Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Ecuador to Costa Rica: official requirements
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 3 days ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 5 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 5 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 and official stamp on the certificate.
- 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)
3 days
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip (request sent 72 hours before the trip)
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
- Official stamp on the certificate
How early to start (cats)
3 days
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip (request sent 72 hours before the trip)
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
- Official stamp on the certificate
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
Know the moment the rules change from Ecuador to Costa Rica
We check the official sources every day. If a rule changes, you get a notification on this device.
- Free
- No email or account
- Turn off any time
- 1Tap Share in Safari
- 2Choose Add to Home Screen
- 3Open Pawhopper from your Home Screen, then tap Turn on alerts here
Alerts are on
We’ll notify this device when a rule changes from Ecuador to Costa Rica.
New pet travel guides are on for this browser.
Pawhopper · now
Rule change for pets travelling from Ecuador to Costa Rica
Leaving rules: Costa Rica, Panama and Viet Nam. Tap to see what changed.
Prefer a feed reader? Ecuador rule changes · Costa Rica rule changes
We keep only this browser’s push address and the countries, until you turn alerts off. Privacy
Ecuador → Costa Rica
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Ecuador (leaving) or Costa Rica (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip with 15 digits compulsory for dogs and cats imported into Costa Rica, 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, and SENASA's 2024 requirement sheet still says 'microchip if available'. 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)”
“con una codificación de quince dígitos”
“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 Costa Rica
Rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry
Dogs and cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be valid on the day they enter Costa Rica. The certificate gives the date, brand, manufacturer, batch and validity.
Details and the official words
“Los perros y gatos mayores de tres meses deben haber sido vacunados contra rabia; esta vacuna debe estar vigente el día del ingreso de la mascota al país.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations
Your dog must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis (according to its age), recorded on the certificate.
Details and the official words
“Los perros fueron vacunados contra distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus y leptospirosis.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Costa Rica
Vet examination within two weeks before travel
A licensed vet examines your pet within two weeks before it travels: it must be healthy, without tumours, fresh or healing wounds, external parasites or signs of a transmissible disease.
Details and the official words
“Este examen debe realizarse en un plazo de dos semanas antes del embarque.”
“Estos deben ser sometidos a un examen clínico por un médico veterinario en el país de origen dentro de las dos semanas previas al viaje.”
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
TreatmentEntering Costa Rica
Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before export, and must be free of ticks. The certificate gives the date, brand, batch and active ingredient.
Details and the official words
“Los animales fueron tratados dentro de los quince (15) días previos a la exportación con medicamentos contra parásitos externos e internos, asegurando que se encuentran libres de garrapatas y otros parásitos externos e internos.”
“Además, los perros y gatos deben ser desparasitados contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 días previos a su llegada a Costa Rica”
PaperworkEcuador and Costa Rica
International veterinary certificate from the official authority
The official veterinary services (or competent authority) of the country of origin issue the international veterinary certificate: numbered, every page signed and stamped, in Spanish or English (or with an official Spanish translation). It records the vaccinations and treatments. Bring the original and a copy to the border post. No notary or Costa Rican consulate stamp is needed.
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“Debe ser emitido por los Servicios Veterinarios Oficiales o por la Autoridad Sanitaria Competente del país de origen.”
“En el puesto de inspección fronterizo de entrada, el usuario debe presentar el original y copia del certificado sanitario expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen.”
“El certificado de salud no tiene que ser refrendado por un notario público ni necesita ser sellado por la Oficina Consular de Costa Rica.”
“Los perros y gatos deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional emitido por un médico veterinario autorizado por el Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) y refrendado por un médico veterinario de Servicios Veterinarios (SV)”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Costa Rica
Inspection at the border post on arrival
SENASA inspects your pet where it enters Costa Rica. A pet travelling with its owner in the cabin or as checked baggage only needs the health certificate there.
Details and the official words
“Para las mascotas que son transportadas en cabina como equipaje de mano o equipaje chequeado (documentado) y que ingresan acompañadas por su dueño, únicamente se debe presentar, en el puesto de inspección fronterizo, el certificado sanitario emitido por la autoridad veterinaria/competente del país de origen”
Good to know
- A pet with tumours, fresh or healing wounds or external parasites is refused at the border, and a pet that doesn't meet the requirements is sent back to its country of origin.
- A pet shipped as declared cargo needs, in addition, a prior import permit (Sanitary Requirements Form) arranged by a customs agency in Costa Rica before it arrives.
- If your pet travels with prescription medicines, bring the prescription.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Cats
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Costa Rica
ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate
SENASA's resolution of January 2025 makes individual identification with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip with 15 digits compulsory for dogs and cats imported into Costa Rica, 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, and SENASA's 2024 requirement sheet still says 'microchip if available'. 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)”
“con una codificación de quince dígitos”
“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 Costa Rica
Rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry
Dogs and cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be valid on the day they enter Costa Rica. The certificate gives the date, brand, manufacturer, batch and validity.
Details and the official words
“Los perros y gatos mayores de tres meses deben haber sido vacunados contra rabia; esta vacuna debe estar vigente el día del ingreso de la mascota al país.”
VaccinationEntering Costa Rica
Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations
Your cat must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia, recorded on the certificate.
Details and the official words
“Los gatos fueron vacunados contra rinotraqueítis, calicivirus y panleucopenia.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Costa Rica
Vet examination within two weeks before travel
A licensed vet examines your pet within two weeks before it travels: it must be healthy, without tumours, fresh or healing wounds, external parasites or signs of a transmissible disease.
Details and the official words
“Este examen debe realizarse en un plazo de dos semanas antes del embarque.”
“Estos deben ser sometidos a un examen clínico por un médico veterinario en el país de origen dentro de las dos semanas previas al viaje.”
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
TreatmentEntering Costa Rica
Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before travel
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before export, and must be free of ticks. The certificate gives the date, brand, batch and active ingredient.
Details and the official words
“Los animales fueron tratados dentro de los quince (15) días previos a la exportación con medicamentos contra parásitos externos e internos, asegurando que se encuentran libres de garrapatas y otros parásitos externos e internos.”
“Además, los perros y gatos deben ser desparasitados contra parásitos internos y externos dentro de los 15 días previos a su llegada a Costa Rica”
PaperworkEcuador and Costa Rica
International veterinary certificate from the official authority
The official veterinary services (or competent authority) of the country of origin issue the international veterinary certificate: numbered, every page signed and stamped, in Spanish or English (or with an official Spanish translation). It records the vaccinations and treatments. Bring the original and a copy to the border post. No notary or Costa Rican consulate stamp is needed.
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“Debe ser emitido por los Servicios Veterinarios Oficiales o por la Autoridad Sanitaria Competente del país de origen.”
“En el puesto de inspección fronterizo de entrada, el usuario debe presentar el original y copia del certificado sanitario expedido o avalado por la entidad sanitaria oficial del país de origen.”
“El certificado de salud no tiene que ser refrendado por un notario público ni necesita ser sellado por la Oficina Consular de Costa Rica.”
“Los perros y gatos deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional emitido por un médico veterinario autorizado por el Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) y refrendado por un médico veterinario de Servicios Veterinarios (SV)”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Costa Rica
Inspection at the border post on arrival
SENASA inspects your pet where it enters Costa Rica. A pet travelling with its owner in the cabin or as checked baggage only needs the health certificate there.
Details and the official words
“Para las mascotas que son transportadas en cabina como equipaje de mano o equipaje chequeado (documentado) y que ingresan acompañadas por su dueño, únicamente se debe presentar, en el puesto de inspección fronterizo, el certificado sanitario emitido por la autoridad veterinaria/competente del país de origen”
Good to know
- A pet with tumours, fresh or healing wounds or external parasites is refused at the border, and a pet that doesn't meet the requirements is sent back to its country of origin.
- A pet shipped as declared cargo needs, in addition, a prior import permit (Sanitary Requirements Form) arranged by a customs agency in Costa Rica before it arrives.
- If your pet travels with prescription medicines, bring the prescription.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Ecuador publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
Agrocalidad export health certificate (per animal)Leaving Ecuador · 28.90 USD for each extra pet28.90 USD
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Salida del Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad) · as of 2026-10-12
Government fees in total: 28.90 USD (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
We have no published vet or lab prices for Ecuador 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 Ecuador
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (dogs).
The trip back asks for 7 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (cats).
The trip back asks for 7 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Requisitos para la importación de perros y gatos, DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 v11 (SENASA)
- Requisitos para la importación de perros y gatos de Estados Unidos de América, DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-007 v09 (SENASA)
- Resolución SENASA-DCA-R0002-2025: uso de microchip para la importación, exportación o tránsito de mascotas (SENASA)
- Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (SENASA, 18 December 2025)
- Salida del Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Ecuador to Costa Rica?
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 Costa Rica?
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 Costa Rica?
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 Ecuador to Costa Rica?
With nothing done yet, start at least 3 days ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations and 5 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.