In Peñuelas Municipio, reported chlamydia runs about 76% lower than the US average. If you want to get tested in Tallaboa Alta, Puerto Rico, before starting a new relationship or as part of ongoing care, consider your options: public clinics keep costs down, private labs prioritize speed, and at-home kits trade a clinic visit for convenience. Browse the list below to find your best fit.
Available testing centers
3 testing options are listed for Tallaboa Alta, PR. The nearest, Med Centro Penuelas Satellite Center, is about 1.3 miles away. Compare 3 community and public clinics, private labs, and at-home kits below.
Listings tagged Community health center are federally funded health centers and rural clinics that treat everyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay: required to bill on a sliding fee scale and provide confidential care, and in many states minors may consent to their own STI testing. A Title X tag flags centers funded for confidential family-planning services; confirm current participation when you call.
Source: CMS FQHC & Rural Health Clinic enrollment files (data.cms.gov), refreshed quarterly. Title X status reflects the latest OPA grantee list.
Med Centro Penuelas Satellite Center, in Peñuelas, carries federally qualified health center standing: meaning syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia screening is priced on a sliding scale tied to income. No appointment is needed to walk in and use those services.
Tests offered
Fees & payment
Med Centro Healthcare System in Peñuelas provides every service (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and TB testing through treatment) at no charge, with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted alongside a free HIV test for all. Walk-ins welcome.
Med Centro Healthcare System bills Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance directly, and absorbs remaining costs so the fee column reaches zero regardless of coverage status. The free HIV test is a standing clinic-wide policy, not a program with enrollment requirements.
Spanish is the sole working language at Med Centro Healthcare System: not a supported option but the language in which counseling, TB treatment protocols, and HIV/AIDS medical management are clinically conducted. That single-language operation removes the friction of translation from every clinical decision.
Med Centro Healthcare System tests for herpes alongside HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia as part of its regular panel. Herpes diagnosis informs STI treatment planning on-site, since bacterial infections are treated the same visit and HIV/AIDS is managed through the clinic's own medical treatment program.
Languages
English, Spanish
Tests offered
Serves
Care services
Prevention services
Fees & payment
Listing verified Oct 2025 · Source: CDC NPIN
Med Centro el Tuque Satellite Center in Ponce meets patients who are between providers, paying cash, or working without insurance by anchoring STI care in federally qualified status. Meaning fees follow a sliding scale tied to income. Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia screening is available without an appointment.
Tests offered
Fees & payment
Free tool · not a clinic
Testing too soon can miss an infection. Enter the date of possible exposure to see the earliest a test can reliably detect each STI.
| Infection | Earliest reliable test | Conclusive after |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 7 days after exposure | 14 days after exposure |
| Gonorrhea | 7 days after exposure | 14 days after exposure |
| Trichomoniasis | 7 days after exposure | 28 days after exposure |
| HIV (NAT / RNA) | 10 days after exposure | 33 days after exposure |
| HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) | 18 days after exposure | 45 days after exposure |
| HIV (antibody) | 21 days after exposure | 84 days after exposure |
| Syphilis | 21 days after exposure | 42 days after exposure |
| Hepatitis B | 21 days after exposure | 42 days after exposure |
| Hepatitis C | 56 days after exposure | 77 days after exposure |
| Herpes (HSV) | 28 days after exposure | 112 days after exposure |
Guidance only, confirm timing with a clinician. A negative result before the conclusive date may need a repeat test.
Typical out-of-pocket ranges by option, actual cost depends on which tests you need.
Public / community clinic
Free HIV testing is common
Private lab (self-pay)
Never billed to insurance
At-home kit
Mailed to your door, private
Doctor / urgent care
Often $0 preventive with insurance
No centers match those filters. Clear the service-type filter or the opening-hours filters to see every center.
Every other option
Beyond the dedicated testing centers above: at-home kits by mail, hospital labs certified for STI testing, local clinicians who can order a panel during a regular visit, pharmacies for self-test kits and prescriptions, and online PrEP & treatment.
Test from home
The nearest testing center is about 1 mile away; if you'd rather skip the trip, an at-home kit ships to Tallaboa Alta, you collect the sample privately, and mail it back to a CLIA-certified lab. Results come online in days, with a clinician available if anything is positive. Same labs as a clinic, no waiting room, and you can read how accurate at-home STD tests are before you order.
Want a free option first? The CDC-supported TakeMeHome (opens in a new tab) program mails free at-home HIV self-test kits, and, in many areas, free STI kits, to your door, with no insurance or payment needed. The paid kits below add broader panels and faster turnaround.
In-home collection
$79 & up
Best range: couples & full panels
$79 & up
Best value: single tests
$49 & up
Every kit uses CLIA-certified labs. At-home testing is for screening; a reactive result should be confirmed and treated by a clinician. Prices and panels shown are illustrative and change often, confirm current details on the provider's site.
Also in the area
Beyond the public testing sites above, these federally certified (CLIA) labs serve Peñuelas Municipio, each lab's town is shown on its card below. Many test through a doctor's order or by appointment rather than walk-in, so call ahead to confirm STD/STI testing and availability before visiting.
Calle Pedro Velazquez Diaz 628, Penuelas, PR 00624
CMS-certified lab
#315 Munoz Rivera, Penuelas, PR 00624
CMS-certified lab
Km Hm 6-5 Carr #385 Bo Cuevas, Penuelas, PR 00624
CMS-certified lab
Source: CMS CLIA registry (Provider of Services), Q1 2026. Federal public records: active CLIA-certified laboratories near Tallaboa Alta. A CLIA certificate records only that a laboratory is federally certified — it does not confirm the site performs STD testing, nor its hours, price or access. Inclusion is not an endorsement; always call to verify.
Local clinicians
Beyond dedicated clinics, 347 primary-care, OB-GYN, infectious-disease and other clinicians have a CMS practice record within 30 miles of Tallaboa Alta. They may be able to evaluate symptoms or order a confidential STD panel during a regular visit, and 8 offer telehealth.
Jose Santiago Santiago, MD
Internal medicine · 602 Calle Jose V Rodriguez, Penuelas
Amedee Lefebre Fernandez, MD
Internal medicine · 503 Calle Munoz Rivera, Penuelas
Zullimary Rodriguez Galarza, MD
Family medicine · 405 Calle Francisco Palau, Ponce
Gil Torres Lugo, MD
Family medicine · 523 Calle Ramos Antonini, Ponce
Wilfredo Soto Fuentes, MD
General practice · 10 Calle, Ponce
Bethzaida Torres Nadal, MD
Family medicine · 2015 Boulevard Luis A Ferre, Ponce
These are registry-listed clinicians, not dedicated STD-testing clinics. CMS records do not independently verify current licensure, testing services, availability, price, or new-patient status. Confirm each detail before booking. Source: CMS Doctors & Clinicians.
Nearby pharmacies
No pharmacy near Tallaboa Alta, PR publishes an STD-related service or holds a current CLIA testing certificate, so these are simply the closest. Contact a location directly to confirm counter hours, services, prices, and availability before visiting.
Farmacia el Amal # 66
1.3 miFarmacia Wil-Sons
4.0 miGil Compounding Pharmacy
4.1 mi
4.3 mi Farmacia Jardines del Caribe
4.4 miFarmacia Santa Ana
5.5 miShowing the 6 closest pharmacies to Tallaboa Alta, PR.
Directory records identify nearby pharmacies. Service, stock, price, and hours information is shown only when supported by current location-specific evidence.
Prevention & treatment
Testing is one step. For residents of Tallaboa Alta, telehealth covers the rest: HIV-prevention medication (PrEP) and DoxyPEP to lower future risk, and discreet online treatment if a result comes back positive. All prescribed by licensed U.S. clinicians.
From $0 insured
Telehealth PrEP & DoxyPEP with at-home testing and ongoing monitoring
$0 with most insurance
Free online PrEP & DoxyPEP: HIV prevention, home lab kits, no in-person visit
Visit from $0 insured
Telehealth STI treatment and sexual-health care, delivered or to your pharmacy
Visit from $39
Online STI treatment & DoxyPEP: same-day prescriptions to your pharmacy
Pricing varies by insurance and changes often, confirm on the provider's site. These services are not a substitute for emergency care.
STD stats & rates
How reported STI rates in Peñuelas Municipio, the municipio that includes Tallaboa Alta, compare with Puerto Rico and U.S. averages, based on the most recent 2023 surveillance data. An estimated ~29% of residents are aged 15–34 (ACS), the age group with the highest reported chlamydia and gonorrhea rates nationally.
#50 of 78 Puerto Rico counties for chlamydia, a higher rate than 36% of the state
| Infection | Peñuelas Municipio | Puerto Rico | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 117.6 23 cases ▼ 27% | 162.1 | 492.2 |
| Gonorrhea | 10.2 2 cases ▼ 72% | 37 | 179.5 |
| Syphilis (P&S) | — no data | 13.6 | 15.8 |
| Syphilis (early) | 5.1 1 cases ▼ 74% | 19.6 | 16 |
| Syphilis (late/unknown) | 5.1 1 cases ▼ 67% | 15.6 | 29.5 |
Rates per 100,000 population, 2023. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis). Population figures: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. These figures are the latest available surveillance estimates. Bars are scaled to the highest rate shown.
Reading these numbers: reported case rates only count infections that were actually tested for and diagnosed, so they track local screening effort as much as true spread: a higher rate can reflect more testing, a lower one less. Either way, most STIs cause no symptoms, so treat the figures above as context rather than a verdict, and test on the CDC's schedule regardless of how your area looks.
Between 2020 and 2023 in Peñuelas Municipio, chlamydia has risen from 78.4 to 117.6 per 100,000 (50%), gonorrhea has risen from 9.8 to 10.2 per 100,000 (4%), and P&S syphilis has risen from 4.9 to 5 per 100,000 (2%).
The 2020 dip reflects reduced pandemic-era screening, not lower transmission. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis).
Community health context
Sources: CDC PLACES (ZIP), County Health Rankings, CDC/ATSDR SVI, HRSA HPSA, HRSA MUA/P, Neighborhood Atlas ADI. Lower insurance coverage, fewer routine checkups, and a thin primary-care ratio all raise the value of low-cost public clinics and at-home testing in Peñuelas Municipio.
Local HIV snapshot
Peñuelas Municipio HIV care continuum (2023)
Among Peñuelas Municipio residents living with HIV, 63% are in care · 59.3% are virally suppressed. Early, routine testing is what moves these numbers: it is the entry point to PrEP, treatment, and viral suppression.
Sources: AIDSVu (Emory/Gilead) · CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county care continuum). The CDC recommends everyone aged 13–64 test for HIV at least once: every lab and clinic listed above offers HIV testing, and free rapid HIV testing is available at a local health department.
Congenital syphilis, passed from parent to baby in pregnancy, is the fastest-rising STI in the country. U.S. cases climbed from 2,163 in 2020 to 3,882 in 2023. It is almost entirely preventable: the CDC recommends a syphilis test at the first prenatal visit, and every clinic and lab listed for Peñuelas Municipio tests for syphilis.
Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus, 2023 (county-level congenital syphilis is not published).
Local resources & officials
Data & references
Local context
Tallaboa Alta, nestled in the heart of Peñuelas Municipio, is a community where the county's highest-STI-incidence band – young adults forming relationships and navigating their early twenties – can face significant barriers in accessing convenient testing. For those living on a tight budget, the $5 copay for a routine STI test may seem like a manageable expense, but when paired with the average household income of just $19,130, it can be a steep hurdle to clear.
The rural spread of Peñuelas Municipio, with its limited public transportation options and long drives to the nearest clinic, only adds to the challenge. Many young residents must juggle work and parenting responsibilities, with a labor-force participation rate of 41.1%, to make ends meet. This means they often have to prioritize work over health, making it difficult to fit in a doctor's appointment, let alone a routine STI test.
However, despite these challenges, the listed testing options – located in and around Tallaboa Alta, a drive from the nearest clinic – represent a beacon of hope. By providing access to affordable, low-friction screening, these options can help young adults in their late teens and twenties navigate the complexities of relationships and health, and set them on a path towards a healthier, more secure future.
Getting there
At 3.77/20 on the EPA walkability index, day-to-day errands in Tallaboa Alta generally mean driving: plan on a car or rideshare to reach a clinic, and check each listing's hours and phone before you go.
Source: EPA National Walkability Index 2021.
Tallaboa Alta sits in Peñuelas Municipio, ZIP 624. Local context that shapes where residents test:
Local landmarks
Neighborhoods & communities
Major routes
Nearby cities & towns
Just outside Tallaboa Alta? These nearby communities have their own testing guides: clinics, at-home kits, and free screening close to home.
Reference
Everything to know before you test in Peñuelas Municipio: the CDC's screening guidelines, each infection's detection window, per-test reference prices, and your privacy rights under Puerto Rico law. If you have symptoms right now, our confidential symptom checker maps them to the tests worth considering.
Based on current CDC screening recommendations.
| Group | Tests | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone aged 13–64 | HIV | At least once |
| Sexually active women under 25 | Chlamydia, gonorrhea | Every year |
| Women 25+ with new or multiple partners | Chlamydia, gonorrhea | Every year |
| Pregnant people | HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B & C, chlamydia | Early in pregnancy |
| Gay & bisexual men (MSM) | Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV | Every 3–6 months |
| Anyone who shares injection equipment | HIV, hepatitis B & C | At least yearly |
| All adults at least once | Hepatitis C | At least once |
Testing too early can return a false negative, confirm timing with a Tallaboa Alta-area provider.
| Infection | Earliest reliable test | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 1–2 weeks | Urine or swab |
| Gonorrhea | 1–2 weeks | Urine or swab |
| Trichomoniasis | 1–4 weeks | Urine or swab |
| HIV (NAT / RNA) | 10–33 days | Blood |
| HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) | 18–45 days | Blood |
| HIV (antibody) | 3–12 weeks | Blood / oral |
| Syphilis | 3–6 weeks | Blood |
| Hepatitis B | 3–6 weeks | Blood |
| Hepatitis C | 8–11 weeks | Blood |
| Herpes (HSV) | 4–16 weeks (antibody); swab a sore | Blood / swab |
These are the federal Medicare reference prices for processing each lab test. Public clinics and the community health centers serving Tallaboa Alta often test free or on a sliding scale; private labs and at-home kits bundle several tests into one fee. Use this as a per-test benchmark before you pay out of pocket, or see the full guide to STD test costs for insurance, free, and at-home options.
| Test | Reference price | CPT / HCPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia (NAAT) | $47.80 | 87491 |
| Gonorrhea (NAAT) | $47.80 | 87591 |
| Trichomoniasis (NAAT) | $47.76 | 87661 |
| HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody | $26.87 | 87389 |
| HIV-1/2 antibody | $22.44 | 86703 |
| Syphilis (RPR/VDRL) | $5.61 | 86592 |
| Syphilis (treponemal antibody) | $17.49 | 86780 |
| Herpes (HSV NAAT) | $47.76 | 87529 |
| Hepatitis B surface antigen | $15.33 | 87340 |
| Hepatitis C antibody | $29.16 | 86803 |
Source: Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, CMS, 2025 rates (data.cms.gov). Reference rate for the lab assay only: a clinic visit, sample collection, or a bundled multi-test panel may cost more. Medicaid and most insurers cover STD screening at no out-of-pocket cost.
Two things that actually depend on Puerto Rico law: who can consent, and whether partners can be treated without their own visit. Everything else about testing privately is the same nationwide (see below).
In Puerto Rico, public health clinics provide confidential STI testing and treatment; ask the clinic directly about consent requirements for minors.
Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is potentially allowable in Puerto Rico: it is not expressly authorized, but not prohibited either. Ask your provider whether they will prescribe treatment for a partner without a separate visit.
Keeping a test private works the same in every state. Whether an STD test shows on insurance (the EOB), how to test anonymously, and self-pay options that leave no insurance trail don’t change by location.
Learn more about confidential STD testing in Puerto RicoSource: Guttmacher Institute, Minors' Access to STI Services; CDC, Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy. General information, not legal advice.
Good to Know
Answers to the questions people ask most before getting tested.
The closest is Med Centro Penuelas Satellite Center (1.3 mi); 3 options are within 30 miles.
Most plans cover STD screening; a clinic or lab can bill insurance, or you can pay a flat self-pay price.
Public clinics nearby offer free HIV testing.
Local options test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes, Trichomoniasis, a full panel covers the common ones.
About 118 cases per 100,000 residents (2023), below the Puerto Rico average.
In Puerto Rico, people under 18 can consent to confidential STD testing and treatment on their own.
It depends: a blood draw covers HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis, while urine or a swab covers chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Roughly 3–6 weeks after exposure for a dependable syphilis blood test.
Yes, test after the window period, and if HIV exposure is a concern, ask about PEP within 72 hours.
Yes, HSV-1 from the mouth can spread to the genital area through oral sex.
Have a different question? Browse the full STD & STI FAQ library, every question we answer, in one place.