As if this pandemic couldn't throw us anymore curveballs, it was just announced that a negative covid test, within 3 days of travel, will be required to fly to the US beginning on January 26th. I immediately thought, "well, that means mexico tourism is about to get crushed."
Why, you might ask?
Right now, most of Mexico's foreigners are coming from the US. The vast majority only come here for a short period of time.
If I were an American considering a week vacation in Mexico, the last thing I'd want to do is have to take a day out of my vacation to track down a covid-testing facility, figure out transportation there, be around a bunch of sickies, wait a couple of hours for the results, and take a taxi back to my hotel—all while navigating the whole process in foreign language.
That doesn't sound like a vacation..that sounds like a pain in the butt. Not to mention what happens if the test comes back positive and I'm stuck. I think it'd deter me from taking a week-long trip out of the country.
On the bright side, I think Mexican businesses will learn to adapt. Perhaps the big Mexico resorts will eventually have a covid-testing facility on site or maybe airports will eventually have a some sort of "airport security" step to get tested before you fly. But until then, I think tourism will be taking a big hit.
What does this mean for us and our travel life?
Well, the timing of this isn't great. We actually have to take an essential business trip back to the US as soon as possible. We had put off the bookings but finally bought our tickets last night.
Before flying out, we'll be going through the COVID testing process ourselves and likely showing the experience in a video.
After doing some research, we found a place where we can get tested for 250 pesos (about 12 smackers) and give us results within about 2 hours.
The same facility offers antibody tests for 180 pesos, and while we have no knowledge of having been exposed, we are curious to know if we have the antibodies. Maybe we'll get that test too for curiosity's sake.
Until then, we'll be pondering (read: stressing out about) whether we should make a video of our trip back to the states, given how polarizing travel has become. We aren't sure everyone's going to understand the necessity of it all. Uncle Sam doesn't care as much about COVID as he does about due dates.
Anyhoo.. we'll be brushing up on our visiting-the-doctor Spanish this week. One of the many handy RL lessons we have. And if you're interested, Rocket Languages is running their New Year's sale right now and there's still a handful of courses left at a nice discount: www.tangerinespanish.com 
