Getting sick abroad is the last thing you want on your trip！Pay attention—medical costs in these 2 countries will break your heart.

▲Getting sick abroad (Photo / Daguan / Illustration)

By Rita

Packing your bags isn’t the only important pre-travel task. It’s also crucial to know how high medical expenses could be if you fall ill at your destination—and what preparations you can make in advance.

According to a recent report by Lonely Planet,it ranks the countries with the highest and lowest medical costs for backpackers. The report points out that New Zealand is relatively more affordable and offers excellent healthcare for travelers.

But if you suffer the same injury in the United States, it can be devastating—you might find yourself in tears.The U.S. healthcare system is almost the most expensive in the world. India is also very costly, and the quality doesn’t match the price.In comparison, medical expenses in New Zealand are about 30% lower per week.

The research also mentioned that 35% of travelers don’t purchase travel insurance for emergencies, which could lead to huge medical bills. Among countries like the U.S., India, Peru, Vietnam, Thailand, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka,Sri Lanka and New Zealand offer the lowest medical costs while maintaining the highest quality of care.