Worried about Testing Requirements? We have you covered!

As of June 13th, 2022 pre-travel testing is no longer necessary for travel to the United States. Europe eliminated this requirement a while back. If you have specific questions about other countries you plan to travel to from Costa Rica, Panama or Nicaragua, please contact the embassy or an official website.

We are happy to help with any questions. Write to us at info@cayugaonline.com or chat with us on our website at www.cayugacollection.com.

By the way…

  • At our hotels and lodges in Costa Rica and Panama, 100% of the staff are fully vaccinated.
  • Hotels, restaurants, beaches, and national parks as well as other tourist attractions are open and functioning normally.  We can help you with reservations to make sure you enjoy all the experiences that you planned for. You won’t miss out on any experiences!
  • All of our guests from North America and Europe comment that health protocols are very well implemented here and that they feel safe.  And as of today, the great majority of our guests are vaccinated and can feel even more confident about travel.
  • Due to the tropical weather in Costa Rica and Panama, the experience at our beach hotels and lodges is mostly open air. Reception, Restaurants and Bars are open-air and well ventilated.

More useful blogs:

Cayuga Collection Safety and Sanitary Measures: https://www.cayugacollection.com/cayuga-collection-hotels-lodges-covid-19-protocols-measures/

Cayuga Collection’s Zero Risk Zero Hassle Reservations and Cancelation Policies: https://www.cayugacollection.com/zero-risk-zero-hassle/

54 Responses

  1. I am flying to Guatemala City on March 1st and returning the same day. My departure from SJO is 1:30 PM. I think, but am not sure yet if Guatemala requires the Covid test before they allow you to board the airplane. Do you know for sure?

    Can I get tested at or near the SJO airport that morning and get the results before my flight? If so, where and how much does it cost? Thank you for your quick reply and help. I am staying at the Hampton Courts Hotel. Do they have testing there perhaps?

    1. Dear Nick,
      thanks for your question. You can get a rapid test at the Hospital Metropolitan in Quepos. Our concierge team at Arenas del Mar can help you set this up. Saludos and safe travels.

    1. Dear Serenity, the closest place as of today to get a rapid test near Uvita is in Manuel Antonio. If you are staying at one of our Cayuga Collection Hotels in the area, our concierge team will be happy to set this up for you so you can enjoy your vacation to the maximum and don’t have to worry about this. Saludos.

  2. Hello,

    is there an option of taking a PCR or antigen test near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and how long should the results take?
    Thank You!

    1. Dear Alex,
      yes, tests are available in that region of the country. It takes about 24 to 48 hours to get the results. Our concierge team at Hotel Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo has become very skilled at setting up tests for our guests. Safe travels.

        1. At Clínica San Gabriel next to Megasuper in Puert Viejo downtown. For our guests at Hotel Aguas Claras, we can also set up the testing in the hotel. Good luck.

  3. Are these antigen tests approved for entering Germany (who accepts Antigen already)?

    Here is the conditions for germany:

    “Meet ≥80% sensitivity and ≥97% specificity. The performance indicators of rapid antigen tests are always compared relative to a PCR test and vary from manufacturer to manufacturer (see package leaflet of antigen test).

    The tests must be performed or supervised (also possible via video) by a third party that is legally authorised to perform or supervise such tests in that country. The third party must also verify and confirm the identity of the tested person with official photo identification. The certificate/test result must indicate what date the test was taken as well as the type of test carried out.

    The proof of testing is to be provided in paper or electronic form in either English, French or German. In order for the competent public health offices to quickly ascertain whether the minimum criteria have been met, the (rapid) antigen test’s manufacturer details must be provided.”

    1. Dear Adam. Regulations with all the countries change often. We recommend to check with the authorities of each country. Once you know what kind of test is permited, we can help you organize the testing at our hotels. Saluods und Gute Reise.

  4. We are looking for a testing site near Uvita. We inquired with Hospital Metropolitano but they are not taking appointments.

    1. We would be happy to set up a test for you. Just contact our concierge team at the hotel. Saludos.

  5. Hi!
    Thanks for the clarifications about the testing. I have a question regarding the quarantine one should do when entering Panama.
    I would like to go first to Costa Rica and then take a flight to Panama City, I don’t understand if I should stay at the hotel for a 3 night stay ?
    I’m wondering because I saw that if you come from UK, South Africa or South America you should do 3 days of quarantine anyways. I was wondering if Costa Rica was part of South America ? (I thought not – rather Central America)

    Thank you in advance for the help!!!

    1. Dear Angela. Thanks for asking. There are lots of test centers in Panama City. Probably your best bet is there. Since we operate in Isla Palenque, Chiriqui, we don’t have information on other locations. Safe travels.

    1. Dear Trixie,
      if yu are not staying at Kura, where we can do the test for you in the hotel, you should go to the local clinic. They can help you there.

  6. Thank you for this article — we need to have PCR tests to return to Canada. We would like to book tests as close to Samara as possible, for early January 2022. Do you know the closest location and are you able to arrange for this?
    Thanks!

    1. Dear Pasha, thanks for reaching out. We don’t operate any Cayuga Collection Hotels in the Samara area and hence, we are not familiar with the testing situation there. It should be no problem though. Just reach out to the hotel you are staying at and they can help you. Safe travels. We are happy to see Canadians travel again.

  7. Hi, are there facilities in panama city that will be able to offer rt-pcr results within a few hours? There is a new rule for unvaccinated citizens traveling back to the U.S. to get tested within 24 hours of departure to the U.S.

    1. Since we operate on the Isla Palenque, we are not quite sure about Panama City. But we can provide local doctors to come to the island, take a sample, and have the results back to you in time for your international flight. Safe travels.

    1. Dear Chandra, we don’t have any Cayuga Collection Hotels in La Fortuna. But yes, of course there are many labs and doctors that can help you do this test in La Fortuna. Safe Travels.

  8. Hello, I’m staying in Uvita area and will need a test to my flight back to US on Wednesday, Dec 1. Can you please explain how can I schedule an appointment. Thank you

    1. Thanks for reaching out. If you are staying with us at Kura in Uvita, we can arrange somebody to come to the hotel and take the sample. If not, we recommend you call the local doctor in town. Safe travels.

  9. I am traveling to Westin Costa Rica end of January 2022.
    CDC now says COVID testing needs to be within 24 hours prior to departure.
    Can this be done at the Westin? I see it says 24-72 hours but it has to be with in 24 hrs.

    1. Dear Cheryl,
      thanks for reading our Cayuga Collection Blog. While I cannot speak for the Westin, I know that at our hotels it is no problem to get you the Antigen Test within 24 hours. So I assume that a company like Westin is also able to do this. Safe travels and all the best for the holidays.

  10. Hello,

    I was wondering if there is any PCR testing in Puerto Jimenez. I will be flying out at the end of January from Puerto Jimenez to San Jose and on the same day fly out of San Jose.
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    1. Dear Theo, thanks for reaching out. We don’t manage any Cayuga Collection Hotels in Puerto Jimenez. But I am sure if you reach out to the hotel or lodge where you are staying, they will be able to help you. We can easily arrange this at any of our hotels if you stay with us. Safe travels.

  11. Hello Cayuga

    I have a question about vaccination. I am basically a perpetual tourist living here in C.R. and I am hoping you could offer me some direction. Are there any privet doctors or clinics here in C.R. where I could pay to have my covid vaccine administered?

    1. Dear Rockman,
      thanks for your message. We will reach out to you by e-mail to see how we can help you. Saludos.

  12. I am looking to book a PCR test in Quepos, Costa Rica with Linea Vital for Jan 26th 2021 or Jan 27th 2021, for my arrival in Canada on Jan 29th. Do you happen to know how to book the appointment ahead of time? Wondering if you have recommendation who to contact. Thank you!

    1. Dear Laura,
      thanks for reaching out. If you stay with us at Arenas del Mar in Manuel Antonio, we can take care of all of this for you. In case you booked your stay somewhere else, we recommend you reach out to Linea Vital at 2777-6868 or operaciones@lineavitalcr.com. Safe travels.

  13. My partner and I are staying in Panama for 3 days before going on to Bonaire. The testing at PYT is 50$ for the PCR test? If we arrive 2 hours before our flight and get tested, will that be enough time to get results?

    1. Dear Mariano. Best to double-check with the local authorities here. A PCR Test will take up to 24 hours. But the antigen test will be ready at the airport within two hours. Safe travels.

  14. Hey, i have a question about Self testing. Is it possible to buy a Self Test in a pharmacy or drug store or something like that in Liberia? Or do we have to go to a lab? Trank you

    1. Dear Jay,
      thanks for asking. Self testing is not an option for getting on airplanes and international travel. Sorry, you will have to use an official lab and use their results. Safe travels.

  15. Hello,
    I would need to get a PCR test in San José one day before my departure and get the results not later than 24 hours. Could that be arranged?
    Thanks in advance and BR

    1. Dear Giulia,
      this is no problem. There are many labs all over San Jose where you can get a PCR test and you will get the results in less than 24 hours.

  16. Hi there. Are all tests in Costa Rica the nasopharyngeal tests? Hoping to travel with children and that is not really a good option for them (have had bad experiences with it with the kids). Thank you.

    1. Hi Jo,
      as of today, the tests done here are taking the samples from the nose. I hope that this will not hold you back from visiting us. Saludos from sunny Costa Rica.

  17. Hello,
    I ran across information that the CDC has now approved Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag At-Home self test for international travel for re-entry into countries. I’d like to verify this because I don’t see testing at the airport where I’m departing in David to Panama City, and my layover in Panama City is only 1.5 hours before my connecting flight back to the States. Airport Tocumen in Panama City offers testing but 1.5 hours is a pretty tight time frame and I’m afraid I may miss my flight waiting for the results. The self test would solve my dilemma if it’s an acceptable form for testing to board flights for re-entry.
    Thanks

    1. Dear Brenda,
      at this point in time, we recommend to take “official tests” in labs so do you don’t run into problems. We have not heard that self tests are accepted by airlines. Things keep changing so probably best to check with the airline you are flying. Safe travels.

  18. Good morning, I’ll be traveling all day to San Jose via Manuel Antonio. Can I drop-in test in Manuel Antonio and get emailed results by the time of my flight tomorrow morning at 10?

    1. Dear Linda. Yes, this works for Antigen tests which is what is required to travel back to the US. Safe travels. Any other questions, that might come up, let our reservations team know. Saludos.

  19. We need an antigen test before leaving to Canada. Can we get it at the airport and get the results before checking in to board our plane.

    1. Dear Erika,
      yes that works. But you would have to be at the airport about 2 hours earlier than you normally would just allow for the results of the Antigen test to get back to you. We recommend that you take the test the day before. We can have somebody come to our hotels and do this so you can enjoy your vacation to the very end. Saludos and safe travels.

    1. Thanks for your question. At this point in time, this is not available, but that could change in the near future.

  20. Is testing at the airport still open 24/7? I have a 1am flight and want to be sure I can still come early and get my test.

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