Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Costa Rica to Ecuador: official requirements
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and 3 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 9 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel.
- No rabies blood test, import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
No official wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
How early to start (cats)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
No official wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
Know the moment the rules change from Costa Rica to Ecuador
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Rule change for pets travelling from Costa Rica to Ecuador
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Costa Rica → Ecuador
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Costa Rica (leaving) or Ecuador (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
IdentificationLeaving Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with a 15-digit ISO microchip compulsory for dogs and cats imported, exported or in transit, with the number declared on the health certificate.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The resolution takes effect six months after its publication in the official gazette La Gaceta, which we couldn't date. We show the microchip to be safe: ask SENASA if your pet has none.
“Se ordena como medida sanitaria implementar un sistema de identificación y rastreabilidad individual obligatorio para la importación, exportación o tránsito por el país para los animales de compañía (perros y gatos)”
“El código de identificación asignado al animal debe declararse en el certificado sanitario correspondiente.”
“Rige seis meses posteriores a su publicación en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your dog's vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Enfermedad de carré (Distemper)”
“Parvovirosis”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkCosta Rica and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
Export certificate from a private vet, signed by SENASA: An authorised private vet examines your pet, checks it meets the destination's requirements and issues the national export certificate (on the Costa Rican veterinary college's form). Take it to SENASA with your pet's vaccination card, any document the destination asks for (if it has its own certificate model, you need both) and proof of payment (tariff code C.16, ₡17,322 in 2026). SENASA's official vet reviews the certificates and signs them; once signed, your pet can leave. Certificates that don't need SENASA to authenticate the vet's signature can be signed at any SENASA office.
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“Para iniciar el trámite, el propietario debe acudir a un médico veterinario privado autorizado para que realice la valoración clínica.”
“El profesional verificará el cumplimiento de los requisitos solicitados por el país de destino y emitirá el certificado de exportación que presentará ante SENASA.”
“El médico veterinario oficial de SENASA revisa el o los certificados presentados por el veterinario privado y confirmará el cumplimiento de los requisitos.”
“Una vez firmado el certificado, la mascota puede salir del país.”
“En el caso de que el país de destino requiera un modelo de certificado adicional, el usuario deberá gestionar ambos documentos.”
“Asimismo, SENASA recuerda que los usuarios deben presentar la cartilla de vacunas y cualquier documento exigido por el país de destino.”
“Cancelar el monto correspondiente, según el decreto tarifario código C.16”
“CERTIFICADO EXPORTAC. ANIMALES, PRODUCTOS Y SUBPRODUCTOS NO COMESTIBLES (Resolución DG-R0014-2021)”
“Certificado de exportación nacional (papelería del CMV) emitido por un médico veterinario privado;”
“Los demás certificados que no requieran autenticación de firma por parte del país de destino pueden ser firmados en cualquier oficina del SENASA.”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- SENASA lets your pet leave only if it meets the destination's requirements, which differ from country to country: look them up well in advance. Airlines and transport companies set their own rules too.
Cats
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
IdentificationLeaving Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with a 15-digit ISO microchip compulsory for dogs and cats imported, exported or in transit, with the number declared on the health certificate.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The resolution takes effect six months after its publication in the official gazette La Gaceta, which we couldn't date. We show the microchip to be safe: ask SENASA if your pet has none.
“Se ordena como medida sanitaria implementar un sistema de identificación y rastreabilidad individual obligatorio para la importación, exportación o tránsito por el país para los animales de compañía (perros y gatos)”
“El código de identificación asignado al animal debe declararse en el certificado sanitario correspondiente.”
“Rige seis meses posteriores a su publicación en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Cats: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your cat's vaccinations against feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Panleucopenia felina”
“Rinotraqueitis viral felina”
“Calicivirus felino”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkCosta Rica and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
Export certificate from a private vet, signed by SENASA: An authorised private vet examines your pet, checks it meets the destination's requirements and issues the national export certificate (on the Costa Rican veterinary college's form). Take it to SENASA with your pet's vaccination card, any document the destination asks for (if it has its own certificate model, you need both) and proof of payment (tariff code C.16, ₡17,322 in 2026). SENASA's official vet reviews the certificates and signs them; once signed, your pet can leave. Certificates that don't need SENASA to authenticate the vet's signature can be signed at any SENASA office.
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“Para iniciar el trámite, el propietario debe acudir a un médico veterinario privado autorizado para que realice la valoración clínica.”
“El profesional verificará el cumplimiento de los requisitos solicitados por el país de destino y emitirá el certificado de exportación que presentará ante SENASA.”
“El médico veterinario oficial de SENASA revisa el o los certificados presentados por el veterinario privado y confirmará el cumplimiento de los requisitos.”
“Una vez firmado el certificado, la mascota puede salir del país.”
“En el caso de que el país de destino requiera un modelo de certificado adicional, el usuario deberá gestionar ambos documentos.”
“Asimismo, SENASA recuerda que los usuarios deben presentar la cartilla de vacunas y cualquier documento exigido por el país de destino.”
“Cancelar el monto correspondiente, según el decreto tarifario código C.16”
“CERTIFICADO EXPORTAC. ANIMALES, PRODUCTOS Y SUBPRODUCTOS NO COMESTIBLES (Resolución DG-R0014-2021)”
“Certificado de exportación nacional (papelería del CMV) emitido por un médico veterinario privado;”
“Los demás certificados que no requieran autenticación de firma por parte del país de destino pueden ser firmados en cualquier oficina del SENASA.”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- SENASA lets your pet leave only if it meets the destination's requirements, which differ from country to country: look them up well in advance. Airlines and transport companies set their own rules too.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Costa Rica publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
SENASA export certificate for animals (tariff code C.16, per certificate)Leaving Costa Rica17,322 CRC
“CERTIFICADO EXPORTAC. ANIMALES, PRODUCTOS Y C.16 SUBPRODUCTOS NO COMESTIBLES (Resolución DG-R0014-2021) 0% 17 322,00”
Listado tarifario según Resolución SENASA DG-R-00005-2026, in force 1 April 2026 to 31 January 2027 (SENASA) · as of 2026-10-13
Government fees in total: 17,322 CRC (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
We have no published vet or lab prices for Costa Rica yet.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Costa Rica
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Costa Rica (dogs).
The trip back asks for 9 steps: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, vet examination within two weeks before travel, international veterinary certificate from the official authority and internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Costa Rica (cats).
The trip back asks for 9 steps: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, vet examination within two weeks before travel, international veterinary certificate from the official authority and internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Ingreso al Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad)
- Requisitos zoosanitarios para la importación de animales de compañía (Agrocalidad, March 2026)
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos: trámites (gob.ec)
- Si va a viajar con su mascota, recuerde verificar los requisitos de exportación (SENASA, 18 December 2025)
- Guía para el usuario sobre el desplazamiento sin ánimo comercial de animales de compañía hacia países miembros de la Unión Europea, DCA-PG-07-IN-001 v06 (SENASA, in force from 17 February 2020)
- Guía al usuario: exportación de animales y de productos y subproductos de origen animal no aptos para consumo humano (SENASA, Word file dated 18 September 2018)
- Circular SENASA-DCA-C004-2024: nuevos requisitos de los CDC para la exportación de perros a Estados Unidos (SENASA, 23 May 2024)
- Listado tarifario según Resolución SENASA DG-R-00005-2026, in force 1 April 2026 to 31 January 2027 (SENASA)
- Resolución SENASA-DCA-R0002-2025: uso de microchip para la importación, exportación o tránsito de mascotas (SENASA)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Costa Rica to Ecuador?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Ecuador?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Ecuador?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Costa Rica to Ecuador?
With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and 3 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
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