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

Back to top

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

Back to top

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

Back to top

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 [email protected] 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.

Back to top

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

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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?

Back to top

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.  🙂

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.”

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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. 🙂