Hyatt Introduces Complimentary COVID Testing In Latin America

Some links to products and travel providers on this website will earn Traveling For Miles a commission that helps contribute to the running of the site. Traveling For Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling For Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. For more details please see the disclosures found at the bottom of every page.

With the United States now requiring most international travelers to provide evidence of a negative COVID test before being allowed to visit the country, Hyatt has taken the first steps to make life a bit easier for guests staying at its resorts across various locations in Latin America.

The Announcement

All 19 Hyatt resorts in Latin America have arranged for complimentary on-property COVID-19 testing through 31 May 2021, for guests traveling to the United States.

The offer of free COVID testing is valid for up to two registered guests per guestroom per stay at Hyatt’s resorts in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, and South America.

In addition, most Hyatt hotels in the same regions are now offering a ‘Travel Delay Rate’ to guests who “cannot complete their travel due to test-related reasons” (i.e guests who fail to provide a negative test and who therefore cannot travel to the United States as scheduled).

Hyatt says that the ‘Travel Delay Rate’ represents savings of between 25% and 50% on standard rates that the properties are offering but that Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara properties are excluded from this offer. Also, guests who find themselves having to stay at participating Hyatt properties for longer than planned will be able to enjoy a discount of up to 30% on food and non-alcoholic beverages purchased on site.

Key Terms To Note

• Free COVID testing is valid for up to two registered guests per guestroom per stay.
• Guests must be departing for the US to be eligible for a free test.
• Complimentary rapid antigen or RT-PCT testing (both approved testing per CDC guidelines) are being offered.
• Minimum length of stay requirements are in place and vary by property.
• Guests may purchase additional on-property tests for a fee, which varies per property.
• The ‘Travel Delay Rate’ is valid for stays up to 14 nights and there is no minimum length of stay (at this time).
• Guests must book the ‘Travel Delay Rate’ with the hotel directly while on property.
• This ‘Travel Delay Rate’ is not valid Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara properties.
• Guests who made their reservations through a 3rd party are not excluded from the complimentary COVID tests and are permitted to book the ‘Travel Delay Rate’ should they require it.

Full terms can be found in this Hyatt news release

Properties Offering Complimentary COVID Testing

• Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
• Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour
• Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Bahamas
• Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
• Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
• Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Jamaica
• Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jamaica
• Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
• Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Thompson Playa del Carmen Beach House, Mexico
• Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House, Mexico
• The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Mexico
• Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, Mexico
• Thompson Zihuatanejo, a Beach Resort, Mexico
• Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, Mexico
• Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Hyatt Zilara Cancun, Mexico
• Hyatt Ziva Cancun, Mexico

Quick Thoughts

These are very good moves by Hyatt and ones that I suspect we’ll see a number of other hoteliers adopt as it becomes obvious (to them) that the requirements of pre-departure testing are going to be with us for some time (and not just for travel to the United States).

As things stand, I cannot see where the various Hyatt properties are displaying their minimum length of stay requirements for guests who wish to make the most of the free COVID testing, or how much they’re charging for additional on-property tests so, if either of these aspects of Hyatt’s announcement interest you, I suggest contacting the property directly before you book your trip (I suspect that the minimum stay criteria will be very reasonable).

Overall this is a clever idea by Hyatt. One of the last things that people will want to worry about is how to get a COVID test in a nation they may not know very well and whose language they may not speak. By offering tests onsite, Hyatt properties in Latin America will suddenly look even more appealing than usual to a significant number of people and that should be good for Hyatt’s occupancy rates. The fact that the tests are also free through May is just an added bonus.

Bottom Line

Hyatt’s 19 properties in Latin America are now offering complimentary COVID testing to all guests whose next stop is the United States. In addition, guests at Hyatt properties in Latin America (excluding the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara properties) will be able to book additional nights at the properties at specially reduced rates should they find themselves in a position where they’re unable to return to the US as planned.