New CDC requirements for arrivals to get a Covid test for entry to USA- Where to get tested

Mexican airlines

Where to get a Covid-19 test in Playa Del Carmen

Starting January 26th, 2021 the CDC requires that people entering the United States have a viral test done for Covid-19. This means that there is a little more required when you travel to Mexico. For how long this requirement will be in place is unknown, but for now, we are here for some local information on where to get a Covid-19 test in Playa Del Carmen. For those staying at all inclusive hotels, at some,  there is an effort to give  guest the tests. Since this is a new requirement, it might not be readily available at all of the all inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya, so we are providing readers with information about where you can get a test. 

Update: Since we first published this article, more all inclusive hotels are offering onsite testing, free testing and some are even offering quarantine facilities at the hotel if you test positive. 

New CDC requirements for people entering the United States

Here is exactly what the Center for Disease Control has recently announced:

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.

Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world, and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants.  With the US already in surge status, the testing requirement for air passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American public.

Before departure to the United States, a required test, combined with the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival and stay home for 7 days post-travel, will help slow the spread of COVID-19 within US communities from travel-related infections. Pre-departure testing with results known and acted upon before travel begins will help identify infected travelers before they board airplanes.

Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

“Testing does not eliminate all risk,” says CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, “but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier, and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at destinations.”

This order was signed by the CDC Director on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021.

Where to get Covid-19 test in Playa Del Carmen

Note: Please be sure you get a viral test and not other type of test. There are multiple test available at each location below. 

Cedeme

This is a clinical test result company. The cost for the viral test if 3093 pesos or about $162 USD. For more about signing up for an appointment, go to their website here

Limed

This is a clinical testing company with several locations. Test are 2,600 pesos or about $137 USD. For more about signing up for an appointment,  see their website here

Centro Quimico

This is a lab testing company. You must call them to set up an appointment. Here is their website with more information. 

COSTAMED

This is a hospital in Playa Del Carmen. For setting up an appointment and more details, here is the COSTAMED website

Covid test Playa Del Carmen

Laclicsa

This is a lab company. Closed Sundays. The cost is 2695 pesos or about $141 USD. It is possible to get a mobile test and it depends on the distance to where you are for the price. To set up an appointment, go to the website here: Laclisca 

PlayaLab

This company has offices near Walmart in the downtown of Playa. The PCR test is 2250 pesos. Here is there website for more details

 

Where to get Covid-19 test in Cancun

Salud Digna

This is a very affordable option in Cancun. The test is 950 pesos or about  $50 USD.  You can make an appointment on the website. Website: Salud Digna 

Cedeme

This is a clinical test result company. The cost for the viral test if 3093 pesos or about $162 USD. For more about signing up for an appointment, go to their website here

Chopo

Chopo has several locations in the downtown of Cancun. Tests start at 2699 pesos or about $142 USD. For information and signing up for an appointment, see their website here

Limed

This is a clinical testing company with several locations. Test are 2,600 pesos or about $137 USD. For more about signing up for an appointment see their website here

Laclicsa

This is a lab company. Closed Sundays. The cost is 2695 pesos or about $141 USD. It is possible to get a mobile test and it depends on the distance to where you are for the price. To set up an appointment, go to the website here: Laclisca 

Where to get a Covid-19 test on Cozumel

Laclicsa

This is a lab company. Closed Sundays. The cost is 2695 pesos or about $141 USD. It is possible to get a mobile test and it depends on the distance to where you are for the price. To set up an appointment, go to the website here: Laclisca 

Where to get a Covid-19 test in Tulum

COSTAMED

There is a small medical clinic in Tulum. Here is a link to the COSTAMED website for Tulum

How will this affect tourism in Mexico?

This is the new question on many peoples minds. Since 2020 was so bad for tourism and Mexico is just pulling out of it, it is another hurdle to overcome to get people to visit in the new normal. Currently there is about 65-70% occupancy of what it would be during a normal year. This is not bad considering many countries remain closed to tourism or have been severely limited in the past year. Mexico officially never closed its flight arrivals to tourists, although there were about three months of little to no tourists arriving. 

For Canadians, the requirement for covid-19 tests for entry went into effect January 7th, 2021. This was on top of self quarantining, when returning to Canada. We have had very few Canadian visitors in the past 10 months, so new further restrictions from the government of Canada will not affect much here for tourism. 

The initial shock for those that have trips planned means figuring out if they want to take the risk and also shell out the costs of the test. Since this is a new requirement, we are sure the first week or two will be patchy to get everything lined up. What we might see, especially with large all inclusive hotels, are promotions of on-site testing or even included testing with a stay. 

Overall, this will keep tourism numbers lower as it highlights to the seriousness of the pandemic and what different countries are doing to slow it. What we have already heard from some travelers is, some plan on leaving the return more open ended and traveling for a while in Mexico. Since many things are cancel free these days, it gives people an opportunity to travel without getting locked into some plans. 

The next few months will be ones of more adjustments and with every changing requirements, we will be here to provide you with information you need. 

covid tests in Playa Del Carmen
This is one place you can get a Covid test in Playa Del Carmen.

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8 Comments

  1. can a US citizen purchase a rapid test and take it with them to Mexico and then take the test 3 days prior to returning to the US and provide the airlines with the results?

    • Since the results need to be done 72 hours before your departure, that might not be possible. Plus we are not sure if you can even mail that internationally. It also cost about $50 USD to send things Fedex, so that is an added cost.

  2. This is going to kill already deflated tourism numbers…The fact is, you can now get stuck after your vacation is over, which wasn’t the case before. Plus, with the amount of false positives I’ve seen with testing at work, there is just no way.

  3. “When do I need to get a test to travel to the US? And what kind of test do I need?
    Get tested no more than 3 days before your flight to the US departs. Make sure to be tested with a viral test (NAAT or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Also make sure that you receive your results before your flight departs and have documentation of your results to show the airline.”

    Antigene is ok ,it is cheaper that the PCR but in Mexico they want to do the PCR more money/ and expensive

  4. Dear CDC,

    What if you have had your 2nd vaccine shot. Does the card you carry in your purse or wallet pass, instead of the test?

    If your business trip is 3 days. You arrive, immediately take at test, expose yourself, then eventually get your test results and come home. I don’t see the logic.

    I understand what you are trying to do, but you should have a test at the airport that gives immediate results, and the ability of a 2nd test for false positives. If you aren’t ready, remove the rule until you have better logistics in place. I read turnaround time on results can be 15 minutes. Take the test at the airport when you get you boarding pass, text the result, show the result as you go through security.

    If you don’t have a phone, post result privately to security via a computer.

    • Hello Ty

      Your comments go to our website here and not the CDC. You will need to email them directly to get answers to your questions.

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