Costa Rica is a sunny country that is great to visit with a pet! To prepare for the journey, you will need to check Costa Rica’s rules for bringing pets and collect all the required documents.

Every tourist travelling to Costa Rica with a pet (dog or cat) must consider the following requirements:

· The most important document is the Health Certificate for the Export of Cats and Dogs to Costa Rica. It must be obtained from a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin after a clinical examination 2 weeks before the journey. The certificate states that the pet is healthy and free of contagious diseases. It must include pet’s personal data and information about all the vaccinations;

· Pets that are 3 months old and older must be vaccinated against rabies;

· Other essential vaccinations for dogs are vaccinations against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvovirus;

· Cats must also be vaccinated against Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Feline Leukemia;

· All pets must be treated for external and internal parasites within 15 days before the journey. The information about treatment, name of the product used, date of treatment and ingredients of the product must be included in the Health Certificate.

People transporting their pets to Costa Rica in the cabin and the hold of the aircraft must only provide the Health Certificate at the border inspection post at the airport of arrival. If the pet is transported as cargo, its owner must also fill in a Sanitary Requirements Form (DCA-PG-03-RE-01) with a blue pen and provide it to the Animal Quarantine Office. Moreover, the Customs Clearance Form (FAD) must be requested for the transportation of pets as cargo.

If the requirements above are met, the pet will not be quarantined upon arrival.

Remember to familiarize yourself with the pet transportation requirements of the airline you choose. You can find the details in the “Airlines Pet Policy” section on our website.