I just returned from my latest Mexico trip and thought I’d post about my Covid test experience at the last resort I stayed at–Planet Hollywood Cancun.
While I very much enjoyed my stay at this all-inclusive resort, I thought the Covid test experience was one potential or booked guests would want to know about if planning on getting your Covid test here. These are the bullet points which I thought were most important:
- Check-in staff will NOT book your Covid test for you (this practice is a change from many other five star properties in the area which offer on-site Covid testing). That includes the Adult-Scene section of the resort. If you have a good butler, (s)he will send you a link to the form which you fill out online and then click “send”; you will be contacted by that agency and given an approximate appointment time. If the medical agency does not contact you within 24 hrs. with your appointment time, the prior email you received from them (confirming they received your online form) should have a link to re-contact them. I had to do that, and they promptly responded to that request for an appointment.
- If you don’t have a butler or even a good butler, the QR code for the form can be found posted on the window of the building where Covid tests are given. That building is located on the main walkway which goes from the main outdoor theater by the lobby area all the way to the beach. The Covid building is located about two thirds of the way if you are walking from the outdoor theater towards the beach; it’s on the left side across the way from the wedding building. Don’t worry, you cannot miss it, it stands alone and if you are in that area in the a.m. before noon there almost always is a long line.
- Covid tests, even antigen tests, are no longer free no matter how long your resort stay. If you will be getting an antigen test it will cost $35 USD p/person, PCR tests cost $90 USD. While the sign on the window says they accept credit cards, their card machine was “down” when I got my test which meant I had to pay cash. You can pay with either Mexican pesos or American dollars. If you want to pay in advance, I heard a guest discuss the fact they paid for their tests with PayPal when they filled out their initial form. To be honest, I don’t remember seeing this option online, but then I wasn’t looking for it either. I had just assumed I would pay for it when I got the test. So, in short, bring enough cash for the test just in case.
- Bring along your appointment time confirmation email along with your passport when you go for your appointment. Medical staff will check your passport multiple times to make sure all info is recorded properly. You will not be able to use the test to leave Mexico if any info has been recorded incorrectly. No pressure though…
- Your appointment time is approximate–my appointment time was listed as 9:50 a.m. I got in line 15 min. early (as suggested) and I got out of the building at 11:10 a.m. Sitting and waiting around in a crowded area was the worst part of the experience. You will wait your turn for your 3 second test (one nasal swirl with a swab), then wait again for your hard copy results to take to the airport. Expect to lose precious vacation time with this process. I took the test on a Monday for Tuesday travel–I can’t even begin to guess about the wait if you get tested on a Friday or Saturday.
- Plan on waiting another 15-20 min. after your test in order to get the hard copy of the test result. Don’t rush off right after the test because you most likely will not get an email with the results to print out later.
The Covid test procedure at this resort was the worst part of my stay at three different resorts this Mexico trip. I thought it was convoluted enough to post separately about it and give everyone a heads up if they are going to have it done at PH Cancun.
What has been your Covid testing experience at resorts lately?
I’ve done 4 travel tests in the past 6 months. Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun & Sandos Finisterra were no problem. Did a telehealth PCR test at Dreams Aventuras in December (friends did the onsite test with no issues – I did the telehealth test simply to try it out). Last month, had to do an Antigen test at Dreams Huatulco before coming home. I’d say this was the most confusing process, since we filled out a form and had to wait until 48-72 hours prior, to find out when our test appointment would be. In the meantime, the WestJet Vacations rep was giving people exact appointment times but they had to pay for their test and he took them to an off-site clinic, telling people that the “On-site” tests often came up positive (yes I read this as scam so he makes US $20pp on testing). We found out our appointment time on Wednesday (for Friday morning) and arrived early & got tested right away. She said results would be emailed in 4 hours (got them in 90 mins) but to wait in the room while they tested others and they would have our results in 15 minutes. She hollered over to us that we were Negative, like we’d won the lottery or something, and off we went. As a certified control freak, it was frustrating to not get a test time up front, when every other property I’d visited in Mexico was able to, and it was confusing that they had 2 processes running simultaneously, but in the end, it was fast & efficient.
Sorry to hear your experience wasn’t so smooth but thanks for sharing so others know what to expect!
I guess I expect a five star resort to make my Covid test appointment for me, especially since my room choice includes butler service, but maybe that’s just me…I’m sure with all your travel you are probably used to events occurring outside of what you expect.