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Travel

Why Travel Insurance Is a Must — Three Travel Mishaps That Taught Me the Hard Way

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Permit fish swimming near Cozumel

Travel is one of the greatest joys in life, but accidents can happen when you least expect them.

That’s why travel insurance for medical emergencies abroad is one of the most important things you can have before leaving home.

Over the years I’ve had three travel mishaps that could have turned into financial disasters if I hadn’t had the right coverage. They taught me a lesson every traveler should understand:

Travel insurance isn’t just about lost luggage or canceled flights — it can save you thousands if you get hurt.

Here are three real experiences that changed the way I travel.

Scooter Crash in Turks and Caicos

Our first lesson happened in Turks and Caicos.

My husband and I rented a scooter to explore the island. It seemed like the perfect way to see the beaches and enjoy the tropical breeze.

Then we crashed.

My husband was wearing sandals, and when the scooter went down he ripped open the side of his foot on the pavement. It was a pretty nasty injury.

Luckily, I had been wearing water shoes, which protected my feet. I walked away with bumps and bruises, but it could have been much worse.

Medical care on islands can be expensive, and this was the moment we realized how quickly a fun vacation could turn into a medical situation.

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Coral Cut While Snorkeling in Honduras

The second incident happened while snorkeling in Honduras.

I scraped my lower right leg on coral. At first it didn’t seem like a big deal. We cleaned it and continued enjoying the trip.

But after returning home, something didn’t feel right.

My doctor diagnosed a serious bacterial infection, often called “flesh-eating bacteria.” Thankfully it was caught early and treated with antibiotics.

The medical bill added up quickly, but my travel insurance helped cover the costs.

That coral scrape could have turned into something far worse if it hadn’t been caught early.

After scraping my leg on coral while snorkeling in Honduras, I now always travel with reef-safe water shoes to protect my feet and legs when swimming near reefs.

Cenote Accident in Cozumel

The third incident happened in Cozumel, Mexico.

We were visiting a beautiful cenote and decided to jump into the water. On the jump I inhaled a huge gulp of water and quickly became very sick.

Not long after, I ended up in the emergency room.

The bill?

$9,000.

Thankfully insurance covered most of it. Because I didn’t purchase a dedicated travel insurance plan for that trip, my portion of the bill was still $500 out of pocket.

It was a powerful reminder that accidents can happen anywhere — even during something as simple as a swim.

Now, I always keep a small waterproof first aid kit in my travel bag in case something happens on a boat or while snorkeling

Why Travel Insurance Matters

First-time diver exploring colorful underwater marine life at Chankanaab Beach, Cozumel

I also keep my travel insurance paperwork and medical information in a travel document organizer so it’s easy to access in an emergency. Many travelers assume nothing will happen to them on vacation.

But injuries and medical emergencies can happen while:

• snorkeling
• riding scooters
• hiking
• swimming
• exploring unfamiliar places

And when they happen outside your home country, costs can escalate quickly.

Travel insurance designed for medical emergencies abroad can cover:

• emergency room visits
• ambulance transport
• hospital stays
• medications
• emergency evacuation if needed

Without coverage, travelers can face thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in bills.

Before traveling internationally, it’s always smart to review the latest travel health recommendations from the CDC.

Just like flying, travel conditions can change quickly. I’ve seen firsthand how unpredictable situations can become, similar to when the sky turns dangerous during flight as I shared in this story about travel emergencies and aviation challenges.

Life Stories on Film, Travel

How Jumping 20 Feet Into a Cenote Sent Me to the ER: What Tourists Need to Know

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It looked like something straight out of a dream.

Crystal-clear blue water. Limestone walls. Sunlight pouring through the opening above. The kind of place that makes you forget everything else and just jump.

So I did.

And five days later, I was in the emergency room.

Tammy Rose standing in front of cenote in Cozumel, Mexico moments before 20 foot jump travel excursion
Moments before jumping 20 feet into a cenote in Cozumel, Mexico.

The Excursion That Looked Too Good to Pass Up

Before traveling to Cozumel, I booked an excursion that included a 20-foot jump into a cenote. The photos looked incredible — travelers suspended mid-air over glowing blue water, smiling like they were in a travel magazine.

I had never done a jump like that before, but it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

There was no real warning. No talk about risks. Just climb up, step forward, and jump.

So I went for it.

I’m so glad I was wearing my GoPro during the cenote jump because it captured the entire moment-even though I had no idea at the time it would later send me to the ER. Watching it back now is unbelievable.

Before you jump, watch this: my real cenote experience and why I got sick.

The Jump

The second I hit the water, everything changed.

Instead of a smooth landing, I swallowed a large amount of water.

It went down my throat, into my nose — everywhere.

I came up coughing, but everyone around me was laughing, smiling, and swimming like nothing happened.

I brushed it off.

I wish I hadn’t. Click video below to see the jump.

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The Symptoms Didn’t Hit Right Away

At first, I felt mostly fine.

But over the next few days, things started to change.

It started with nausea.

Then fatigue.

Then I just felt… off.

Each day, it got worse.

I couldn’t understand how jumping into beautiful, clear water could make me feel this sick.

woman jumping 20 feet into cenote in Mexico adventure excursion
I‘m so glad I was wearing my GoPro during the cenote jump because it captured the entire moment-even though I had no idea at the time it would later send me to the ER. Watching it back now is unbelievable.

Five Days Later, I Ended Up in the ER

By day five, I was throwing up blood.

My husband rushed me to the hospital.

Tests showed I had picked up bacteria.

I was given medication and treatment, and thankfully, I’m now recovering.

But it was scary.

Because it all started with something that looked completely harmless.

hotel bed with blood and vomit after Tammy Rose became sick from cenote water in Cozumel Mexico
This is when I knew something was seriously wrong-five days after swallowing cenote water, I ended up in the ER.

What Many Tourists Don’t Realize About Cenotes

Cenotes are natural sinkholes.

They are not chlorinated pools.

They contain natural water — and sometimes bacteria and parasites.

Even when they look clean, they can still make you sick if you inhale or swallow the water.

Most people are fine.

But not everyone.

And I wasn’t.

According to travel health experts, natural bodies of water can contain bacteria that may cause illness if swallowed. Click here to learn more from the CDC.

Couple standing in front of a cenote

Before the jump, I left my belongings in my waterproof beach bag I brought to the cenote and kept my camera in my travel backpack I used in Mexico so everything stayed organized and protected.

My Advice to Anyone Thinking About Jumping Into a Cenote

I’m not saying don’t do it.

Just be smart.

Be careful.

Protect yourself.

And listen to your body if something feels wrong afterward.

Because what started as a 20-foot jump into paradise…

Sent me to the ER.

This wasn’t the only adventure we experienced on this trip — you can read about my full Cozumel excursion here.