These Hotels Are Offering Free COVID Tests

After the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a requirement for passengers flying into the States to take a COVID-19 test, some international hotels have begun rolling out free tests for departing guests.

Hotels with large American markets—particularly those in Mexico and the Caribbean— are among the first to react to the new rule by offering complimentary tests to guests on site. But with Canada and the U.K. now also requiring COVID tests for entry, more hotels around the world are starting to entice guests with free tests. (Don’t worry – if the hotel you want to go to isn’t offering it for free, you can normally still book one either in-house or locally for a charge).  

These are some of the hotels and resorts offering free in-house COVID tests for travelers departing to the U.S. Just don’t forget to book your appointment as soon as you arrive at the hotel to avoid delays.

AMResorts

The huge AMResorts group is offering on-site antigen testing for free, or PCR tests for an additional cost using a third-party lab. They’re available at all its properties and brands, including Secrets (with the exception of two resorts in Costa Rica, where they can arrange chargeable PCR tests). AMResorts are scattered across Mexico, Mesoamerica and the Caribbean (they’re also in Spain, but Americans can only visit these countries right now). Incredibly, should a guest test positive, the hotels will also cover the cost of quarantine for up to 14 days. 

Anse Chastanet

If you book three nights or more at the Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia, you’re entitled to a free rapid antigen test, until September 30. A nurse administers it in your room and results come back within a few hours. You can also book a PCR test for a fee.

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts

With properties across the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico, and a steady stream of American arrivals, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts is offering free antigen tests for any guests booking at least three nights. The on-site testing will continue until March 31 or until the CDC requirement changes.

Bay Gardens Resorts

Every guest booking an all-inclusive package of five nights or more at all of the Bay Gardens Resorts in St. Lucia can have a free rapid antigen test before returning to the U.S. Results come back within 24 hours. PCR tests are available for a charge.

Belmond Cap Juluca

While not technically free, the Belmond Cap Juluca in Anguilla is incorporating on-site PCR tests into its room rates.

Calabash Cove Resort & Spa

Calabash Cove Resort & Spa in St Lucia provides complimentary antigen tests for guests on request.

Casa Chameleon

Guests staying five nights or more at the two Casa Chameleon resorts in Costa Rica can receive free onsite testing for COVID-19 until April 30. If you’re on a shorter break, they can arrange it for a fee.

Caerula Mar Club

Caerula Mar Club in the Bahamas is making things easy for guests by offering on-site rapid antigen tests – results are available within just 15 minutes.

Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel

A booking of six nights or more at Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel in St Lucia guarantees you a free antigen test for your departure. 

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa

‘Stress-free’ return home testing is being offered by Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa, St Lucia. Guests staying five nights or more are entitled to the free antigen testing. It’s administered on site and results normally come back within 24 hours. 

Couples Resorts

Couples Resorts in Jamaica is offering free of charge antigen tests at all its properties. Results are available within 48 hours.

Eden Roc Cap Cana

The Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is offering free PCR and antigen tests within a 36-48 hour turnaround time. Tests are carried out privately in your guest room or a designated hotel area. All guests receive free government insurance and if they test positive, get a designated room to quarantine in (accommodation and expenses covered by the hotel’s insurance policy). 

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

Over in Cancun, Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, as well as all the other Hard Rock all-inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean region, are providing free on-site antigen tests (or discounted PCR tests) as well as complimentary onsite medical assistance insurance.

Hotel Xcaret México

Free on-site antigen testing is available at Hotel Xcaret México on the Riviera Maya. If a Hotel Xcaret México guest tests positive, this is one of the hotels that will actually cover the cost of quarantine for up to 14 days. PCR tests are available too for an additional cost, via a third-party lab – or if you’re on the go you can even get a $19 antigen test done at one of the hotel group’s local theme parks (Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xenses and Xoximilco).  

Hyatt

All 19 Hyatt resorts in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, and South America are offering COVID-19 tests for up to two registered guests per guestroom per stay through May 31, 2021, for guests traveling to the U.S. Testing options vary by property, visit Hyatt’s website for a list of participating resorts and more details.

Iberostar

If you stay at any Iberostar hotel or resort in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica or Mexico you can have a free on-site antigen test or purchase a PCR test. The antigen tests are available until at least March 31 and results usually come back within 30 minutes.

Jade Mountain

St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain isn’t bothered how long you’re staying – every guest gets a free rapid antigen test on request for their trip home. And if you’re booking five nights or more, you can have a complimentary PCR test. Tests are taken in your room and the rapid tests results come back within just a few hours.

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Karisma Hotels & Resorts

Karisma Hotels & Resorts is offering free testing at its properties in the Mexican Caribbean, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. If you test positive, your quarantine accommodation is on them for up to 14 days.

La Coleccion Resorts

All the beach properties of La Coleccion Resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic are providing free on-site testing 36 hours before departure. Or if you think that’s cutting it too fine, you can schedule one off site (for a fee) up to 72 hours before departure. They’ll knock $10 per person per night off your room if you have to quarantine, plus offer 72 hours of telehealth support and hotel expenses for a $4 a day supplement.

Le Blanc Spa Resorts & Palace Resorts

Adults-only Le Blanc Spa Resorts and its sister chain, Palace Resorts, are offering free testing at all their properties in Mexico and Jamaica for anyone booking at least three nights. Results come back within just 30 minutes. If the results are positive, they cover the cost of your accommodation for up to 14 days.

Marival Resorts

Free in-hotel COVID-19 tests are also being offered at Marival Resorts in Mexico. The offer applies to anyone booking three nights or more at their Riviera Nayarit, Punta Mita or Nuevo Vallarta properties. This is one of the resorts offering 14 nights’ free quarantine accommodation too (for up to two guests per room; additional companions at a discounted rate) if the results are positive.

Meliá Hotels International

Meliá Hotels International is offering a similar deal to Karisma, with free PCR tests at its Mexico and Dominican Republic properties. These include hotels in Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Cozumel, Cabo, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Bookings also come with complimentary COVID-19 health insurance, which even includes extension of stay for your companion if you’re hospitalized.

Montage International 

Montage International Los Cabos is rolling out free on-site antigen tests for COVID-19 to enhance its existing health protocols.

Palladium Hotel Group

The international Palladium Hotel Group offers COVID-19 testing at all its properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, including Grand Palladium Hotels and TRS Hotels brands. The free of charge antigen tests for guests traveling back to the United States are available until April 4, 2021. Testing is available every day before noon at the respective resorts’ on-site medical centers. Results are available by the evening (if taken on a weekday) or on Mondays (if taken over the weekend). Discounted rates on a suite, villa or residence are available if quarantine is required in Los Cabos.

Palmaïa – The House of Aïa 

The brand new Palmaïa – The House of Aïa retreat on the Riviera Maya has started offering guests complimentary antigen tests on-site with same-day results (or $150 PCR tests through a partnership with a local medical center). If you test positive, it’s one of just a handful of properties offering 14 complimentary nights’ quarantine in a suite—and is even throwing in three meals a day and non-alcoholic beverages.

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun

With the new Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun opening mid-pandemic (January 29), they decided to get ahead of the game and have already lined up on-site complimentary COVID-19 viral tests for when guests begin arriving. US travelers staying there will also receive free Medical Assistance coverage which includes COVID-related medical needs. The coverage is available until March 31 and can be shared by up to four travelers. 

Playa Hotels & Resorts

Another Mexican and Caribbean chain, Playa Hotels & Resorts, is offering free antigen tests until April 30. It’s available for anyone booking at least three nights at one of their Mexican or Dominican properties, or five nights in their Jamaican resorts. If the result is positive, the company is offering as much as 50 percent off rooms while they quarantine.

Royalton Resorts

Royalton Resorts is another large chain with properties in Mexico and the Caribbean that’s trying to entice American travelers with free tests. Royalton’s Blue Diamond Resorts portfolio in Cancun, Punta Cana and Jamaica offer free viral tests and free medical assistance coverage until March 31. Tests are also available at their St. Lucia and Antigua properties, but for a charge.

Sandals and Beaches Resorts

Famous for their Caribbean all-inclusive resorts, Sandals and Beaches Resorts are both offering complimentary COVID-19 testing across all of their portfolios until March 31, 2021. The resort is also throwing in free COVID-19 insurance until August 31. 

Serenity at Coconut Bay

Serenity at Coconut Bay, St. Lucia, is among the many resorts on the COVID-conscious island offering free antigen tests. It’s available for any guests booking five nights or more. For shorter stays, there’s a fee. Results come back (electronically and hard copy) within 24 hours.

Stonefield Villa Resort

Also on St Lucia, Stonefield Villa Resort has free antigen tests for guests staying four nights or more. Results take at least 24 hours to be returned.

Sugar Beach

Viceroy Resorts is also getting in on the action by offering free tests at its Sugar Beach, St. Lucia property. Tests are free for anyone booking five nights or more. Testing is on-site and results come through within 24 hours.

Ti Kaye Resort & Spa

Not to be left out, Ti Kaye Resort & Spa, St Lucia, provides free on-site COVID-19 testing too.

Unico 20° 87° Riviera Maya

Back in the Mexican Caribbean, Unico 20° 87° Riviera Maya has complimentary on-site antigen testing, discounted PCR tests and complimentary onsite medical assistance insurance.

Velas Resorts

With properties in Mexico’s most popular tourism hubs, Velas Resorts is offering free testing plus a 75 percent discount on accommodation if you need to quarantine for 14 days in a separate suite to your companion.

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