Where Can I Get a COVID Test in Cancun & The Riviera Maya?

Need a COVID test? I’ve got you covered!

Most countries now require a negative covid test upon entry (the USA included), and I expect more and more to follow suit.

For most countries this means taking a PCR test, however, based on new CDC info, it looks like Antigen tests will be acceptable to meet the new US requirement going into effect on 1/26.

Please triple-check with the country you’re entering exactly what type of negative test you will require (there’s quite a few).

Now that hotels are employing third-party labs to help implement their own testing systems for guests, it doesn’t have to be stressful. 🙂

Find our where to get your COVID test in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum and Cozumel here.

Where to Get Your COVID Test in Cancun & the Riviera Maya:

1. Resorts/Hotels Offering COVID PCR or Antigen Tests
2. Sandos Resorts
3. Blue Diamond Resorts
4. Valentin Imperial Maya
5. Excellence Resorts
6. Grupo Lomas
7. AM Resorts
8. Grand Hyatt
9. Costamed Clinic
10. Laclicsa Clinics
11. Hospiten Clinics
12. Amerimed Clinics

Additional COVID Information:

1. Who Needs a COVID Test?
2. When Do You Need to Take Your Covid Test?
3. Types of Tests Available

Without further ado…

1. Resorts/Hotels Offering COVID PCR Tests

The good news?

I suspect all hotels to offer COVID testing to their services in coming days/weeks but some of them are charging anywhere between 33-250 USD for the pleasure *eye roll*.

To save you some dollar (in these already very weird and trying times) the hotels I’ve listed in the blog linked below the resorts who are offering the Antigen test at no extra cost.

Read my NEW blog … Best Resorts Offering FREE Covid Tests here.

You can also get your PCR Nasal Tests and Antigen tests at:

2. Sandos Resorts

This hotel chain includes:

• Sandos Eco Caracol
• Sandos Cancun
• Sandos Finisteria
• Sandos Playacar

I listed Sandos first because not only are they very popular with families, affordable and all-round awesome…

They are offering the Antigen test FREE to anyone travelling to or through the USA.

Sandos are offering PCR tests at a “reduced price” to their guests (although they are yet to detail how much that is).

All tests are carried out on the property.

Incase anyone tests positive they will be granted free quarantine at the hotel for 14 days.

Specialised action protocols are in place to ensure the well-being of the affected group and guests who have been in contact with you.

If you’d like to book a Sandos hotel with us please contact us ASAP at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797

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3. Blue Diamond Resorts

• Royalton Riviera Cancun
• Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun
• Royalton CHICH Suites Cancun Resort & Spa
• Mystique Holbox Planet Hollywood Cancun

“As of January 26h, 2021 Blue Diamond Resorts will offer to US travellers free on-site COVID-19 viral tests and free Medical Assistance coverage to cover the cost of any accidents or illness including COVID-19 related medical needs.”

If you’d like to book a Blue Diamond Resort with us please contact us ASAP at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797

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4. Valentin Imperial Maya

Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya will offer the Antigen testing directly on their property starting on Jan 23rd 2021, at the cost of 33 USD per person (plus taxes) to be paid directly at the resort.

Test results will normally be received the same day, but it is recommended for guests to schedule an appointment on arrival through the concierge to be tested 48-72 hours before departure shall unexpected delays occur. 

If guests prefer PCR an appointment can be made on arrival at concierge through the Hospiten group. The price for Valentin guests is 150 USD plus taxes.

Payment is made directly at the hospital, transportation is not included and PCR will be conducted at the clinic. 

If you’d like to book a Valentine Imperial Maya Resort with us please contact us ASAP at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797

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5. Excellence Group (and Finest Hotel)

This hotel chain includes:

• Excellence Playa Mujeres
• Excellence Riviera Cancun
• Excellence El Carmen
• Excellence Punta Cana
• Excellence Oyster Bay

“the USA, Canada and other countries are now requiring negative test results before entering the country. With this said, The Excellence Collection will provide free COVID-19 tests for guest whose home countries require a negative result on arrival.

The free test is an Antigen for the USA and PCR for Canada.

Testing will be available on-site and free of charge starting on January 18th 2021 for Canada, and January 23rd 2021 for the USA. 

If you’d like to book a Excellence Resort with us please contact us ASAP at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797

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6. Grupo Lomas

This hotel chain includes:

• El Dorado
• Generations,
• Hidden beach
• Xolumado
• and El Cielo

The resorts listed here are offering the Nasal PCR test required for travelling for $233 per person, and for every extra person in that group, it is $170 USD.

There are some Ts & Cs to note:

• 4 hours of fasting before the appointment is required.
• The date and time of test must be confirmed prior to your arrival at the resort.
• The test must be prepaid.
• The test will be conducted by Laclicsa nurse who will attend the hotel/resort
• You will receive a certification in English via email
• Nasal PCR results will be available within 48 hours

If you’d like to book a Grupo Lomas Resort with us please contact us ASAP at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797

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7. AM Resorts

This hotel chain includes:

• Zoetry Resorts
• Secrets Resorts
• Breathless resorts
• Dreams Resorts
• Now Resorts
• Sunscape Resorts

“Am Resorts is proud to include free COVID-19 Antigen testing on the property at no extra costs to guests travelling to the US beginning on the 26th of January.

On-site testing will be administered by Hospiten group across the majority of our hotels.

Test results will be received the same day and guests should contact the concierge at each resort upon arrival to schedule departure testing.

For guests that require PCR, this can be arranged for a preferential cost.

In the event, a guest receives a positive test while on the property that prevents departure, the cost of quarantine at the property will be covered up to 14 days.”

If you’d like to book an AM Resort with us please contact us ASAP at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797

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8. Grand Hyatt

“At Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, the safety and wellbeing of our guests is top priority. That’s why we have partnered with Hospiten Playa del Carmen to facilitate test appointments at a preferential costs for our guests.

For more information ghplaya.concierge@hyatt.com“

If you’d like to book the Grand Hyatt with us please contact us ASAP at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797

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If you love the easiest option, then choosing a resort offering COVID testing is the answer!

Enjoy your trip, get what you pay for, and let the hotel take care of the details. 🙂

Get your COVID test booked in when you book one of these resorts with us today.

Email us at customercare@playadelcarmen.com or call us on our toll-free number at 888-537-9797

I’ll be adding more hotel options as they come in.

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9. Costamed COVID Tests

Available in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel

For ex-pats, and some locals Costamed is the go-to healthcare provider for western standard hygiene, technology, and service.

I’ve used their service a number of times, once in the middle of the night for an ear problem and I was seen to straight away – truly top-notch service!

Costamed boasts the leading medical professionals in the Mexican Caribbean with 4 hospitals in the Quintana Roo region as well as consultative complex in Mahahual and a dental office in Puerta Maya, Cozumel.

The hospitals are open 24 hours a day,  365 days per year in order to guarantee emergency care that is vital to the community and our visitors.

Each location has cutting-edge facilities and technology, and an excellent, professional and highly qualified team of bilingual certified physicians.

They are committed to serving patients with a special emphasis on safety.

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COSTAMED COVID-TESTING PRICES:

1. PCR Test (the test largely needed for travel):

$ 2,499 MXN = $126 USD  (at the clinic)

OR

At-home testing: From $ 2,849 MXN = $141 USD (if you don’t want to go to the clinic)

2. Rapid Blood Test

from $ 799 MXN = $40 USD (at the clinic)

OR home testing: From $ 1,149 MXN = $58 USD (if you don’t want to go to the clinic) 

OR At home testing + General Medicine consultation through telemedicine: from $1,449 MXN = $73 USD

3. Extended Blood Test

Blood test (IgG/IgM) + Imaging and Laboratory Studies+ General Medicine consultation

$ 2,117 MXN =$105 USD (at the clinic)

4. Rapid Antigen Test  (USA approved)

from  $ 699 MXN = $35 USD (at the clinic)

OR at-home testing: From $ 1,049 MXN = $53 USD (if you don’t want to go to the clinic) 

Not Sure Which Test To Take?

Read Costamed’s fast guide here.

This guide makes it super easy to navigate which test is the best option for you based upon your circumstances.

Simply scroll down the page until you reach “Fast Guide”.

How to Book Your Costamed COVID Test:

Ready to book your appointment and get tested?

Call the closest clinic to you on ASAP:

Cozumel. 987.872.9400

Tulum: 984.124.0830

Playa del Carmen: 984.803.7777

Puerto Morelos: 998.500.2505

Cancún: 998.561.0309

Please note:

• For the PCR test, it is necessary to submit the epidemiological form, filled in with the patient’s data. Download it here. 

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Do You Need The PCR Test For a Trip?

Some countries require a negative PCR COVID certificate no later than 48-72 hours before entry.

This means that the timing of your test matters, to make sure you get the result before your flight.

Luckily, Costamed has built a travel sampling calculator in which you simply enter your details, your airline, destination etc and it will tell you what date your sample must be taken on.

To ensure Costamed have time to see you be sure to plan as far in advance as possible.

Use Costamed’s Travel Sampling Calculator Here

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10. Laclicsa Labs

Available in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel

Laclicsa laboratories are one of the most well-known and respected clinics in the region.

They offer extensive Hospital experience in the Clinical, Microbiological and Research.

In the laboratory, they have participated in the tourism field since 1990.

They are a fundamental engine of Mexico, offering the Sanitary Control Service of Water, Food and Beverages, which allows the hotel, restaurant, aeronautical and similar branches to know the microbiological quality of the products that they offer to the consumer in order to preserve their health and at the same time maintain the prestige of their company.

I love their slogan “I attend to your need as if it were mine”.

LACLICSCA COVID-TESTING PRICES:

1. PCR Test (the test needed for travel):

$ 2,994 MXN = $150 USD  (at the clinic)

OR

At-home testing for an extra cost (they don’t detail how much extra on the website)

2. Rapid Blood Test

from $ 999 MXN = $50 USD (at the clinic)

OR

At-home testing for an extra cost (they don’t detail how much extra on the website)

3. Rapid Antigen Test (USA approved)

from  $ 1528 MXN = $65 USD (at the clinic)

OR

At-home testing for an extra cost (they don’t detail how much extra on the website)

How to Book Your Appointment

You can book your appointment via their online booking tool here.

Cancun:  998884-4839

Playa:  (984) 980-06869

Cozumel:  (987-1167405

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11. Hospiten

Available in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

Hospiten have over 50 years of experience, they own 20 private medical-hospital centres in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Panama, and attend to over 1,700,000 patients from all over the world annually with a workforce of more than 5,000 people.

The types of test available are PCR qualitative detection, which tells you whether you’re is infected or not and antibody tests, both the qualitative IgG and IgM antibody test (known as the rapid diagnostic test) and the quantitative IgG and IgM antibody test.

How to Book Your Appointment

There is limited information at this stage on their website regarding pricing.

However, on their website, they tell you to:

1. Contact Hospital via email at hospiten@hospiten.co to make a free COVID-19 video-consultation where the doctor will advise you on the best course of action and prescribe the most suitable type of test, and in the case, the test is carried out, communicate and discuss the results.

2. Once the individual clinical evaluation has been carried out, testing can be recommended for different collective groups you may have been in contact with.

This new service falls in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which recommend testing the public to be able to isolate those infected.

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12. Amerimed Clinic

Available in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel

“Amerimed Offers Antigen Testing and PCR Testing for COVID-19

Please take note of the following important information:

• These services are offered EXCLUSIVELY BY APPOINTMENT. Unfortunately, we are unable to see spontaneous patients for these services.
  We strongly suggest that you make your appointment as far in advance as possible based on your planned date of travel.
• Both tests are performed by the nasopharyngeal swab. No blood is taken and no fasting period is necessary.
• Please note that testing is in very high demand and that we cannot guarantee an appointment on your requested date in which case we would offer alternative dates. The appointment time is determined by Amerimed based on availability.
• The price of the PCR test is $ 2,850 Mexican pesos. The price of the antigen test is $ 950 Mexican pesos. Prices may change without notice and include value added tax. It is your responsibility to make an appointment for the appropriate test which may vary depending on the country you are travelling to.
• The results are delivered by email within 36 hours of taking the sample as long as it is taken before noon.
• Antigen results are emailed before 9 pm on the day the samples were collected.

To schedule an appointment:

Please fill out the form on the website with the requested information at least 72 hours before the desired date:

On the day of the test you must:

• Present an official identification
• Wear a face mask while on hospital premises (please note that face masks with a one-way valve are not allowed)
• Report to the lab 10 minutes before your appointment time
• Only people to be tested should report to the hospital
• Appointments are per person, not per family or group
• Travellers without an appointment cannot be treated as spontaneous”

If you prefer, call Amerimed on:

+52 (998) 881 34 00  Ext 3008

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Additional COVID Information

I’m dedicated to writing all there is to know about COVID and testing in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Remember – if you have any questions at all leave them for me in the comments section down below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

I’m here to help. 🙂

1. Who Needs A COVID Test?

Getting A COVID Test Is VITAL If: 

• You think you might have the virus and need to go places (so you can protect our community and minimize the spread)

• You need to show a negative PCR or Antigen COVID test result to enter a specific country when it’s time to leave Mexico (for example if you are travelling to, Canada, USA, UK, Columbia, Bali, Turks and Caicos, Cyprus, The Maldives … and many more).

USA UPDATE 13th Jan 2021: 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States.  Testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans.

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Which Countries Require Negative PCR COVID Test?

Not sure which countries require a negative test result?

Of course, this is changing all the time so the best thing to do would be to check on both your own government’s website and the country you are travelling too.

Read over all your travel documents from the airlines to because they should also be stating it there as well.

Alternatively, Google for the win!

Which Countries Require a COVID-19 PCR Test for Entry?

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2. When Do You Need to Take Your Covid Test?

Most countries require a negative test valid for a 48-72 hour window, in order to gain entry.

They also require specific tests.

The PCR is by far the most widely accepted but as of the 26th of Jan, the Antigen test will be accepted for USA air passengers too, making life just that little bit easier as you can get your results in minutes!

Hopefully, more countries also follow suit accepting the Antigen test.

Please check with your airline and country’s government before making your arrangements.

The clinics will do their best to meet your window but my best advice would be to get booked in and prepaid as early as possible and allow for an 8-hour delay in results.

Why?

Because sometimes many COVID tests will need additional testing which delays the process up to 8 hours.

3. Types of COVID Tests Available

At most clinics the following COVID-19 detection are available:

1. PCR Test (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Genetic material testing…

I have mentioned this one first because the PCR test comes with a certificate,  and is the type of test many travellers will need to permit travel to the countries requiring a negative test result.

If you arrive at a country that requires a negative PCR result, without a PCR result you will be denied entry OR have to quarantine at the government facilities for two weeks!

It is very important you check the rules, and with a little extra planning, you can ensure smooth sailing when it comes to your travel itinerary.

Not only that but it also gives you peace of mind that you are not jeopardising the local community with the risk of a potential outbreak.  🙂

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What is a PCR COVID test?

The PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is the primary test used to detect the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease in humans.

The PCR test is a molecular biology lab test, and its objective is to find genetic material from pathogens that cause diseases.

By taking a small sample of organic material, this material is maximized to identify a specific genetic chain of the agent.

For the Sars-CoV-2, a variant of the RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) is performed.

In this test, they do not analyze DNA, but instead the RNA of the pathogen.

The RNA is analyzed with a “Reverse transcriptase,” which translates into a complementary DNA.

Once this is done, it is maximized for identification.

The sample is taken through a nasopharyngeal exudate by inserting a long cotton swab through both nostrils and the throat with a rotating movement.

The PCR test is highly specific and efficient at differentiating the virus from other pathogens, and it is highly sensitive even when the pathogen is in minimal quantities and the first phases of the infection.

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2. Rapid Blood Test

Blood Test (IgG/IgM)

These test analyze immunoglobulin levels, so the cluster of different antibodies can be measured.

Our immune system, which is in charge of defending us against diseases, produces antibodies to protect us from various pathogens like bacteria, allergens, or viruses.

These antibodies are different according to what they are fighting.

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3. Extended Test

Blood test (IgG/IgM) + Imaging and Laboratory Studies+ General Medicine consultation

Besides the fast test, several physical tests can be performed.

Including:

• Chest x-rays
• General Physician consultation, etc

The fast tests contemplate a time gap between the moment you might get the disease and the moment the immune system produces antibodies, which is why a fast test can have a “NEGATIVE” result.

Still, when repeating the test after a few days, the result can be “POSITIVE.”

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4. Rapid Antigen Test

The rapid antigen test is a recently approved by WHO and the United State Government for entry to the USA.

It is a new type of diagnostic test for COVID-19.

This type of test detects the proteins in the virus’s protective layer, also known as antigens.

Once detected, it is presumed that the patient has contracted the Sars CoV-2 virus and can develop the COVID-19 disease and propagate the infection.

The antigen test is being widely used for its speed since it only takes from 20 to 30 minutes to process after the sample has been taken.

For this test, they use a completely sealed kit that contains a long swab with which the sample is taken from the nasopharynx.

Once the sample is collected, it is processed to identify the protein chains and determine the Sars CoV-2 virus’s presence.

The results are delivered as “Positive” or “Negative.”

The rapid antigen test works better within the first 7 days of suspicious symptoms for COVID-19.

After this period of time, the possibilities of delivering a false negative increase.

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If there is any more COVID related information you would like to see on this blog please do let me know in the comments section below and I will do my best to write about it. 🙂

From all the team here at PlayaDelCarmen.Com, we’re here to help you travel safe and have fun!

We’ve got this! 🙂

Reach out via customercare@playadelcarmen.com if you want to start planning your trip

OR

Call us on our toll-free number 888-537-9797 to get the best deals on resorts, tours, transport and more!