Where to get a Covid Test in Costa Rica?

With the new US restrictions of now making it mandatory for US citizens to take a Covid-19 test before returning to the States after vacationing in Costa Rica, many of our hotel guests are asking us... "Where can I take a Covid-19 test in Costa Rica?".

 

To enter Costa Rica, you do not need a Covid Test, but to return to the US or Canada, you do need one, so below we will show you where you can get a Corona Virus Test in Costa Rica.

 

*This will be ever changing as the Costa Rican government just announced in response to the new US restrictions...more locations to take the Covid Test, and also a cheaper test from $150 to around $100 US Dollars*

 

Covid Testing Options in Costa Rica

Some private hospitals, clinics, and labs can do the test. They all perform the RT-PCR test (nasal swab) and can guarantee results in 24-72 hours.  There are currently no rapid tests available but it could change.

 

 

Test Cost

Prices are around $100-$130, plus tax. Some facilities in rural areas charge more. Now the tests will soon be around $100 total.

 

 

Private Hospitals 

CIMA and Clinica Biblica – San Jose Area

Two private hospitals near San Jose that offer the test are Hospital CIMA in Escazu and Clinica Biblica in downtown San Jose and Santa Ana. CIMA and the Clinica Biblica in Santa Ana are about 30 minutes from the airport, with traffic.

 

For information on the costs and process, follow the links we just provided (for Clinica Biblica, look for “Prueba Diagnostica COVID-19”). Some of the websites allow you to change the language to English. 

 

Results at CIMA are provided within 24 hours and within 2 days at Clinica Biblica.

 

Cost: Hospital CIMA – Around $85. Clinica Biblica – 53,000 colones (about $86). 

 

 

Drive-Through Testing at Clinica Biblica – Downtown San Jose & Santa Ana

Clinica Biblica offers drive-through testing (Servicio de AutoCovid) at their main hospital in downtown San Jose (see location here) and in Santa Ana (see location here). The sample is taken right from your car so you don’t need to get out.

 

The drive-through testing is available every day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You need to make an appointment and pay in advance. Results are provided within 24 hours using this method.

 

Here is a link to the hospital’s website with more information. 

 

Cost: 53,000 colones (about $86)

 

 

Hospital Metropolitano – San Jose, Quepos/Manuel Antonio, Liberia, and Huacas (near Tamarindo)

Hospital Metropolitano is another good option. They have a few locations around the country (see here for the list). Their main offices are in the San Jose area, but they have satellite locations in (1) Quepos/Manuel Antonio, (2) Liberia (Guanacaste), and (3) Huacas (near Tamarindo). All locations can do the test. 

 

Results are provided within 24-48 hours. *Can take up to 72 hours in rural areas (outside San Jose).

 

Cost: 53,000 colones (about $86) at their San Jose locations, or 68,000 (about $111) at their rural locations.

 

 

Hospital San Rafael Arcangel – Liberia

Hospital San Rafael Archangel is another private hospital in downtown Liberia (see map with location here). They can do the test and provide results in 48 hours. Cost: 110,000 colones (about $180). 

 

The other option for testing in Liberia is Hospital Metropolitano (see above).

 

Labs and Clinics

San Jose Area – Including Drive-Through Testing Option

A reputable lab offering the test is Labin. They have many locations all around San Jose. This may be an easier option because you would not have to navigate at a larger hospital and figure out where you need to go. Results are provided within 24-48 hours. Cost: 59,000 colones (about $96).

 

Labin Drive-Through Testing: Labin also offers a drive-through testing option (Covid-Car) at two locations: (1) Zapote Edifico Central (San Jose, in front of the National Archive – see map location here), and (2) Plaza Laureles in Escazu (see map location here).

 

Another good lab option is Lab Echandi. They have locations all around San Jose. Click here to see a list. You can click on one location and it will show you where it is using WAZE. Results are provided within 1 business day. Cost: 59,000 colones (about $96).

 

 

Jaco

In Jaco, a private clinic called MMI can do the test. This clinic has a couple of general practioners and also a lab on-site. They can take the sample for the RT-PCR test, and send it off to San Jose for testing. They are located right in downtown Jaco (see map here). Results are provided within 36-48 hours, but expedited service is available. Cost: 78,000 colones (about $127).

 

 

Quepos/Manuel Antonio

In addition to Hospital Metropolitano (see above), Quepos Urgent Care (formerly Centro Medico Quepos) can also do the test in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area. This is a small private clinic in downtown Quepos with a couple of English-speaking doctors.  Results are provided within 24-72 hours.

 

 

Uvita (Southern Pacific Coast)

In the Uvita/Dominical area, Vargas Consultorio Medico can perform the test. Here is a link to their location. Results are provided within 72 hours. The price is 120,000 colones (about $195) so more expensive than other testing options. 

 

Other facilities in the Uvita area are Hospital Metropolitano in Quepos (see above), which charges 68,000 colones (about $111), or Laboratorio Biotest (see below), which charges 80,000 colones (about $130).

 

 

San Isidro de El General (Southern Zone)

Laboratorio Biotest is a lab in the city of San Isidro de El General that can do the RT-PCR test. Here is a link to their location. Results are provided within 48 hours. The cost is 80,000 colones (about $130).

 

 

Tamarindo/Flamingo/Potrero Area (Guanacaste)

In the Tamarindo area, the BeachSide Clinic in Huacas can do testing. This is another small private clinic. They offer many different services and have English-speaking doctors. Results are provided within 36-72 hours. 

 

Another option is Hospital Metropolitano in Huacas (see Hospital section, above). They provide results in 24-48 hours. 

 

 

Playas del Coco (Guanacaste)

If you’re staying in Playas del Coco, Ocotal, Playa Hermosa, or Playa Panama, Coco Medical and Dental Center can do testing. They are located in Playas del Coco. Results are provided within 36-48 hours. Cost: 95,000 colones (about $155).

 

 

Nosara

In Nosara, a private clinic called Paradise Medical Services can do the test. The sample is taken in their office, then they send it to San Jose for testing. Results are provided within 72 business hours (not counting Sundays). Cost: 79,000 colones (about $130).

 

A lab that offers the test is Medklined BioAnalisis Laboratorio. They are located in the Arenales area of Nosara (map with location here). Results are provided in 24-48 hours. Cost: About $120.

 

 

La Fortuna/Arenal Area

A private clinic called Unimed Urgent Care in downtown La Fortuna has told us that they can do the test. They are a little more expensive – around $250. Results are provided within 48 hours.

 

Another option, about 50 minutes from downtown La Fortuna, is Lab Echandi in Ciudad Quesada. This lab has other offices in San Jose and is well established. They charge about $115. Results are provided in 1 day, except on weekends. Here is a link to the exact location.

 

 

Grecia (Central Valley, west of San Jose)

If you are visiting the Grecia or Atenas area, a testing option is Laboratorio Clinico Dr. Jimenez. They are located right in downtown Grecia (see map here). Results are provided within 24 hours.

 

 

Airport Testing

Currently, Covid testing is not available at either the San Jose International Airport (SJO) or Liberia International Airport (LIR).  This could change soon.

 

Covid Testing Prerequisites

Medical facilities that administer Covid-19 tests do so under the authority of Costa Rica’s Ministry of Heath.

 

Under current Ministry of Health regulations, you no longer need to be showing symptoms or be a suspicious case due to contact with someone who tested positive in order to get a Covid test.

 

 

Making an Appointment and Getting Results

Here is how to make an appointment at each medical facility. They should all be able to email your results so that you won’t need to go back.

 

Hospital CIMA (Escazu, just west of San Jose) – Test is performed at the hospital. Call the main number, 2208-1000 to make an appointment (English-speaking operators available). Results are provided within 24 hours. Cost: Around $85.

 

Clinica Biblica (Santa Ana or downtown San Jose) – Sample is taken at the hospital or from your car (see Drive-Through Testing section, above). Call main number to schedule an appointment: (506) 2522-1000, or contact via WhatsApp: (506) 8529-2100. For drive-through testing, they will send a link by email to make the payment online in advance. Results available within 24 hours for drive-through testing, or within 2 days if test is performed inside the hospital. Cost: 53,000 colones (about $86). 

 

Hospital Metropolitano (San Jose Area, Quepos/Manuel Antonio, Liberia, and Huacas near Tamarindo) – Test can be performed at any location. Call main number to schedule an appointment in San Jose: (506) 2521-9595. For Quepos location, call them directly at (506) 2519-9733 or 2519-9754. For Liberia, call them directly at (506) 4000-6762. For Huacas, call them directly at (506) 4000-3822. 

 

*Quepos and Huacas locations are closed on Sundays. 

 

Results are provided in 24-48 hours. *Can take up to 72 hours in rural areas (outside San Jose). 

 

Cost: 53,000 colones (about $86) at their San Jose locations, or 68,000 (about $111) at their rural locations.

 

Hospital San Rafael Archangel (Liberia) – Call (506) 2660-5500 to schedule an appointment. Testing is available every day of the week. Results are provided in 48 hours. Cost: 110,000 colones (about $180). 

 

Labin (lab; locations all around San Jose; offers drive-through testing) – Test can be performed at any branch. Call (506) 2586-7000 or contact via WhatsApp (506) 8933-0707. Results are provided in 24-48 hours. Drive-Through Testing: Offered only at Zapote location and Los Laureles in Escazu. Monday – Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No appointment needed. Payment is made by cash or credit card when you arrive. Cost: 59,000 colones (about $96).

 

Lab Echandi (San Jose Area; Ciudad Quesada near La Fortuna) – Test can be performed at any branch. Make an appointment via WhatsApp at (506) 8513-1862 or by calling the location you want to be tested at (phone numbers can be found here). Results available in 1 busness day, except on weekends. Cost: 59,000 colones (about $96).

 

Laboratorios Paez (San Jose Area) – Test can be performed at any branch. Make an appointment by calling the main number (506) 6060-4573 or through WhatsApp at (506) 6049-5458. Results are available within 24-48 hours. Cost: Around 53,000 colones (about $86).

 

Laboratorio Clinico MMI (Jaco) – Call (506) 2643-2300 to make an appointment or contact via WhatsApp at (506) 6282-9515. Testing available every day of the week; prior appointment required. Results are provided within 36-48 hours. They send the sample to San Jose for testing. If expedited results are needed, they offer a courier service for an additional fee. Cost: 78,000 colones (about $127).

 

Quepos Urgent Care – Call (506) 2777-1727 to make an appointment. Results are provided within 48 hours. Cost: $160.

 

Vargas Consultorio Medical (Uvita) – Make an appointment through WhatsApp or by calling (506) 8750-9118. Results are provided within 72 hours. Cost: 120,000 colones (about $195), payable in cash only.

 

Laboratorio Biotest (San Isidro de El General) – Make an appointment by calling (506) 2772-0909 or contact via WhatsApp at (506) 8912-0909. Results are provided within 48 hours. Cost: 80,000 colones (about $130).

 

BeachSide Clinic (Huacas near Tamarindo/Flamingo/Potrero) – Call the main number to make an appointment: (506) 2653-9911. Testing is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Results are provided in 24-72 hours.

 

Coco Medical and Dental Center (Playas del Coco) – Call (506) 2670-1234 to make an appointment. Results are provided in 48-72 hours. Cost: 95,000 colones (about $155).

 

Paradise Medical Services (Nosara) – Testing is available Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. An appointment is required – they recommend making it 3-5 days in advance. Contact via WhatsApp at (506) 8612-4242 or email info@paradisemedicalservices.com. Results are provided within 72 business hours (not counting Sundays). Cost: 79,000 colones (about $130).

 

Medklined BioAnalisis Laboratorio (Nosara) – An appointment is required. Call (506) 4703-6007, WhatsApp (506) 8976-6458, or email infomedklined@gmail.com. Results are provided in 24-48 hours. Cost: About $120.

 

Unimed Urgent Care (La Fortuna) – Make an appointment by calling (506) 2479-1903. Results are provided within 48 hours. Cost: $250.

 

Laboratorio Clinico Dr. Jimenez (Grecia) – Make an appointment by calling (506) 2444-6503 or emailing labdrjimenez@hotmail.com. Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Results are provided within 48 hours.