Missed connections travel insurance
• Baggage insurance , which covers lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal items

The average cost of Covid travel insurance is $733 per trip , based on Forbes Advisor’s analysis of 23 pandemic travel insurance plans that include “cancel for any reason” travel insurance.

The average cost per trip for the Best Covid travel insurance policies ranges from $502 to $748.

If you need to make a travel insurance claim related to a Covid quarantine, be prepared to have these documents:

• Collect documentation if the policy requires a positive Covid test or direct exposure to the virus. In either case, you must be able to provide proof of your test or exposure, such as a note from a doctor, in addition to all receipts verifying their expenses.
• Provide documentation that your test or exposure required a quarantine.
• Save your receipts for medical bills and lodging expenses so that you can submit them with your insurance claim.

To find the best travel insurance for Covid, Forbes Advisor researched travel insurance purchase data. Each travel insurance policy evaluated had to have coverage for Covid and offer CFAR, and was scored based on these factors:

Cost of travel insurance plan with “cancel for any reason” upgrade (50% of score): We analyzed travel insurance costs for a variety of traveler ages and trip costs in order to develop an average price for each policy.

Medical expense coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies earned points based on their levels of medical coverage. Those with medical expense coverage of $250,000 or more were scored the highest.

Medical evacuation coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies earned points based on their levels of medical evacuation coverage. Those with medical evacuation coverage of $500,000 or more were scored the highest.

“Cancel for any reason” travel insurance reimbursement (10% of score): Policies providing 75% reimbursement for “cancel for any reason” claims were awarded points.

“Interruption for any reason” travel insurance upgrade (10% of score): Points were awarded to policies that offer an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (5% of score): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within a required timeline.

Trip interruption reimbursement (5%): Travel insurance plans with 150% or more trip interruption reimbursement were awarded the most points.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance is worth it if you can’t afford to lose the amount of money you’ve spent on your trip for non-refundable payments. Travel insurance is also smart for anyone traveling to another country. Your U.S. health insurance plan may have little or no coverage outside the U.S. and travel medical insurance can cover your medical costs if you’re hurt or get sick during your trip.

Is my travel insurance premium refunded if I cancel my trip?

As long as you cancel your trip during the look-back period specified in your travel insurance policy (such as 10 to 14 days), you can generally get a refund. This window of time gives you the chance to further think about whether the policy is right for you.

Will my health plan cover me if I get Covid while traveling abroad?

Coverage for medical problems outside the U.S. will vary by plan. Check with your U.S. health insurance provider to see what your health plan offers for global coverage. Some plans may have limited or no coverage, or a very high out-of-network deductible.

Once you know what your health plan covers you can select the right level of travel medical insurance.

Seniors should be aware that Medicare generally doesn’t have coverage outside the U.S.

Will travel insurance cover quarantine outside the U.S.?

Travel insurance plans that have Covid-related coverage will generally cover quarantine costs during your trip.

For example, if you contract Covid during your trip and have to stay an extra five days past your departure date, these plans can reimburse you for extra costs such as the hotel bill and meals. Coverage for a quarantine is only triggered if you actually get Covid.

Be aware that if a quarantine does not extend your travel time or result in extra costs, there may be no applicable coverage. For example, if you have to quarantine during the trip but leave to go home on your original return date, you have no monetary loss to claim. “Loss of enjoyment” because of a quarantine is a legitimate gripe but is not covered by travel insurance plans.

How much money can I get back with “cancel for any reason” coverage?

“Cancel for any reason” coverage will generally reimburse 50% or 75% of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. This coverage allows you to get some reimbursement no matter what your reason is for canceling.

If your reason for cancellation is listed in your policy under standard trip cancellation benefits, you can get back 100%. These reasons can include sickness or injury of you or a travel companion, a hurricane, jury duty, job loss and more. Check the policy for the list of acceptable reasons. You may decide that you don’t need to spend the extra money for “cancel for any reason” coverage.

What coverage do I have if I cancel my trip from contracting Covid-19?

Trip cancellation travel insurance benefits generally apply if you cancel a trip because you test positive for Covid-19. You can be eligible to file a claim and be compensated for pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs.

What coverage do I have if I cancel my trip because I'm concerned about contracting Covid-19?

“Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance allows you to cancel a trip if you’re worried that you may contract Covid. Note that you must typically buy CFAR within 14 to 21 days of booking your trip, and are generally compensated 75% of your trip costs. You also must cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to be eligible to file a claim.

Does travel insurance cover missed flights due to Covid-19 Testing?

No, standard trip cancellation benefits won’t cover a cancellation because you couldn’t get a Covid test within the required timeframe before traveling. The same goes if you have an unacceptable test result, for instance from a home Covid test. Travel insurance also won’t cover you if you were unable to get results in time for your flight and can’t go.

How does a governor's declaration of a state of emergency affect my travel insurance policy?

Your travel insurance policy’s terms are usually not affected by a governor’s declaration of a state of emergency. And government-issued travel warnings at your destination are generally not covered by trip cancellation travel insurance. If your travel insurance policy doesn’t cover travel warnings, having CFAR coverage would permit you to make a cancellation claim because of concerns about travel advisories or warnings.

Is there cruise insurance with Covid coverage?

Yes, you can buy Covid travel insurance for a cruise . You’ll want to be sure the policy covers Covid-related cancellations and medical expenses, and you may want to consider buying a CFAR upgrade.

Does Allianz travel insurance cover Covid?

Yes, each Allianz travel insurance plan (except for its OneTrip Rental Car Protector) includes an endorsement for epidemic—or Covid—coverage. The endorsement adds epidemic-related problems to your trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, emergency medical expense and evacuation coverages if you cancel because you, a family member or travel companion contract an epidemic illness such as Covid.

Is Travel Guard Covid insurance available?

Yes, you can buy Travel Guard insurance policies from AIG Travel that cover Covid-related cancellations and medical issues. The Travel Guard Deluxe plan includes coverage for Covid-related trip cancellation and medical expenses and is AIG’s highest-rated policy according to Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best travel insurance companies.

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Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

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Most stock markets in the Gulf tracked global peers higher in early trading on Thursday as hopes of a September interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve firmed after softer U.S. jobs data.

Dior's Resort 2025 Footwear Was Sturdy, Sleek - and Fit for a Warrior Queen

S cotland is even rainier than England, if that's possible, and Maria Grazia Chiuri arrived prepared for the weather. For her Resort 2025 collection, Dior's creative director of womenswear sent out a battalion of black boots, and some sturdy flat shoes, during a dramatic show in the manicured gardens of Drummond Castle in Perthshire.

Protective, performance footwear is important in a place like Scotland, where the country pursuits include fly fishing, deer stalking, hunting, hiking and golf, of course. Chiuri had all of those sports in mind when she designed the collection, and gave even the stompiest of styles a glamorous edge.

The show took place on Monday night, at twilight, in the vast, Italianate gardens below the castle, which dates to the late 15th century. Models strode across the grass wearing black boots with rounded toes over colorful, argyle above-the-knee socks.

Some boots were knee-high and adorned with leather straps, buckles, silver grommet details, and lug-soles, while others resembled waders, with cheeky garter details at the top. There were rainboots, too, some of which were worn partly unzipped.

Shoes, all of which were flat, had a similar surefooted look. One Mary Jane style had thick soles and silvery studs arranged into delicate patterns while another square-toed style resembled a ballet shoe, but with thick buckled straps across the top.

The boots and shoes were worn with sculptural minidresses, lacy gowns and draped, fringed tartan dresses, capes and skirts.

Chiuri said the collection as a whole was inspired by Mary, Queen of Scots' wardrobe, "which mixed very fragile lace with velvet," and showcased a variety of contrasting materials. "In the show we mixed together sportswear with fragile materials," she added.

All the boots and shoes were versatile, and will work just as well stomping around muddy gardens as they will striding into dinner at the castle.  

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My Hunt for a Nice-Looking (and Shallow) Kitchen Cabinet

I am a renter, but if I owned my apartment I would tear everything out of the narrow galley kitchen and start from scratch. Instead, every once in a while I make some tiny change in an effort to maximize space and minimize the ick. When I moved in, my husband had been living in the apartment for several years and had set up two wooden Ikea carts on the wall opposite the sink, oven, and refrigerator to use as storage and counter space. The carts are functional and fit the space perfectly, but are not toddler-friendly and the open shelves always look cluttered and messy to me. So around the time my son turned 1, I started searching for an alternative. My criteria: something that was counter-height and comfortable for chopping, shallow, baby-proof-able (with doors to hide dangerous items, all of our clutter, and keep dust out), easy to keep clean, under $300 dollars, and attractive enough to make the whole space look better.

In the beginning I really struggled with what to call this type of product. When I searched for kitchen cabinets, I mostly found the sort of things geared towards contractors renovating a kitchen. This made me briefly consider ordering custom cabinets from Ikea with butcher-block-style counters on top. But if I was going to go that far, I figured my money would be better spent renovating the whole kitchen.

Then I started searching online for kitchen islands. They were freestanding and had convenient features like silverware drawers and paper towel roll holders. But all of them — including this very nice one from Crate and Barrel — ended up being too big for my space. The height is good, but it wasn’t shallow enough to fit in my kitchen and was a little too expensive for my budget. Plus it’s a little too modern farmhouse for my taste, but I loved the half moon stainless-steel drawer pulls, that it looks sturdy, and that it has a leaf you can pull up for extra counter space. When I went looking for something similar more in line with my budget, they all looked kind of cheap and leaned too cold and industrial-looking or like something from the set of a hokey cooking show.

After that, I played around with other search terms, trying “kitchen sideboard” and “counter height storage unit” and “bar cart with doors.” At this point I started to realize that there just aren’t that many freestanding counter-height kitchen cabinets, especially not ones slim enough for my kitchen. But there are a lot of slim metal storage cabinets with doors. These are often designed for use outdoors, because they are weatherproof, or to be used in kids’ rooms, offices, workshops, or garages, because they are durable and easy to wipe clean.

They also tend to come in more than just white, black, and brown. Mustard makes its metal lockers in three heights and 12 stylish colors. But the Midi locker, which is closest to what I was looking for, is too tall (43 inches) to make sense as a kitchen counter and the Lowdown is too low (28 inches).

I really like this outdoor storage cabinet from Ikea, and thought about buying two of them since they are so affordable. Fellow Strategist writer Emma Wartzman has one with the upper shelving unit on top in her apartment and loves it. But they’re also too short and I would have had to spend extra money on butcher blocks to add on top.

Discouraged, I had put my hunt on hold. But not too long after, the Wayfair “Way Days” sale reawakened my curiosity. That’s where I discovered that using the term “accent cabinet” would lead me to my prize. Unfortunately the decorative cut-outs on this cabinet got it vetoed by my husband.

This is the one I finally bought. It’s nearly identical to the above cabinet, but minus the cut-outs. And I have been smiling at it since assembling it (the whole process took around 45 minutes) and setting it up in our kitchen. I love how much stuff I can fit inside and how much more streamlined and airy the space looks now. It’s a bit higher than the Ikea carts, so not the perfect cutting and chopping height but I have used it (cutting board on top) to cut bread, fruit, cheese with no problems. It was incredibly easy to babyproof and came with anti-tip straps, so I am not worried about it falling on my son if he pulls too hard on the handles. Best of all, because it’s metal I can use it as an activity space for my son to play with letter and animal magnets while I cook or do dishes.

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Cutting corporate travel costs by paying employees to host colleagues

Roamr founders believe it offers a perfect fit for budget-conscious start-ups and tech firms that employ millennials and generation z-ers.

Jason O'Gorman and Stephen Dooley, co-founders of Roamr

Roamr is a corporate travel accommodation platform that helps companies cut costs by paying employees to host their colleagues instead of footing expensive hotel bills.

Under Roamr’s B2B proposition, companies can save about 30 per cent on accommodation costs while both the employee host and the person staying with them get a cut of what would otherwise have been spent on hotel rooms.

By its nature, the Roamr platform will work worldwide and will be of particular interest to companies with distributed teams. Staying with colleagues will also encourage more in-person collaboration and bonding, says Stephen Dooley who cofounded the company with Jason O’Gorman in 2023.

“Corporate travel accommodation expenses have become insanely high with hotel prices growing 10 per cent year on year,” Dooley says. “At the same time, how we work has changed with 97 per cent of tech companies now offering employees location flexibility to attract talent and boost engagement.

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“The sticking point is that while working from a different location sounds great, the cost of doing so can be prohibitive, especially if someone is paying rent or a mortgage at home. This pain point is the other side of Roamr. Our platform also provides employees with a way of swapping their homes for free with colleagues either for personal trips or for ‘workcations’ so they can make use of location flexibility policies.”

Roamr isn’t going to suit all business travellers or all companies, but the founders believe it’s a perfect fit for budget-conscious start-ups and tech companies that typically employ big cohorts of millennials and Generation Z-ers who are already comfortable with the concept of the shared economy.

Dooley says the ground has been well prepared for Roamr by companies such as Uber and Airbnb which have made consumers savvy about sharing.

[  Novel language processing system detects mental health distress in employees by analysing their speech  ]

Booking a stay on Roamr looks very much like booking a stay on any other accommodation platform except the details are only shared between colleagues within the same organisation. There are photos and a list of amenities for each property and bookings are made with a simple click.

Harnessing the power of the shared economy is a subject close to Dooley’s heart as he spent four years (as part of a PhD in financial technology) doing a deep dive into how the process of building the trust, that’s been central to the rapid adoption of the sharing model, is created. O’Gorman is a software engineer who has spent the past decade helping travel and hospitality start-ups such as RentalMatics and Cloudbeds get off the ground.

“Between us we’ve a lot of professional experience in fintech, travel and the adoption of sharing economy platforms while at a personal level we’ve felt the pain of being locked out of the opportunity to spend time working away by exorbitant accommodation costs,” Dooley says.

“For example, say a tech firm needs a Dublin-based employee in San Francisco for a month. This would cost the company around $10,000. With Roamr, a San Francisco-based colleague can host them and earn $3,000. The travelling employee also earns $3,000 for choosing Roamr over a hotel and the company saves $4,000. It is a win-win-win.”

Roamr was launched at the end of last year and has a number of paying customers. The company makes its money by charging commission on bookings made through the platform and if its customers want to offer Roamr to their employees as a perk and to arrange personal house swaps, then a SaaS fee applies.

Because of O’Gorman’s background, Roamr’s start-up costs were pinned at about €10,000, which has already been recouped. The company is currently going through the New Frontiers programme at TU Dublin and is in the process of closing out a pre-seed round of €500,000 with handpicked angel investors who bring expert domain knowledge as well as financial backing to the start-up.

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I’ve Never Checked a Bag in My 16 Years of Cruising — Shop My 15 Fool-proof Carry-on Essentials

From Mexico to the Mediterranean, I never leave port without these sure-fire items.

Travel + Leisure / Francesca Fasciglione

Even as a longtime cruiser, one of my travel nightmares is meticulously planning outfits for a cruise — and spending the entire trip without my luggage. This can actually happen if your checked bag doesn’t arrive with you because options for delivering it to you are, well, slim. What sort of airline delivery service brings it to you on a sea day in the middle of the ocean, after all? Another logistical issue is that the ship’s only in port for a few hours and timing a luggage delivery to the closest airport would be impossible . 

Long story short: Your bag could follow you from airport to airport for an entire week and you’ll never see it. Instead of spending your trip in the clothes you traveled in (or dropping serious cash on a new wardrobe), take my advice and condense your gear to a simple carry-on so you can ensure that your belongings are always with you. 

Haven't mastered the art of carry-on-only packing yet?  Here are the 15 clothing and accessories I bring on every cruise, whether I’m going to Alaska, the Mediterranean in the shoulder season, the Caribbean, or Mexico during winter. Even better, each pick is available at Amazon and prices start at $14.

Havaianas Twist T-bar Sandals 

Choose sandals with ankle straps because, trust me, you do not want to wear thong-style flip-flops for the many hours you’ll explore the ship on a sea day. I used to own a pair of these and wore them until the soles wore out. I am already shopping for my next pair. With the sand gray pair, you could wear it with a flowy, long dress for casual dinners.

Merrell Alverstone 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoes

However, for shore excursion hikes to natural wonders like Denali National Park or Virgin Islands National Park, you need a pair of comfortable athletic shoes that won’t get ruined if it rains — and you won't want to wear open-toe shoes on these activities as sandals make you more susceptible to ticks and bug bites. My Merrell hiking shoes are sturdy enough that I won’t twist an ankle. I wear these on the plane as they’re my bulkiest shoes, and they come in handy if I have to sprint to my gate on a tight layover.

Lucky Brand Wimmie Ballet Flats

On the topic of shoes, it took me a long time to find a pair of comfy black flats without thick rubber soles (skewing into casual, ugh). Heels take up more space in your luggage and stretchy ballet flats don’t provide arch support. So, what's a cruisegoer to do? I own a pair of these Lucky Brand flats and wear them with dressy slacks, skirts, and dresses for when I’ll be walking a great distance. I can’t wait to pack these for my next cruise.

Dokoto Elegant Casual Button-down Cover-up 

If you’re just bringing a carry-on, I recommend packing only one cover-up — and choosing it wisely. Polyester and rayon materials are only going to cause you to sweat on the Lido Deck. Cotton is preferred as it’s a more breathable fabric. Make sure to opt for a cover-up that can also double as a dress, like this one that's available in 15 solid shades. With the longer length, it'll provide excellent coverage to protect you from the sun and keep you looking put together when you're headed to lunch.

Cupshe Ruffled One-piece Swimsuit 

If you’re only packing one swimsuit, you can't go wrong with a one-piece. This way you can also swim with comfort, whether it’s laps at the pool or snorkeling in the ocean. At Amazon, this Cupshe bathing suit is super cute with supportive ruffled straps and flattering ruching. Its stylish design also allows it to double as a bodysuit under shorts, skirts, trousers, or jeans when you want to switch up your evening wear.

Automat Two-piece Matching Set 

If you’re like me, sea days are for roaming the ship, and logging a lot of steps at that. Instead of yoga pants and a T-shirt, a two-piece lounge set keeps the comfy vacation vibe going strong without looking too sloppy. Plus, the shirt doubles as an extra layer in air-conditioned dining rooms or when you need extra sun protection at the pool.

Zaful V-neck Ribbed Button-up Cardigan

The day before I was to board a river cruise in Burgundy, France, I realized I’d need a sweater for a temperature drop over the next few days. I popped into an H&M on the Champs-Elysées in Paris and bought a chunky-knit, cropped beige cardigan. It’s a near twin to this one from Zaful, which is $36 right now at Amazon. I pack this on cruises as cabins can get chilly. A knee-length cardigan takes up way too much room in your luggage, unless you wear it on the plane.

Zomake Ultra Lightweight Hiking Backpack

When I plan to walk while in port, I pack a bright-orange packable backpack (one that condenses to a small size) that’s different than my personal-item backpack I wore on the flight. This one is very similar to the one I own. It's stocked with plenty of pockets to hold your essentials while you explore, and it’s water-resistant in case you spill a bottle of water inside or it’s raining outside.

Kalidi Beach Mesh Tote Bag

As cute as they are, unless you plan to bring a woven straw beach bag as your purse or carry-on for the flight, it’s better to use a canvas tote bag or foldable beach bag like this one for taking a book, sunblock, sunglasses, and other items to the Lido Deck. Luckily, it's cute and functional enough to double as a beach bag once you're bag home, and you can even get away with using it as a purse while you're cruising.

Tronjori High-waist Wide-Leg Palazzo Pants

It’s nice to have a pair of black. loose-fitting, wide-leg dress slacks to wear to dinner with a tucked-in blouse or cropped top. Without drawstrings or spandex, the pants no longer look like slouchy yoga pants or loungewear. Here, the expandable waistline helps if you swell due to the heat or are indulging at the buffet. Bonus: these are wrinkle-free and easily roll up in your carry-on (but they're comfy enough to wear on the flight if you need to).

Sueani Loose V-neck Bell-sleeve Blouse

Two or three dressy tops are enough for me to mix and match with my not-so-formal pants and skirts. Instead of deciding between my short-sleeved and long-sleeved options, I like to bring three-quarter-length sleeved tops to get the best of both worlds. This top, which comes in 31 solid hues, won over Amazon shoppers with its flattering fit and versatile look. Remember: it's always solid, not patterned when only bringing a carry-on. Trust me, they'll go a long way with the rest of your cruise wardrobe. 

Lilbetter Short-sleeve V-neck Dress With Pockets

For cruises, I pack knee-length over floor-length dresses, even if they’re casual, as that extra fabric multiplied by however many dresses you bring takes up more packing room. This one — with its pockets, short sleeves, and V-neck — could easily segue from strolling in port to sitting down for dinner in a specialty restaurant on the ship. Navy blue would be a fun color to match the nautical surroundings, but it's also available in 29 other colors.

Bloggerlove Rain Jacket Hooded Trench Coat

You’re going to need a lightweight windbreaker for more than a rainstorm. The ship’s top deck can get windy at night, for example. Also, for excursions like viewing the Kenai Fjords in Seward, Alaska, it’s chilly while out on the water. Sadly, my beloved J.Crew windbreaker trench coat is now from several seasons ago, but I found one just like it on Amazon, with an elastic waist for a similar tailored look a hood, and lots of pockets. Plus, it's packable, so you don't have to wear it on the plane or worry about it hogging up space in your carry-on.

Back from Bali Women’s Sheer Shrug Cardigan

Air-conditioned dining rooms on cruise ships can get chilly, so it’s helpful to have a shrug or wrap that doesn’t bulk up your dressy outfit (or take away precious carry-on space). This lightweight cropped cardigan — particularly in the elegant beige hue — can adapt to formal and casual, while also matching with floral and neutral, dark-colored dresses.

Sungait Vintage Round Sunglasses

Don’t pack huge Jackie O-like sunglasses that require a case the size of a small lunchbox. Go for a slim, lightweight pair instead. These tortoise-shell frames would look good on anybody and are affordable enough that if you lose them while on a bumpy catamaran ride, you won’t be out a lot of money. What's more, they're polarized and block 100 percent of the sun's UVB and UVA rays.

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Messi joins Argentina for Copa América: His stats show he's ready for another title run

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi did not have to travel far Monday to report to Argentina’s Copa América training.

Argentina, the reigning 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup champions, are holding their Copa América training sessions in South Florida at Inter Miami, the MLS club which Messi calls home.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who turns 37 on June 24, will captain Argentina again for Copa América. He’ll play in two friendlies − June 9 in Chicago and June 14 in the Washington D.C. area − before the tournament begins on June 20 when they face Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

And Messi appears fit and in shape, according to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

"I think the good thing is that he has had continuity, that after the injury he has played and that is important," Scaloni told reporters on Sunday night. "We can see that he is fit and well."

Messi reported to the team hotel on Monday, after spending Sunday hanging out with fellow Inter Miami star Luis Suarez and their families, playing some indoor soccer and paddleball, while his Argentine teammates and coaches arrived in South Florida.

Argentina’s training at Inter Miami this time around feels like a full-circle moment. They first used the club’s facilities in September 2022 before their World Cup run − which proved to be a key selling point before Messi joined the club last year.

Messi is in the twilight of his storied career. The World Cup win cemented Messi’s place as one of the best − if not, the best − in the sport’s history. Messi also repeatedly said his 2022 World Cup run would be his last.

This likely will be Messi’s last Copa América, given the next one is in 2028. It could also be Messi’s last major tournament he’ll play for Argentina.

Messi will likely continue helping Argentina qualify for the 2026 World Cup later this year, but he’ll be turning 39 when that tournament begins − if he wants to play.

Messi’s stats with Inter Miami since July

Does Messi have another dominant tournament run in him? His play with Inter Miami shows he does.

Messi has shown he’s still in his prime with Inter Miami − when he’s been fit and not dealing with the lingering effects of a groin pull like he was last September to October, or a hamstring strain like he had from mid-March until April began.

Messi has played in 29 of 43 possible matches with Inter Miami since last July − missing 14 games due to rest or injury, including seven this season. Inter Miami has been unbeatable in 25 of 29 matches Messi has played, with 20 wins, five draws and four losses.

Messi isn’t playing with Kylian Mbappé or Neymar anymore, so he’s had to score more: Messi has 25 goals with 16 assists, including five assists in a match on May 4 . He scored a goal in 19 of the 29 games, and assisted in 10 of his 29 games.

Messi had a goal or assist in 23 of the 29 games he’s played. Messi had a goal and an assist in six games, including a four-game stretch from April 13-May 4 − where he scored six goals with eight assists.

It was Messi’s best stretch with Inter Miami since his first best stretch, when he had 10 goals and an assist en route to the Leagues Cup title in the first seven games of his tenure.

Messi re-joins Argentina after scoring a goal in his last two matches last week. He finished play with Inter Miami in a 3-3 draw against St. Louis last Saturday. And Inter Miami’s 3-1 loss to Atlanta United  last Wednesday was the first match where he scored a goal but his team lost since the 2-1 loss Argentina suffered to Saudi Arabia to begin the Qatar World Cup on Nov. 22, 2022.

How dominant has Messi, Argentina been?

Speaking of Argentina losses, there haven’t been many in recent years.

Argentina lost 2-0 to Uruguay last November during World Cup qualifying − their first loss since the Saudi Arabia defeat.

Before that, Messi’s last Argentina defeat was at the 2019 Copa América semifinal against Brazil.

In other words, Messi and Argentina have been dominant − losing just three times in their last 46 matches together.

This Copa América run, which could last seven matches if Argentina reaches the final, is another chance for Messi and the world champions this summer to defend their crown and exert their recent dominance.

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Other health considerations

Make sure you have travel insurance before travel to cover healthcare abroad.

Find out if there are any restrictions you need to consider if you are travelling with medicines .

Know how to access healthcare at your destination: see the GOV.UK English speaking doctors and medical facilities: worldwide list

If you feel unwell on your return home from travelling abroad, always seek advice from a healthcare professional and let them know your travel history.

Vaccinations

• Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including for example, seasonal flu vaccine (if indicated), MMR , vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
• Courses or boosters usually advised: Hepatitis A; Tetanus; Yellow Fever.
• Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis B; Meningococcal Meningitis; Rabies; Typhoid.
• Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Cholera.

Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Notes on the diseases mentioned above

Risk is higher during floods and after natural disasters, in areas with very poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water.

Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation is poor.

Risk is higher for long stays, frequent travel and for children (exposed through cuts and scratches), those who may require medical treatment during travel.

• Meningococcal Meningitis :  spread by droplet infection through close person to person contact. Meningococcal disease is found worldwide but epidemics may occur within this country, particularly during the dry season. Risk is higher for those mixing with locals for extended periods.
• Tetanus :  spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.
• Typhoid :  spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.
• Yellow Fever :  spread by the bite of an infected, day-biting mosquito. The disease is mainly found in rural areas of affected countries but outbreaks in urban areas do occur. Vaccination is usually recommended for all those who travel into risk areas. (View yellow fever risk areas here), and areas where there is an outbreak ongoing (check the 'news' section for outbreaks). In addition, certain countries may want to see proof of vaccination on an official yellow fever vaccination certificate - check above under Immunisations .

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes.You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

Malaria precautions

• Malaria risk is high throughout the year in all areas.
• Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
• Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
• See malaria map – additional information can be found by clicking on the Regional Information icon below the map.
• High risk areas: atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine  is usually advised.
• If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
• If travelling to an area remote from medical facilities, carrying standby emergency treatment for malaria may be considered.

Other Health Risks

Schistosomiasis.

There is a risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in this country.

Please be aware that the risk of COVID-19 in this country may change at short notice and also consider your risk of exposure in any transit countries and from travelling itself. 

• The 'News' section on this page will advise if significant case increases or outbreaks have occurred in this country.

Prior to travel, you should:

• Check the latest government guidance on the FCDO Foreign travel advice and country specific pages for travel to this country and the rules for entering the UK on return.
• Ensure you are up to date with UK recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination.
• You can check this in the FAQ's.
• If you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 you should carefully  consider your travel plans  and consider seeking medical advice prior to making any decisions.

For further information, see  Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)  and  COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel  pages.

• 23 May 2024 - Advice on Dengue Fever if Travelling Abroad
• 42 additional items in the news archive for this country

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