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Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Hawaii (US) to Costa Rica: the rules

Possible. There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: 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 3 more.

Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 7 official pages

Make my dated plan Reverse: Costa Rica → Hawaii (US)

In short

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

No official wait

whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated

No official wait still means appointments: 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 3 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.

On this route (dogs)

  • No rabies blood test
  • No import permit
  • No quarantine
  • Parasite treatment before travel

How early to start (cats)

No official wait

whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated

No official wait still means appointments: ISO microchip (15 digits), declared on the certificate, rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry and cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations and 3 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.

On this route (cats)

  • No rabies blood test
  • No import permit
  • No quarantine
  • Parasite treatment before travel

Prefer a feed reader? Hawaii (US) rule changes · Costa Rica rule changes

Hawaii (US) → Costa Rica

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether Hawaii (US) (leaving) or Costa Rica (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

We haven’t verified the leaving side for Hawaii (US) yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.

  1. Get ready

    1. 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.”

    2. 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.”

    3. 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.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. 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.”

    2. Vet examLeaving Hawaii (US)

      Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian

      Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.

      Details and the official words

      “contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”

    3. 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”

    4. PaperworkHawaii (US) 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

      USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.

      “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)”

      “assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. 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.
  • USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.

Cats

We haven’t verified the leaving side for Hawaii (US) yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.

  1. Get ready

    1. 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.”

    2. 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.”

    3. 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.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. 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.”

    2. Vet examLeaving Hawaii (US)

      Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian

      Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.

      Details and the official words

      “contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”

    3. 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”

    4. PaperworkHawaii (US) 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

      USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.

      “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)”

      “assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. 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.
  • USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.

Money

What it costs

Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Hawaii (US) publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.

Government fees on this route

  • USDA APHIS health certificate endorsementLeaving United States101 USD
    “Number of Pets Associated Fee per Certificate 0 Any $101 per certificate 1-2 1 $160 1-2 2 or more $160 for the first pet, plus $10 for each additional pet on the same certificate.”

    Cost to endorse your pet's health certificate · as of 2026-06-18

Government fees in total: 101 USD (each currency separately)

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

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

If you need them Not official figures

  • Travel cratea pet shop or the airline139.99–269.99 USD
    • Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 28" (28 x 20.5 x 21.5 in), weight range 25-30 lbs as the page states; page says it complies with the IATA Live Animals Regulation (51st edition, 2025); manufacturer's own online store139.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
    • Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 40" (40 x 27 x 30 in), weight range 70-90 lbs as the page states; IATA LAR-compliant per the page; manufacturer's own online store269.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
  • Pet shipper, door to doora pet relocation company3,395–10,000 USD
    • Starwood Pet Travel: Published starting price for relocating 1 pet (dog) from the USA to the UK with Starwood Pet Travel; the page calls it a starting estimate and says final costs vary3,395 USD · read 2026-10-13
    • PetRelocation, Inc.: Published pricing example: door-to-door move of 1 small pet from the United States abroad with PetRelocation (Complete Relocation Support); the page says vet visits and a travel crate are not included5,975–10,000 USD · read 2026-10-13
    • PetRelocation, Inc.: Published worked example: one small dog moving from the United States to Singapore with PetRelocation Complete Support, total of required costs plus service fee; the page calls these estimates based on typical cases7,500 USD · read 2026-10-13

Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.

Round trip

Coming back to Hawaii (US)

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Hawaii (US) (dogs).

The trip back asks for 8 steps: rabies vaccination #1, rabies vaccination #2 (a booster, more than 30 days before arrival), rabies antibody blood test (OIE-FAVN) and a 30-day wait and tick treatment within 14 days before arrival and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Hawaii (US) (cats).

The trip back asks for 7 steps: rabies vaccination #1, rabies vaccination #2 (a booster, more than 30 days before arrival), rabies antibody blood test (OIE-FAVN) and a 30-day wait and tick treatment within 14 days before arrival and more.

Every step from Costa Rica to Hawaii (US)

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.

Entering Costa RicaReport a mistakeGet rule-change alerts

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Hawaii (US) 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 Hawaii (US) to Costa Rica?

There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: 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 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

Read next

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