PCR Test: looking to get a COVID-19 test in Medellín? We provide advice and information on places and prices for COVID-19 tests in Medellín.

Coronavirus show no signs of going away in Colombia. Many Medellin Guru readers have asked about COVID-19 tests and particularly about PCR tests needed for international travel.

Note the U.S. will start requiring a COVID-19 test for travelers to the U.S. starting on January 26, either a PCR test or an antigen test.

Whether you need a PCR test for travel, arrived in Colombia without a PCR test and need a PCR test, have symptoms or have been in contact with someone infected, we provide information about obtaining COVID-19 tests in Medellín.

We also have articles about where to get a COVID-test in Bogotá and how to get a COVID-19 test in Cartagena.

Do You Need a Test?

Many people don’t necessarily need to be tested for coronavirus and can avoid putting strain on the medical system.

If you’re traveling to another country you may need to get tested, depending on country.

Also, if you have a visa and arrived in Colombia without a PCR test, if you get negative results from a PCR test in Colombia you avoid the need to quarantine tor 14 days. You can obtain PCR test results 48 hours or less in Medellín.

If you’ve had contact with infected people it’s probably a good idea even if you don’t have symptoms. However, you can simply self-isolate for 14 days. The most common symptoms include: fever, dry cough, loss of taste and/or smell.

The second decision is whether you want to leave the house or not. You may find it hard to get around, or you may be worried about infecting others as you travel. EPS insurance providers generally recommend home visits for tests, private clinics may offer home service at a small cost. Waiting for a home visit reduces infection chances, but will increase overall time.

The U.S. Requires a COVID-19 Test Starting on January 26

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 12 issued an order that will require a negative COVID-19 test from all air passengers entering the United States starting on January 26 — a move it says may help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

To enter the U.S., you will need to be tested no more than three days before your flight to the U.S. departs. Make sure to be tested with a viral test (PCR or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19.

This used to be 72 hours but the CDC has since clarified what it means by its three-day policy. Their explanation makes the requirement more straightforward for travelers:

The 3-day period is the three days before the flight’s departure. 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.

If you have had a positive viral COVID-19 test in the past 3 months and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel to the U.S. instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.”

Airlines will not permit you to board on flights to the U.S. starting on January 26 if you do not have a required test or documentation of recovery.

On April 2, 2021, the CDC announced that a COVID test is no longer needed for domestic travel in the U.S. if fully vaccinated. Some readers were confused by this thinking they can travel internationally to the U.S. without a COVID test if fully vaccination. According to the CDC on April 2:

If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States (US) and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

A PCR Test is Required for Travel to Colombia

You have three options regarding a PCR test to enter Colombia depending if you are a tourist (non-resident) or resident with a visa:

  1. If you are a non-resident (tourist) starting on April 7, 2021, you must get a PCR test with negative results taken a maximum of 96 hours before your flight and you do not have to quarantine.
  2. If you are a resident with a M visa, R visa  or V visa or a Colombian citizen and don’t have a PCR test, you must quarantine for 14 days when arrive in Colombia.
  3. If you are a resident with a M visa, R visa or V visa a Colombian citizen, you can get a PCR test when you arrive in Colombia and quarantine until you receive negative results. It is possible to get PCR test results within 48 hours in Medellín.

What is a PCR Test?

The two most common are PCR and antigen (antígeno), with antibody testing coming a distant third.

The first type of test, RT-PCR is a molecular test that is considered the gold standard and is used by Colombia for most of its test. PT-PCR stands for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test, which tries to find genetic sequences of the virus by deploying primers – chemicals or reagents which are added to test if a reaction occurs – that attach to the targeted genetic sequences.

The PCR test and antigen tests are performed with nasal swabs and are usually the most reliable in the early stages of the disease.

  1. A PCR test is typically needed for travel and is a more accurate test, especially in the early stages of coronavirus. However, this test is more expensive and takes longer to return results.
  2. The antigen test is quicker and not always as reliable as a PCR test. This test is typically recommended only if you have symptoms or seven days after you’ve had contact with someone who’s tested positive.
  3. The antibody (anticuerpo) test is another option, although much less useful. This test is a rapid serological test that relies on detecting antibodies in a blood sample, usually obtained through a simple finger prick. These tests do not require special equipment to process the results.
Clínica las Américas, photo by SajoR

Clínica las Américas, photo by SajoR

Getting a COVID-19 Test at Private Hospitals

You can obtain a COVID-19 test at private hospitals in Medellín. Medellín has nine of the best hospitals in Latin America.

We recommend Clinica Las Americas in Belén, which has a drive through test with relatively fast results. One Medellin Guru reader went at 9 am for a PCR test and had results in 5 hours but this depends on how busy the lab is. Normal processing is up to 48 hours. Clinica Las Americas has a lab onsite. So, there is no need to send the test to a lab elsewhere.

Test Location – Clinica Las Americas, Diagonal 75B # 2A-80/140, near PriceSmart.

Website: https://laboratoriomedico.lasamericas.com.co/

  • PCR test cost – 288,000 pesos
  • Antigen test cost – 130,000 pesos
  • Antibody test cost – 90,000 pesos
  • Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm, possibly open in the morning on Saturday.
  • Appointment – not needed
  • Time for PCR test results – 48 hours or less
COVID-19 tests are new available at the José María Córdova (MDE) Airport

COVID-19 tests are new available at the José María Córdova (MDE) Airport

Getting a COVID-19 Test at the José María Córdova (MDE) Airport

According to El Colombiano, Airplan announced that the José María Córdova Airport (MDE), located in Rionegro and serving Medellín, will now have a laboratory to carry out tests to detect COVID-1. This service is provided by WTA Latam and Healtix Home 24 hours a day.

  • PCR test cost – 230,000 pesos
  • Antigen test cost – 80,000 pesos
  • Hours: 24 hours per day.
  • Appointment – not needed
  • Time for PCR test results –36 hours or less. Or 20 to 40 minutes for an antigen test.

Getting a COVID-19 Test at Private Labs

There are labs in Medellín, which offer COVID-19 tests. One Medellin Guru reader reported a good experience at PROANALAB.

Test Location – PROANALAB, Carrera 49 #60-05, Prado, El Centro

Website: https://www.proanalab.com/

  • PCR test cost – 270,000 pesos
  • Antigen test cost – 140,000 pesos
  • Antibody test cost – 90,000 pesos
  • Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday: 8 am to 1 pm
  • Appointment – not needed
  • Time for PCR test results – 48 hours or less
COVID-19 Testing Tent in Sabaneta, across the street from the Vaquita grocery store

COVID-19 Testing Tent in Sabaneta, across the street from the Vaquita grocery store

Getting a COVID-19 Test at Mobile Tents

There are a few mobile tents set up in the Medellín metro area that permit walk-ins and drive through COVID-19 tests.

Testing tents associated with PROANALAB are set up in Laureles, Sabaneta and Central Mayorista in Itagüí. Note that the Itagüí location does not offer PCR tests. In addition, they offer domicilio (home) tests).

Flyer of the COVID-19 testing tent in Sabaneta

Flyer of the COVID-19 testing tent in Sabaneta

Test Locations:

  1. Laureles – Carrera 76 #32EE29
  2. Sabaneta – Carrera 43A #64Sur-87 (across from the Vaquita grocery store)
  3. Itagüí – Central Mayorista (no PCR tests offered here)
  • PCR test cost – 270,000 pesos
  • Antigen test cost – 140,000 pesos
  • Antibody test cost – 90,000 pesos
  • Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Appointment – not needed
  • Time for PCR test results – 48 hours or less

Two Medellin Guru readers obtaining PCR tests at the Sabaneta location. One received his results in 48 hours and the other in 24 hours. If you go early in the day and their lab is not busy it is possible to obtain results the next day.

Getting a COVID-19 Test Using EPS Insurance

Since all EPS insurance providers are different, prices will vary, possibly dramatically. Two Medellin Guru readers used SURA EPS to obtain a PCR test.  They couldn’t get at test at a SURA medical center, but had to schedule a visit to their home. Scheduling can vary, for one reader it was the same day and the other in three days.

EPS call centers may avoid appointments for tests if you don’t have symptoms and may ask you to self-isolate instead of taking a test. Also, processing times are longer than private hospitals and labs.

  • PCR test cost – free or low cost
  • Antigen test cost – free or low cost
  • Antibody test cost – free or low cost
  • Appointment – needed
  • Time for test results – 72 hours or longer
Computer generated image of COVID-19, photo by Felipe Esquivel Reed

Computer generated image of COVID-19, photo by Felipe Esquivel Reed

Medellin Guru’s Coronavirus Series

Medellin Guru has a series of articles about the coronavirus pandemic and the impacts in Colombia: Also, these articles are being kept up-to-date, as this is a fast-moving topic:

The Bottom Line: PCR Test – How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Medellín

Many Medellin Guru readers have asked about how to obtain a PCR test or COVID-19 test in Medellin. So, we provided this guide.

It is possible to obtain a PCR test in Medellín for cheaper than in the U.S. Many readers have reported they paid from $150 to $250 for a PCR test in the U.S. For example, one reader recently reported they paid $200 USD for a PCR test in the U.S. And you can obtain a PCR test in Medellin for less than $100 USD.

However, one reader also reports that it is possible to get a free PCR test in Texas, Kansas, D.C., Arizona and South Carolina from gogettested.com with results reportedly within 48 to 96 hours.

There are many places that provide COVID-19 tests in Medellín and we provide information about a few testing paces in this article that Medellin Guru readers have reported success and good service.

If readers have experienced success with other COVID-19 testing places in Medellín, please let us know about the testing place including the cost and processing time in the comments below. We can add to this article.

Sign up for the Free Medellin Guru Newsletter – You can see all of the previous Medellin Guru weekly email newsletters and sign up here.

Editors note: updated on January 15, 2021 to add the lab PROANALAB to the article.

Editors note: updated on January 28, 2021 to add information about gogettested.com.

Editors note: updated on January 31, 2021 to add information that COVID-19 testing is now available at the José María Córdova Airport (MDE),

Editors note: updated on March 1, 2021 with information that the CDC clarified and that the 3-day period is the 3 days before the flight’s departure instead of the previous 72 hours.

Editors note: updated on April 3, 2021 with information about the CDC announcement stating that a COVID test is no longer needed for domestic travel in the U.S. but this does not apply for international travel to the U.S., a COVID test is still required for travel to the U.S. from international locations.

Editors note: updated on April 8, 2021 with information that a PCR test is now required for all tourists (non residents) traveling to Colombia.

Liked it? Take a second to support Medellin Guru on Patreon! The future of Medellin Guru needs the help of readers to remain ad free.