Are you traveling to Puerto Vallarta in 2022?
You’re ready for the beautiful beaches, you’ve got your playlist mixed…there’s just one thing keeping you up at night. How do you tackle the COVID-19 testing you need for Puerto Vallarta? Oh, and all the travel logistics behind your trip? (Pretty important detail).
Return COVID Testing from Puerto Vallarta
The short answer is to book a return test appointment because you will need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter the United States or Canada.
The long answer is what we’ll break down in the rest of the article to ensure less stress before and during your vacation planning.
Even if you’re fully vaccinated and symptom-free, the rule is clear: you cannot board a plane bound for the US (or Canada) without proof of a recent negative COVID test.
If Puerto Vallarta is your destination in 2022, you can easily book an appointment at the new CityHealth Downtown Puerto Vallarta COVID testing site.
Regardless of whether your Puerto Vallarta travel plans are just floating vacation daydreams, or if you’ve got your plane tickets and hotels already booked, you should know what the international travel and COVID procedures will look like for this destination.
I’m going to break it down in this article (you can follow along in the video version too!) and show you exactly what you need to do to ensure smooth sailing.
Want more info on traveling to Puerto Vallarta during COVID? Check out our 2022 Comprehensive Travel Guide to Puerto Vallarta!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH6lbTg8r7g&t=343s
First, let’s take a look at the CDC requirements for flying back into the country:
If you are traveling to Puerto Vallarta in 2022, the CDC requires you to have a negative COVID test within three days of departing back to the United States, regardless if you are vaccinated or not.
As of January 26th, 2021, the US requires proof of a negative PCR, or Antigen Rapid Test Test prior to boarding. This must be conducted no more than 24 hours prior to departure.
The Canadian government, as of January 7th, 2021, requires a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or LAMP) for all inbound international passengers to Canada. This must be conducted no more than 96 hours prior to departure.
If you have recently had COVID and can provide a copy of your positive test results and a letter from a medical professional stating you have fully recovered and are cleared to travel.
You also must fill out an online health assessment form which generates a QR code that you must show prior to boarding your outbound flight. You will also be required to show it once you land in Mexico. You will also need to complete a Multiple Immigration Form (FMM). It is recommended you do this online. Find the complete arrivals/departures protocol via Puerto Vallarta’s tourism board.
Timing your COVID test
Let’s take a closer look into the three-day timeline requirement:
The 3-day period is the 3 days before the flight’s departure.
The Order uses a 3-day timeframe instead of 72 hours to provide more flexibility to the traveler. By using a 3-day window, test validity does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test was administered, and allows for minor flight delays without the inconvenience of re-testing.
This rule gives you a little more leeway, because you don’t have to be precise to the hour with your tests.
Sample COVID testing timeline
For example, if a passenger’s flight is at 1 pm on a Friday, the passenger could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Tuesday or after.
The takeaway is that we need a test result within 3 calendar days. Now let’s take a look at the final piece.
What information is included in a COVID test result?
You don’t want to take a random test, think you’re all good to go, and show up at the airport just to realize your test result doesn’t contain all the needed information to board your return flight!
A test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy).
The documentation must include:
- Test type – Type of test (indicating it is a NAAT or antigen test)
- Test issuer – The entity issuing the result (e.g. laboratory, healthcare entity, or telehealth service)
- Collection Date – The date the specimen (your swab) was collected. The specimen must be collected within the 3 days before the flight.
A positive test result for documentation of recovery from COVID-19 must show the specimen was collected within the 3 months before the flight. - Identification info – Information that identifies the person (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number)
- Negative Test Result
Make sure to be tested with a viral test (PCR or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Also, make sure that you receive your results before your flight departs and have documentation of your results to show the airline.
We know navigating a foreign country is hard enough, but if you’re traveling to Puerto Vallarta, there’s actually a super straightforward process you can follow to get you on that return flight, on time and stress-free!
Puerto Vallarta COVID test locations
CityHealth has a COVID test site in Puerto Vallarta, offering Rapid Antigen tests (and a travel-ready Digital Health Certificate, of course!) to travelers returning to the US. The test, including documentation, is just $58 US – less than half of what some competitors in the area charge. You can make an appointment online so that you don’t have to wait in any lines.
If your hotel doesn’t offer return COVID testing, and you don’t love the idea of waiting in yet another crowded airport lineup, you can drop by ours for an easy and affordable test.
Book a Puerto Vallarta COVID Test here
Now you’re good to go! I’d recommend doing all your trip planning at the very beginning so you don’t have to worry about these details during your actual trip, including booking your return COVID test from Puerto Vallarta before you leave.
For Information on COVID-19 Best Safety Practices recommended by the Tourism Board in Puerto Vallarta in 2022, check out their safety recommendations across safe masking, beach activity and more.
Traveling someone else? Check out our comprehensive guide to Returning to the US After International Travel for more information about how to source a reputable COVID test abroad and what to do after your return home.
Puerto Vallarta COVID test procedure
If all these COVID testing regulations sound confusing, don’t despair! Here’s a simplified version of the process.
- Book your flight to Mexico
- Pre-book testing appointment at CityHealth Puerto Vallarta based on your return flight date
- Arrive in PV!
- 2-3 days before returning to US, go to the CityHealth Puerto Vallarta COVID testing location and show your appointment confirmation email
- Bilingual staff will conduct the Rapid Antigen test (which is the test you need to get back home!) and send you a PDF Digital Health Certificate (this is your test result) in English via email and text message.
-Important: Your results document expires in 96 hours, so don’t test too soon. Book your appointment within 72 hours of your flight departure time.
- To view your results, simply enter your name and date of birth (a security feature, to protect your information).
–Tip: You can add your Digital Health Certificate to your Apple or Google Wallet on your phone.
Hope you have a great trip and a great return trip back! If you check out the test site, make sure to share your experience.
Bon voyage and safe travels!
