Covid Travel Tips: Mexico

As it is for most American citizens living in the U.S., Covid-19 has limited our travel geography to just a few countries. While it would be very easy to see this as a huge issue, we've found it to be just another opportunity to expand our adventures to include places we hadn't considered! Mexico, our sister city to the south, while not on Christopher's list of places to go, has been a frequent stay for all-inclusive vacations for Stephanie.

Being that Mexico (shocker!) a foreign country, there are always things one should be aware of, and while we all have the pandemic in our travel considerations, here are some tips to help make your travel a pleasant one.

Is a negative Covid-19 test required?

As of this writing, Mexico does not require a Covid-19 test to be taken before entering the country. However, we strongly encourage you to take one anyways, for 2 reasons: 1) as a good global citizen, you should respect your host country and take a test to reduce the risk of carrying the coronavirus into another country, and 2) in case you run into a situation in Mexico where it is required (e.g., a hotel, excursion) you will have the paperwork to put people at ease.

Once you disembark from the plane, you will go through immigration as normal.

What is it like to be in Mexico right now? Is it safe? How are they dealing with the pandemic?

In our opinion, having been to Colombia and Mexico in the past 12 months, these countries are very aware of the importance adherence to guidelines similar to what the CDC has in the U.S. This means you will find most (not all, but most) wearing masks in public, removing only briefly to eat or drink. There is also copious hand sanitizer at the threshold of restaurants, hotels, and stores. Temperature checks are not uncommon, and you will find that seating is generously spread.

In terms of general safety, for our stay in the Playa Del Carmen area, we opted for an Airbnb-hosted home in a hotel condo rather than a gated, all-inclusive resort. This gave us tremendous freedom to walk around, and at no time did we ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, from early morning to late midnight.

Will I need a negative Covid-19 test to return to the US? What if I have already had Covid? Have been vaccinated?

Quoting from the CDC website:

all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. 

We have not found anything official to support having completed the Covid-19 vaccination regimen does not obligate you to still have a negative Covid-19 test result in hand. Better to be safe than sorry!

What was your experience in finding a place to get a Covid-19 test in Mexico?

This was probably our biggest concern, finding an approved testing facility that was 1) convenient to our location (i.e., no more than 10 minutes walking distance, and 2) reasonably priced, and 3) able to get our results back to us in 24hrs or less.

Our Airbnb host assured us that this would not be a problem, and this was confirmed by our check of a few PDC-area websites and Facebook forums. In fact, our first day there we found 2 testing facilities on 5th Avenue! Both were first-come, first-serve, but promised results for the necessary test (NAAT) in a few hours.

So, the day before our scheduled departure, we had breakfast and walked down the avenue to the testing facility. We waited about 10 minutes for our turn, paid USD$20, and went about our day. Our results were emailed to us in about 4hrs, and we walked back over to get printed copies on official paper and stamped.

Are there testing facilities at the airport? Yes. Should you wait until you are at the airport to get your test? NO! You are taking a HUGE risk, because there may be a line, they may be closed, or (shudder) if you do test positive, you'll have less options for your next steps, i.e., you may be remanded right there to a quarantine facility.

What was your airport departure experience? Arrival back in the US?

Ok. At the airport, you will have to show your Covid-19 documentation to the ticketing agent. You will not receive your ticket if you do not have this. Also, there is a form that attests to your health and travel activities. It can be pulled up on your phone via a QR code, but we just asked for the form from the ticket agent and filled it out on our way to security.

Once you are at the gate, you may be randomly interviewed by airport officials walking around. General questions about where you stayed, they may ask to see your documents.

And that's it. Once you arrive back in the U.S., since you were already validated to board the flight, the entry process is what you would calm "normal" for an international flight, with no Covid-19 related process.

So....would you recommend that I go to Mexico?

International travel right now is risky. In addition to the inherent risks of going outside of your "pandemic bubble" of home, local places, and close family, you are increasing the mass of potentially contagious people you will be around once you reach your destination. And, there is the risk of testing positive and having to stay quarantined in a foreign country for 10 days.

For most, I would not recommend going. While we are by no means "expert travelers", we have honed our travel regimen and Covid-19 awareness to the point that we believe we can continue our adventures with only a slight increase in risk, and are prepared should we have to quarantine in-country. If you have kids, a job/career that would be negatively impacted, or just are on the fence about it, this is not a trip you should take right now.

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