CUN Covid test experience?
 

Has anyone tried the in-airport rapid COVID test? I'm flying out of CUN in a week and not staying at a hotel that provides free testing. The local clinics want to charge anywhere from $50-$150, whereas I think the rapid test is $15 at the airport. I'm just not sure how organized or efficient the airport process is and may not risk it on the day of travel. But, the thought of arriving at CUN a little earlier and completing the test is appealing.

Thanks.

I know nothing about the airport covid test. However, I do know a great deal about Mexico. And what I know is that there's always a chance for chaos and incompetence.

You'll probably be able to get the test done at the airport with no difficulties. However, it's also possible that:

The staff doing the test at the airport goes on strike.

The testing station is inexplicably closed, with airport staff telling you "they'll be back in five minutes" for three hours.

Some critical piece of machinery breaks.

The health ministry didn't provide them with something they need, so no tests today.

The one person doing the testing tells you, "No, actually, the results don't come back for three days; the website is wrong."

You see where I'm going with this?

Pay the $50 to get it done ahead of time.

You should be able to get it even cheaper - Farmacia Similares does a rapid antigen test for $400 pesos, about $20 I would do that instead of gambling that the airport testing will run smoothly....

I am planning a trip to Cancun. I need a PCR, NAT or NAAT test to return home (rapid antigen test not accepted). The PCR tests are ridiculously expensive. Anyone have any tips on where to get a NAT or NAAT test?

I assume home is Canada but the following thread probably has applicable info: : US international arrivals, inc. Mexico, need neg. Covid tests as of 26 Jan 2021 - FlyerTalk Forums

Farmacias del Ahorro offers USG acceptable tests that are probably also CAN acceptable for $299mxn and has many locations in Cancun/Quintana Roo: Farmacias del Ahorro | FAhorro | Antigen Test | Tienda en línea a todo México.

Thank you, that is very helpful. Yes, Canada is home.

This drugstore seems to focus on the rapid antigen test, but it looks like they also offer NAAT tests. No idea what the cost is, and whether it is offered at all locations. We may have to find out when we get there, and unfortunately, we're only there for 4 nights, but it's a start! Thanks again.

I also found this website which could be useful to others.

https://www.cancuniairport.com/covid...-surroundings/

Just to close the loop on this, I couldn’t find any locations in Cancun Hotel Zone area that offered NAAT tests. Many of the places I checked (Ahorro Pharmacy, JW Marriott, Marriott) didn’t even offer a PCR test! I took a PCR test at the Westin Resort which cost me US$90. I got my results in about 10 hrs.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...94b1f0ad8.jpeg
There was also this place along the beach which I could have used, I guess. :)

We did an antigen test in Playa del Carmen, where you can go to local pharmacies or testing points. The prices varies but should not be more than 400 pesos per test. they work fast and we had no troubles!

nobody should worry about finding antigen or PCR tests here in Cancun. These trailers are everywhere along the hotel zone and the price is very reasonable ($30/$90). I took the $30 antigen test, got thr Qtip jammed up my nose for 5 seconds, and received the results by email within 15 minutes. Wish it was this simple in USA. Also saw them all over PDC and Cozumel.

Unfortunately, those rapid antigen tests aren’t valid for entry into Canada.

We had a little bit of trouble finding PCR tests in Isla Mujeres but it was because it was over the New Year’s weekend and there were lines in front of several of the trailers offering the tests. The hotel stated that they had no openings on Sunday to get the test. Eventually talking to the manager we were able to get tests on Sunday afternoon for our flights on Monday. We got our results emailed at 8 PM and printed copies were in our check out information at the hotel.

By far, the biggest hassle for me was the two hour line at the JetBlue counter to show your test documents in order to get a boarding pass. It was the ONLY way to get a boarding pass. If you are flying airlines like JetBlue, Southwest, frontier, spirit, and you don’t have status with them to get in the expedited line you need to give yourself a lot of time at the Cancun airport. Especially on busy days. Terminal 4 had thousands of people waiting in hours long lines to get boarding passes on Monday.

There are literally TONS of trailers all up and down the hotel strip in Cancun offering PCR and antigen testing! If one has a big line, just keep walking until you find the next one! The pricing for antigen is quite reasonable.