Preceding this incident, there have been concerns about the Covid risks within the hospitality sector, as several resorts have been deemed bio-secure facilities, catering to tourists who travel from some of the countries hardest-hit by Covid-19 and specifically the Delta variant, like the US and the UK. However, with some advance planning and a little help from the tourism industry, it might not be as much of a challenge as you expect. In a destination where high-end resorts are often on private islands, youd think the Maldives would be the most difficult destination for pre-departure testing. Some destinations have made testing easy. Antigen tests are half the cost and provide results in less than an hour, making it possible to be tested just prior to departure. Have a contingency plan to cover medical costs, quarantine costs and rebooked tickets, just in case. Unverified reports about the positive infections had been making the rounds on social media over the holiday weekend, before physician, Dr Joseph Joey John, confirmed those reports on state media Tuesday evening. Travelers from high risk countries (including the U.S.) must take a PCR test prior to arrival and may be tested immediately upon arrival as well. Fregate Island Private, an exclusive natural hideaway with private villas and exclusive beaches, will arrange on-site testing complete with helicopter delivery to ensure its processed on time. Additional testing sites are expected to be added throughout the sister islands. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Assuming youre comfortable with the risks of travel, here are some of the destinations taking the stress out of Covid-19 testing. Now you can safari without worry about where to find testing. But what if you have already made spring break reservations from, say, Chicago to Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean? Among the hotels with testing options are. For example, the Hospital Clinica la Catolica is about 45 minutes from San Jose International Airport and offers $100 tests with results within approximately eight hours. Hotels and villas offering complimentary Covid-19 antigen (rapid) testing to qualified guests include: Additional properties in Saint Lucia are anticipated to roll out complimentary testing in the coming weeks. Becky Pokora is an avid traveler with a particular love for the outdoors. But most of those places arent welcoming tourists, anyway, and the airport testing centers typically dont guarantee you can show up three or fours before your flight and get results that will allow you to get to the gate on time. Costa Rica has a network of private hospitals and clinics offering testing to both locals and visitors, but many are located in the Central Valley . Club Med Turkoise is also offering testing. Efforts have been made to contact the management of Royalton Resort for feedback on the incident, but those were unsuccessful up to press time yesterday. No more than five minutes of your holiday time is invested in the process, the hotel says on its website, attempting to assuage fears that the test will suck up a precious beach day. Travelers flying from San Jose might be able to fit this in without too much trouble. Details matter: check the test type, timeline and how to provide proof of results. Rwanda has been open to international travel since August of 2020, and has required that all visitors be tested upon arrival, before departure, and before primate trekking since their borders reopened for tourism. In Rwanda, tests on arrival are done in the travelers hotel room; once their test comes back negative, they are free to move about the country. Family friendly and couples friendly! Pre-bookings are required. We pick up positives from time to time, [but] this month I think there might have been a couple more than usual from the guest standpoint. If you see a brown hyena or desert black rhino, it might be worth it. The Fairmont Mayakoba in Quintana Roo, Mexico, says it will provide antigen tests free of charge to all guests staying for at least three nights, with same-day results delivered to the guest by email. A number of hotels are offering resort centered testing for a fee including LalunaandTrue Blue Bay. Travelers are getting a taste of a big change right now, with the CDC announcing new Covid-19 testing requirements to enter the United States either as a visitor or as a resident returning home. Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casinohas a Weve Got You Covered package for up to two people per room that includes complimentary antigen testing with results available in 24 hours. At the Royalton Antigua resort, guests wont have to leave the property to be tested prior to departure. Mexico has been one of the most popular vacation destinations throughout the pandemic due to its proximity to the United States and lack of restrictions for incoming travelers. Her passion lies in showing families how to travel more while keeping their savings and sanity. For months, travel was mostly at a standstillnow many places have reopened, but with constantly tweaked (or overhauled) guidelines. Health Center Bon Bida Bonaire will offer on-site and mobile testing. $22 for the Antigen and $72 for the PCR. Los Cabos is implementing a Covid-19 testing program starting at $60 and offers dedicated areas at properties where positive guests can stay at reduced rates. Keep in mind this is just half of the equation. For Americans traveling to resorts in countries still welcoming tourists, the first question is whether such a test will be available at the place you are staying. Guests have access to a private clinic, Vidatec, that is able to administer COVID-19 molecular swab test for $95, quantitative antibody test for $35, and antigen test at a cost of $45 per guest. Tests are also required at least 72 hours before any primate trekking, and then of course now within 72 hours of departure. Notably, many resorts are only offering tests to guests staying for a minimum number of nights, so if your plans typically involve multiple hotels or small places without such plans in place, you might want to rethink those ideas. Departing passengers may also choose rapid antigen testing by calling or emailing the Medicare subsidiary of Flughafen Mnchen GmbH. Unsurprisingly, more upscale resorts are investing more in this service. The Shore Club and The Palms both have designated rapid-testing locations within the resort grounds, while guests of The Sands will utilize the facilities at The Palms Resort. This compensation comes from two main sources. Testing is complimentary for all paying resort guests at the Shore Club and Palms, and Sands guests for $25. If youre searching for private labs or health clinics, be sure to confirm its on the same island as where youre staying. Assuming you make it through all these steps, one of those tests might be timed correctly for re-entry to the United States. The BVI have kept case counts down, in part due to strict measures for arriving travelers. All hotels can arrange on-site testing. Results are returned within 48 hours. Resort guests who do not purchase the package can schedule an antigen test for $50 per person in advance of their departure by visiting the propertys facility on a walk-in basis. All Rights Reserved. Tourists can get an Antigen test at Merida International Airport. Went to Cancun with my family and it was one of my best trips yet! Further, these tourists still have the option of travelling unvaccinated, meaning despite the systems put in place to avoid close contact and maintain hygienic safety infections could inadvertently be passed on to the local population. The three centers have PCR testing available for $75 to $125 with most results available within 24 hours. In Frankfurt, theres a testing site outside the airport on the pedestrian bridge between Terminal 1 and the train station. In some cases, even if the tests are easy, it might be enough to make you think twice. In general, the best advice remains to avoid nonessential international travel, especially since many of these changes are impossible to predict in advance and people have gotten stuck. The Fairmont Mayakobas language is a little more blunt: Symptomatic guests will be referred to the resort doctor for proper evaluation, care and transferred to the hospital.. Its really the bolstering of the education process, bolstering of the protocols and of course, isolating those who were contacted, Dr John told state media. Airlines are legally required to deny boarding to anyone who refuses to take such a test, or lacks the documentation at the check-in desk. Participating brands include. All Royalton Resorts in Jamaica offer free antigen testing for guests as well as free Medical Assistance coverage to cover the cost of any accidents or illness (including Covid-19). We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Melia Hotels is among the resort groups offering guests in Mexico and the Dominican Republic a free insurance policy to pay for your ongoing accommodations (and that of your travel companions), and cover some of your medical expenses, if you have a positive COVID-19 test. Similarly, Munichs airport has several testing options available to departing passengers. Observer has also reached out to the Health Ministry for comment, but this was also not forthcoming up to news time. She has visited over 45 countries and lived in Thailand, China, and Ireland (where her son was born). The price tag? While some are affordable or even free, others could tack $200 or more per person to your budget and deter you from booking that quick getaway. Other independent hotels in Mexico including the following also offer on-site testing (prices vary) with more expected in the future: Like Mexico, many destinations in the Caribbean have partnered with local medical offices to provide convenient testing for visitors. Several resorts in the Dominican Republic are providing Covid-19 testing on-site so guests have no excuse not to comply with CDC guidelines. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The price for the PCR test alone is $150. On the other hand, you could head to the health clinic in the area you are staying, but how fast and easy it is to find a test is likely to vary and be hard to predict. She's always looking for new ways to make travel easier, more memorable, and more affordable. South America is slowly opening up to tourism, but hasnt yet taken the proactive steps that Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean have. The hotel has gone into even tighter controls, reinforcing the education, the distancing, the mask-wearing, the unnecessary contact [and] the hand-washing. Nope. Properties managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts (like Hyatt Zilara or Hilton Rose Hall) offer free antigen testing, but only for stays of five nights or more in Jamaica. Although this is likely to change eventually, right now relying on airport testing is a high-risk strategy. Travelers considering a spring break vacation at a Mexican beach resort should consider whether they'll be able to get COVID-19 test results within 72 hours of returning to the U.S. (Shutterstock). And, all tests taken on weekday mornings will receive same-day results. He explained that, while the positive infections are a bit more than they normally find during routine testing, there arent enough to cause an alarm. Casa Chameleon hotels in Mal Pais and Las Catalinas offer on-site testing. In some countries, such as Germany or the United Kingdom, you can find testing at the departure airport. Thats yet one more obstacle to international travel, but not necessarily reason to cancel your plans. You have entered an incorrect email address! The cost is $60 USD per test and results are typically returned in 24 hours or less. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? The AMResorts family (such as Secrets, Dreams, Sunscape, Now, Breathless and Zotry resorts), Fairmont Mayacoba (stays of 3 nights or longer), La Coleccin Resorts (which includes Live Aqua, Grand Fiesta, Fiesta Americana and The Explorean), Playa Hotels & Resorts (including brands like Panama Jacks, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara). Riviera Nayarits (Pacific coast) tourism bureau is working extensively with hotels in the region and has identified no fewer than 36 hotels that either offer onsite testing or transportation to a testing site. Plan in advance and theyll test you at your hotel. 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