The below information is intended as a guide, however, government advice is subject to change and without prior notice.

As such, we strongly recommend that you regularly check with the relevant government authorities for the most up-to-date advice and requirements for your travel route.

Travelling to the US

Before you travel

As of June 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers travelling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative Covid-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from Covid-19 before they board their flight.

This is liable to change, so please continue to review the Centers for Disease Control’s full guidelines on pre-travel PCR testing.

When you arrive

When you arrive in the US you should follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel and, if you do test positive, isolate yourself to protect others (learn what to do). Please review the Centers for Disease Control’s full guidelines on returning home after international travel.

Travelling to the UK

At present, you do not need to take any Covid-19 tests or fill in a passenger locator form. This applies whether you are fully vaccinated or not. Please check with the British Government Guidance before you travel.

Travelling to the EU

Entry requirements to the European Union vary between member nations. Please review the EU’s country-specific guidance.

Travelling to all other countries

For all other countries, please check your government’s official guidance.

PCR testing before you leave Chile or Argentina

If your home country requires you to present a negative Covid-19 test result on arrival, you will need to arrange to take a take whilst you are still in Chile or Argentina. Your travel itinerary and when you are required to take the test will determine whether you should book a test in Patagonia before you head north, or in the capitals of Santiago or Buenos Aires before your flight home.

Our preferred testing sites in Chile and Argentina are as follows. Other test centres may also be available. There is also a full list of labs and clinics that are recognised by the Chilean Health Authorities for PCR testing in Santiago (‘metropolitana’).

Please note that the following list is intended as a guide only, and Swoop Patagonia cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or for the service provided. Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and before your visit, as information may change.

Testing in Santiago, Chile

Our recommended testing sites in Santiago are as follows, in order of our preference. Other test centres are also available.

Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and your visit, as information may change.

1. Genosur

Location: Hilton Hotel, 4km from Santiago de Chile Airport, Santiago City, or delivered to a Santiago location (such as a hotel) of your choice

Cost: Approximately $30-55 USD

Test type: PCR

Opening times: 10am-5pm Monday to Friday, 2-4pm Saturday

English spoken: Yes

Approximate processing time: 4 hours (during opening hours)

2. Bionet

Location: Arrivals terminal Santiago de Chile Airport, Santiago City, or delivered to a Santiago location (such as a hotel) of your choice

Cost: Approximately $30-55 USD

Test type: PCR

Opening times: 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday

English spoken: Yes

Approximate processing time: 12-24 hours

Book: For airport and city centre lab services, no appointment is needed, customers are seen per order of arrival. For home/hotel sampling, book a test.

3. Cellus

Location: mobile testing - available at a Santiago location (such as a hotel) of your choice

Cost: Approximately $50-60 USD

Test type: PCR

Opening times: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

English spoken: Unconfirmed

Approximate processing time: 24 hours (during opening hours)

Testing in Punta Arenas, Chile

Our recommended testing site in Punta Arenas is as follows. 

Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and your visit, as information may change.

1. Medilab

Location: Central Punta Arenas – Monsignor José Fagnano 504

Cost: $18-30 USD

Test type: PCR and antigen

Opening times: 11am-4pm Monday to Thursday

English spoken: Unconfirmed

Approximate processing time: PCR testing: 24-72 hours, antigen testing: 12 hours

Book: via WhatsApp +56 9 9005 8353

2. Laboratorio DeAgostini

Location: Av. Guillermo Pérez de Arce 401-447

Cost: $30-50 USD

Test type: PCR and antigen

Opening times: 8am-11am and 3pm-4.30pm Monday to Friday, 8am-11am Saturdays (only antigen testing is available, not PCR testing)

English spoken: Unconfirmed

Approximate processing time: PCR testing 24 hours or less, antigen testing 1 hour

Book: Appointments via email laboratoriodeagostini@gmail.com or call +56 6122 22068

Testing in Puerto Natales

Our recommended testing site in Punta Natales is as follows. 

Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and your visit, as information may change.

1. Laboratorio BioHealth

Location: Baquedano 781, Puerto Natales (centrally located)

Cost: $90 USD for a PCR, $53 USD for an antigen

Test type: PCR and antigen

Opening times: 8am-12.30pm and 2-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-12.30pm Saturday (out of hours testing possible if booking in advance)

English spoken: Unconfirmed

Approximate processing time: 24 hours for a PCR, 4 hours for an antigen

Book: 
Book a PCR test
Book an antigen test

Testing in the Lake District, Chile

1. Patagonia Testing

Location: Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt

Cost: $30-60 USD

Test type: PCR or Antigen

Opening times: 8am-4pm Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm Saturday

English spoken: Yes

Approximate processing time: 24 hours

Results: Results are in English and Spanish

Contact: Email: info@patagoniatesting.cl / Whatsapp: +56942567770

Testing in Aysen, Chile

1. CEM Lab

Location: Almirante Barroso 817, Coyhaique, Región de Aysen

Cost: $50-80 USD

Test type: PCR and antigen

Opening times: 12pm-8pm Monday to Friday

English spoken: Unconfirmed

Approximate processing time: PCR testing 48 hours or less, antigen testing 2 hours

Book: To make an appointment, email pbrito@cemedica.cl at least 3 days before your test is required (testing at your accommodation can be requested at an additional cost)

Results: Results are via email, in English and Spanish

Testing in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Recommended testing sites in Buenos Aires are as follows (other test centres are also available).

Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and your visit, as information may change.

1. Rossi Labs

Location: Various central Buenos Aires locations

Cost: Approximately $80 USD for a PCR test, $40 USD for an antigen test

Test type: PCR and antigen tests are both available

Opening times: Typically 7am-8pm but times vary by location

English spoken: In some locations

Approximate processing time: PCR 24 hours, antigen 30 mins

Testing in Los Glaciares, Argentina

Our recommended testing site in Los Glaciares is as follows. 

Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and your visit, as information may change.

1. Centro Ticona

Location: El Calafate, central

Cost: Approximately $90 USD for a PCR test, $30 USD for an antigen test

Test type: PCR and antigen

Opening times: Open for PCR testing 8am-9.30am Monday to Friday (results within 24hrs), antigen testing 8am-1pm and 4.30pm-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-12pm Saturday (results in 30 mins)

English spoken: Basic English is spoken

Approximate processing time: PCR at least 24 hours, antigen 30 minutes

To book: Call +54 2902 491202, WhatsApp +54 9 2966 536207 or email lbticona@gmail.com – although you don’t need an appointment

Testing in Ushuaia, Argentina

Our recommended testing site in Ushuaia is as follows.

Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and your visit, as information may change.

1. Pax & Crew

Location: Punto Covid Centre, Calle Fitz-Roy 280, Downtown Ushuaia

Cost: $180 USD for an RT-Lamp test 

Test type: RT-Lamp (best test for a tight turnaround)

Opening times: 7am-8pm Monday to Sunday

English spoken: Yes

Approximate processing time: 1-3 hours for an RT-Lamp test - results are shared via email in English

Book: To book an appointment call or WhatsApp Cecilia on +54 9 2901 519278 or email testing@paxandcrew.com.ar

To book, you must provide:

  • Full name
  • Other personal details (passport number, date of birth etc)
  • Date and time of testing required

It is possible to book your testing directly with the Sanatorio San Jorge lab (details immediately below) – from which Pax & Crew operate – for a lower cost. However, Pax & Crew's English-speaking service helps travellers secure Covid test bookings at the lab and ensures appointments run smoothly. You may feel it is worth the additional cost for the peace of mind this provides.

2. Sanatorio San Jorge

Location: Downtown Ushuaia – Onachaga 184, V9410 BQC, Tierra del Fuego. For groups of 8 or more, testing can be arranged at your hotel for no additional charge.

Cost: Approximately $115-125 USD for PCR testing, $40-55 USD for antigen testing

Test type: PCR, antigen, RT-Lamp test (best test for a tight turnaround)

Opening times: 8am-6pm, 365 days a year

English spoken: Unconfirmed

Approximate processing time: 24 hours for PCR testing, 2 hours for antigen testing

Payment: Via credit card or bank transfer. If paying in USD cash, expect to pay 20-30% less given the preferential rate of exchange for this currency.

3. Laboratorio Gobernador Paz

Location: Downtown Ushuaia – Gobernador Paz 1523

Cost: $125 USD for PCR testing, $50 USD for antigen testing

Test type: PCR and antigen

Opening times: 8am-5pm Monday to Friday, 9am-11.30am Saturdays

English spoken: Broken English

Approximate processing time: PCR results in 24 hours, antigen testing results in 15 minutes

Booking: Booking is necessary via WhatsApp +54 9 2901 496530


Disclaimer

Information provided by Swoop is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time only, but in this fast-changing environment, we cannot be held responsible for changes not immediately reflected on this website or in information shared with you. Customers should undertake their own research appropriate to their individual circumstances before making final decisions.

Where links to government, operators or other third-party sites are provided, again this information is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot be held responsible for third-party content.