GETTING TESTED IN COSTA RICA TO RETURN HOME
Find out about how to get tested in Costa Rica for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to travel to the US, Canada, Spain, or the UK.
Jan, 29th, 2021
For your convenience, and due to the new regulations implemented by some governments to require proof of negative COVID-19 Test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers for arriving at their respective countries, we have gathered all of the information you must know to ease this part of your travel planning. If you are thinking of visiting Costa Rica, we recommend you to read the following information to have a smooth return to your country. Safe travels!
The requirement
As of January 26th, 2021, the United States is requiring all air passengers (US citizens/residents or not) to present a negative test result for the SARS-CoV-2 to enter the country. In the meantime, the United Kingdom has been asking for a negative test result to enter this country since January the 18th, while Canada and Spain, have been asking for it since various weeks ago.
If you want to read the official Institute of Tourism news, click here (currently available in Spanish only).
Test types
All countries covered in this post will admit a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR. The full list of accepted tests according to the respective countries’ can be found on each countries’ official websites, which have been listed at the end of this entry.
Ages
Depending on the country you are traveling to, there are small variants regarding the testing requirement according to the passenger’s age.
United States: 2 years of age or older must get tested.
Canada: 5 years of age or older must get tested.
United Kingdom: 11 years of age or older must get tested.
Spain: 6 years of age or older must get tested.
TEST REQUIREMENTS
1.TIME FRAME
The test must be performed no more than 3 days before the flight departs. If you must do connections and the total journey takes more than a day, you must ensure that the test is taken no more than 3 days before you board the final service that takes you to your final destination. Please make sure to check these details with your country’s official website.
According to the US CDC, 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.
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.
2. LANGUAGES AND DETAILS
The majority of countries will accept test results in either English, French, or Spanish; Spain will also accept tests in German. Translations will not be accepted, and you must provide the original test result certificate.
In general, tests must include the following information:
- your name, which should match the name on your travel documents
- your date of birth or age
- the result of the test
- the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
- the name of the test provider and their contact details
- the name of the test device
WHO WILL CHECK YOUR TEST
In most cases, the test will be required by the airline before boarding.
ABOUT THE VACCINE
According to the governments of the United States and Canada, regardless of vaccination or antibody status, everyone is required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or recovery documentation.
Spain entry requirements Summary.
Prices, lab locations and results time frame
Lab suggestions and other recommendations
LABS IN LA FORTUNA
LABS NEAR THE AIRPORT
- LABIN LAB- Plaza Real. https://goo.gl/maps/
EiwdZwt3N4VL9zPd8 - ECHANDI LAB. https://goo.gl/maps/
YSzPtSEEUS4Jdd4V9 $88 per test/ Results in 24h on weekdays and 36-48h on weekends. - LABIN LAB- Plaza Cariari. https://goo.gl/maps/
EDwHfZCnJGsDPWvE6 - LABIN LAB- Lindora. https://goo.gl/maps/
3zVGoEngzrYxNqzYA - LABIN LAB- Plaza Lindora. https://goo.gl/maps/
JpGoPWWwEAwoUKYd6 - LABORATORIO CLÍNICO SAN JOSÉ – Alajuela. https://g.page/
LSJAlajuela?share $94 per test/ Results in 24h on weekdays and 36-48h on weekends.
LABS IN SAN JOSÉ
- LABORATORIO CLÍNICO SAN JOSÉ – GUACHIPELÍN. https://goo.gl/maps/
w1pAX7mvZFNdRJAg7 $94 per test/ Results in 24h on weekdays and 36-48h on weekends. - LABORATORIO CLÍNICO SAN JOSÉ – ESCAZÚ LA PACO. https://goo.gl/maps/
TPxtHnpiAXSjkD267 $94 per test/ Results in 24h on weekdays and 36-48h on weekends.LABORATORIO CLÍNICO SAN JOSÉ – ROHRMOSER. https://goo.gl/maps/YAX8doE2u2yPxQ4E6 $94 per test/ Results in 24h on weekdays and 36-48h on weekends.LABORATORIO PAEZ- SABANA. https://goo.gl/maps/MLtwfpDyMUi9FtsL9 $87 per test/ Results in 24h–48h. Sample collected in-car; must create an appointment by texting to +506 60604573.
OTHER LABS
There are many other labs in the metro area and the rest of the country, the previous lists are a small selection of them based on location and perceived quality. We have not received any kind of endorsements on their behalf, and the names provided are meant to ease your search.
PRICE RANGE
The test’s price in the Metro area ranges from $87 to $100. Due to the Costa Rican tax legislation for this type of medical service, paying with a card will normally mean a lower price.
Feeling (and staying) safe in Costa Rica
If you have a reservation and require assistance concerning this matter, please feel free to contact us by email (info@paradisehotspringscr.com) or Whatsapp text message (+506 88100 0123).
Happy travels!