Washington lies in the far northwest corner of the United States. It's often called "Washington State" to avoid confusion with Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. For tourists, the area has a balanced mix of natural beauty and urban cultural centers. The Pacific Northwest is known for its diverse geography, from beachscapes and rainforests to mountains and bustling cities. Whatever type of vacation you prefer, odds are good you can find it in Washington, and enjoy it stress-free with visitors medical insurance .
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Washington – FAQs
It’s no secret that healthcare in the United States is extremely expensive, and as an international tourist, your domestic health insurance won’t cover your medical costs here. To avoid having your bank account drained by a sudden illness or injury, you simply must have visitors medical insurance.
Do I need visitors medical insurance for Washington?
If you’re visiting Washington or any other part of the US as a tourist, visitors medical insurance isn’t legally required, but you still need it. Any trip to the hospital, doctor, or pharmacy will have to be paid for completely out of your own pocket if you do not have international insurance. This can be financially crippling if you encounter a serious medical issue while in the US.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Washington?
The reason you have health insurance at home is because you cannot predict when you might become sick or get hurt. You should apply that same logic to traveling abroad. Medical issues are unpredictable, so it’s essential to have coverage while outside your home country. For a relatively low cost, visitors medical insurance can save you a significant amount of money if you require medical care while visiting the USA.
Washington’s Most Popular Places for Travel
Olympic National Park
One of Washington's most popular getaway spots is Olympic National Park and its three distinct landscapes: the Pacific beach coastline, the temperate rainforest toward the west, and a shady deciduous forest toward the east. Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach offer driftwood-scattered beaches and scenic ocean views. The Hoh Rainforest, located along the Hoh River, is the largest temperate rainforest in the Western hemisphere. It houses a National Park Service ranger station and backcountry hiking trails; wildlife includes tree frogs, spotted owls, bobcats, cougars, black bears, and elk. The Olympic Mountains in the park's center are home to glaciers and snowfields.
Mount Rainer
Mount Rainier National Park contains the tallest peak in the state at 14,410 feet. It was established in 1899 as only the fifth national park in the U.S. The most popular destination within the park is Paradise, located on the south slope of Mount Rainier. To enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your car, try the Road to Paradise, an 83-mile loop that offers sightseeing opportunities like rainforests, waterfalls, and scenic outlooks. Another common park attraction is Sunrise, which offers a lodge, visitor center, and miles of hiking trails that pass regions like Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. Popular activities at the park include hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing.
Mount St. Helens
Finally, make sure to save time for the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, sending a cloud of ash 13 miles high, destroying about 150 square miles of forest, and killing 57 people. The volcano has long since quieted, allowing the area to be preserved for research and recreation. It's crisscrossed with hiking trails, and climbing the mountain is allowed with a permit. Visitor centers in the area contain informational exhibits about the eruption. If you visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory on a clear day, you can even see down into the crater itself.
Seattle
Washington State's largest metropolitan area and most popular urban destination is Seattle. The city's population was about 3.9 million as of 2018. Nestled in between Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, the city is packed with cultural destinations. One iconic Seattle landmark is the Space Needle, originally built for the 1962 World's Fair. It stands 605 feet high and has a 360-degree observation deck that offers picturesque views of the skyline and natural formations beyond. Pike Place Market is an outdoor food market that sells fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, and more. The market is also home to the first-ever Starbucks coffee shop, which opened in 1971.
Other Seattle attractions include Chihuly Garden and Glass, a collection of glass-blown artwork by artist Dale Chihuly; the Museum of Flight, which houses a vast collection of educational exhibits, flight-related historical artifacts, and retired airplanes, among them the first jet used as Air Force One; Olympic Sculpture Park, which displays artwork from around the globe and is free and open to the public; and Discovery Park, which comes to a head at the West Point Lighthouse overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Bellingham
Bellingham is another top tourism site, offering easy access to the San Juan Islands and North Cascades National Park. The Fairhaven Historic District is home to an old-fashioned collection of red-brick Victorian architecture, shopping, dining, strolling, and more. As the home of Western Washington University, Bellingham also has a college town feel to it; the school's campus has an Outdoor Sculpture Collection worth wandering through if you have the time. Whatcom Falls Park is a popular outdoor attraction featuring four sets of falls, walking trails, and the perfect backdrop for a scenic drive.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Washington
Washington state is a safe and inviting destination for travelers from all over the world. However, as with any location, there are some specific guidelines you should keep in mind. We’ll go over each of them.
Washington Weather
Washington is a state that’s bisected by the Cascade Mountains. West of the Cascades (where Seattle is located), the climate is moderated by the Pacific Ocean, with summer days rarely eclipsing 80°F (26°C) and winters typically no colder than around 46°F (8°C). Western Washington also receives significantly more rain, so bring an umbrella and rain boots, especially in the winter months.
Eastern Washington has more temperature extremes, where 90°F (32°C) is not uncommon in the summer, and 0°F (-18°F) is possible on the coldest winter nights. The eastern part of the state is also significantly drier, but snow is possible in the winter months.
Volcano Risks
Although the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption is most famous, Washington actually has five volcanoes that are considered a high or very high threat by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Volcanic eruptions can threaten towns and cities with deadly pyroclastic flows, rock falls, lahars, and choking ash clouds.
To stay notified of any potential threats, follow local media during your visit. You can also sign up for the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Notification Service to receive emailed updates about volcanic activity in the area you’re visiting.
Crime and Safety
Washington is currently ranked #30 out of 50 US states for violent crime, making it relatively average for the nation. The major city of Seattle has the highest crime rate, followed by Spokane. However, no unreasonable steps need to be taken to protect yourself. Simply avoid traveling to unfamiliar areas alone at night, and keep your valuables secure at all times.
Ground Transportation
Like most US states, ground transport in Washington primarily depends upon private or rented cars. Seattle does operate its Link Light Rail system with 16 stations throughout the city, and bicycling is becoming increasingly popular as a form of urban transit.
Washington also operates the largest ferry system in the United States, primarily serving destinations around Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, with a fleet of 21 ferries. Each ship can carry up to 202 vehicles and 2,500 passengers.
Best Time to Visit
As most tourists visiting Washington flock to the Pacific western side of the state, summer is the ideal time to visit. Sunshine is most abundant from July to September, and the temperatures are pleasantly warm, without being overly hot. However, keep in mind that this is the period when every tourist attraction will be at its busiest. If you can deal with some rain and cooler weather, a visit during the offseason can be less expensive and less crowded.
Before You Travel to Washington – Do This
- Put together an itinerary – There’s a lot to see and do in Washington, so you’re better off having a plan than just trying to wing it.
- Bring rain gear – Although it’s sunnier in the summer, it can rain on any day in Washington, especially west of the Cascades.
- Buy insurance – Travel can be unpredictable. And while you cannot prevent every mishap from occurring, you can be prepared for it with visitors medical insurance .