COVID-19 Testing Information
Get tested and flight-ready with Costa Rica’s top clinical laboratories.
Here’s everything you need to know to get tested in Costa Rica.
Our commitment:
LABIN Laboratories is committed to working with our patients, health care providers, laboratories, and government agencies as we all face the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since early 2020, our clinical staff has been on the front lines providing lifesaving care for patients with COVID-19. We were the first private lab authorized for performing PCR SARS-2-CoV R.N.A. Virus by the Costa Rican Human and Health Services on March 23, 2020.
A word of caution.
If you are seriously ill, please seek immediate medical care from a healthcare professional. If you have a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Signs of a severe medical condition include, but are not limited to: severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, persistent vomiting, diarrhea.
Ensure the safety of a trustworthy result with LABIN. Lower quality or poorly performed tests can give false-positive results. The sample for this Test is extracted through your nose. Thus the procedure must be completed by experienced professionals who guarantee the least risk to your health.
Let’s get you flying.
A SARS-CoV-2 PCR or SARS-CoV-2 Antigen test is essential as a requirement for traveling. The U.S. and other countries worldwide have imposed a range of travel restrictions and testing requirements due to COVID-19. Travel requirements are updated often, so we recommend checking the latest entry requirements before your trip. Please read the important information in the sections below.
Account
Create your account or sign in to your existing free LABIN account and purchase the Test.
Questionnaire
Complete the required Costa Rican Human and Health Services questionnaire.
Book
Tell us where you are or choose the nearest test collection site.
Results
Receive test results via e-mail 24-36 hours after sample collection.
Our commitment to your safety.
We are committed to providing you with a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols for working to defeat COVID-19, redefining our cleaning and safety standards. We actively monitor and evolve our solutions to ensure a continued focus on our patients’ and staff’s health and safety. Our new enhanced cleaning technologies include electrostatic sprayers to sanitize surfaces and air purifying systems effective against viruses in the air and on surfaces. We are limiting the number of patients, prioritizing appointments, and spacing out chairs in waiting rooms.
Face Mask Required
Even More Frequent Cleaning
Online Scheduling and Results
Social Distancing
FAQ
COVID-19 Testing, Labin and other useful resources.
LABIN has 48 collection sites, distributed in the Greater Metropolitan Area, 2 Drive-Thru stations conveniently located in San Jose, one in the East and the other in the West. You can also schedule a collection at your hotel or place that you’re staying.
Covid-19 results will be sent in Spanish and English less than 24 hours when the collection occurs in one of our facilities. For samples taken in Guanacaste, Puntarenas, and Limón, results will arrive 24-36 hours.
LABIN continues to monitor how turnaround times are affected by demand, supplies, and other factors. As of February 01, 2021, the current average time to deliver results for the COVID-19 Swab PCR test is one day from the date the specimen was collected or received in our facilities. Results are delivered to you electronically.
A detected result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 R.N.A. is present and suggests the diagnosis of COVID-19. Test results should always be considered in the context of a patient’s clinical history, physical examination, and epidemiologic exposures when making the final diagnosis. You must contact a health care provider. Your country embassy can provide information or call 9 1 1.
When filling in any information, please be specific about the following:
- Do you have COVID-19 symptoms?
- Have you come into contact with someone who you know is infected by the coronavirus?
Please provide the most accurate information in the test request form, which also is required by local authorities to comply with guidelines.
You do not need to do anything to prepare for the Test. We will provide instructions at the testing facility. For the virus and antigen tests, a doctor or other healthcare provider takes a sample from the nose and throat using a swab. The following videos can help to prepare you for what to expect:
Adults: https://youtu.be/1jVNeSnVSks
PCR SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) + flu swab test
This Test is a qualitative multi-target molecular diagnostic that aids in simultaneous COVID-19, influenza A, influenza B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus detection. Symptoms of COVID-19 and flu are often similar, making it difficult to determine what might be making you feel sick.
With just one Test, LABIN COVID-19 + flu panel PCR helps you and your doctor determine if you have COVID-19 or the flu. It eliminates the need for multiple tests or doctor visits and can help you get the right treatment plan as soon as possible.
LABIN has been regularly tracking the coronavirus mutations throughout the pandemic to determine their impact on our PCR test sensitivity. These include a new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 (VOC 202012/01 or B.1.1.7) U.K. and more recently in the U.S. To date, we have not seen any effect. The B.1.1.7 strain is detectable by our current molecular Testing.
Information in the Test that LABIN is using:
Healthcare Providers: https://www.fda.gov/media/137177/download
Patients: https://www.fda.gov/media/137180/download
SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test
We obtain these rapid tests for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen (Ag) via nasopharyngeal swab specimens. A physician must use these Test results alongside clinical observations, patient history, and epidemiological information for proper treatment. The Test is not a donor screening for SARS-CoV-2.
Information about the Test that LABIN will be using:
Healthcare Providers: https://www.fda.gov/media/141568/download
Patients: https://www.fda.gov/media/141569/download
For more information visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html
Our hours
6:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Saturday
*May vary according to location.