Fit to Fly?: How to Get Covid Tested in El Cuyo (updated 1st July 2021)
Do I need a Covid test to travel to El Cuyo?
No. Travel within Mexico is unrestricted. Covid tests are not needed to enter the country, although there are Coronavirus screening measures at airports.
Travelling home is a different matter. Check with your airline regarding your destination requirements for test type (PCR or RDT) and time scales. These vary greatly.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most commonly used molecular test. Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. PCR tests in Mexico usually range from $950mx to $4500mx.
Rapid antigen tests (or rapid diagnostic test – RDT) detect viral proteins (antigens). Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. These tests are cheaper ($200mx to $1000mx) and offer results more quickly, although they are generally less accurate.
Can I get a Covid test in El Cuyo?
The quick and simple answer is, no you can’t. There are no testing facilities here.
Where’s the best place to get an RDT Covid test?
CANCUN and MERIDA airports have testing facilities, so if your destination only requires an RDT test (results take around 2 hours maximum), you could get to the airport early. Airport testing may only be available to international passengers on specific airlines though, so check with your airline beforehand.
Merida airport offers an appointment based service. Contact them on FACEBOOK.
In Cancun, you can’t book appointments so leave time to stand in line. For information on opening times and costs, CLICK HERE.
If you’d prefer to be better prepared and have access to a car, you could go to Tizimin or Valladolid and get your test results the day before flying. The SIMI clinics have drive-through testing by telephone appointment and results within 2 hours. For more information, CLICK HERE. You could make the most of your day and do some sightseeing too – visit the cenotes of Valladolid or the ruins at Ek Balam.
However, if you don’t have a rental car, you might be better going to CANCUN or MERIDA a day early and contacting a convenient clinic.
CLICK HERE for the US embassy’s page with links to recommended test centres.
Where’s the best place to get an PCR Covid test?
As PCR test results take up to 48 hours, you need to plan ahead, get an appointment at a clinic and make sure you’re within the time frame demanded by your airline and destination. The countdown is taken from your destination landing time, and therefore for long distance flights, even the smallest flight delay can affect your timing.
PCR tests can be easily obtained from several clinics in big cities, and in the SIMI clinic drive-throughs in Tizimin and Valladolid as mentioned above.
CLICK HERE for a list of labs providing Covid-19 Testing in Cancun. This list is provided by the local authorities and may change at any time
CLICK HERE for a list of labs providing Covid-19 Testing in Merida.
CLICK HERE for the US embassy’s page with links to recommended test centres.
Please comment below with any personal experiences and/or recommendations. Thanks