Bringing a dog or cat into Costa Rica

The short version

• Rabies blood test for some origins
• Import permit for some pets

How early to start

The least time the officially fixed waiting periods allow, by where your dog is coming from. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times come on top.

Every requirement

For every pet

1. Identification

   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. Vet exam

   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.”

3. Paperwork

   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

   “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)”

4. Treatment

   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”

5. On arrival

   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”

Depends on your pet or your route

1. Vaccination

   Rabies vaccination (pets over 3 months), valid on the day of entry

   Applies when: you don’t know your pet’s birth date, or your pet is 3 months old or older on arrival

   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.”

2. Vaccination

   Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccinations

   Applies when: your pet is a dog

   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.”

3. Vaccination

   Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations

   Applies when: your pet is a cat

   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.”

4. Blood test

   Coming from the EU, UK or EFTA and going back: bring a valid rabies antibody test

   Applies when: you travel from any EU country, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland (UK), Switzerland, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein

   Pets from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein that will return home must also bring a valid rabies antibody test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml (do it before you leave: your home country needs it to let your pet back in).

   Details and the official words

   “Las mascotas que procedan de la Unión Europea, Reino Unido y países miembro de EFTA (Suiza, Islandia, Noruega y Liechtenstein) y que retornarán a su país de origen, adicional al Certificado Veterinario Internacional, deben traer la prueba válida de títulos de anticuerpos neutralizantes contra rabia con resultado igual o superior a 0.5 UI.”

5. Permit

   Pet travelling without its owner: prior import permit through a customs agency

   Applies when: someone else brings the pet (you are not travelling with it)

   A pet that enters without its owner (or as declared cargo) needs a prior import permit (Sanitary Requirements Form) arranged by a customs agency in Costa Rica before it arrives. SENASA decides within 24 working hours of receiving the original document.

   Details and the official words

   “Para las mascotas que son transportadas como carga manifiesta o ingresan al país sin el dueño, el importador o representante debe contratar una agencia aduanal en Costa Rica que se encargará de tramitar el permiso previo de importación (Formulario de Requisitos Sanitarios) antes del ingreso de la mascota, con el fin de realizar el desalmacenaje de la misma.”

   “La solicitud será resuelta en un plazo máximo de veinticuatro horas hábiles, de acuerdo con el horario de las oficinas centrales de la Dirección de Cuarentena Animal.”

Good to know

• Puppies and kittens under three months must not be vaccinated against rabies for Costa Rica, but the vaccinations given for their age and species are certified.When: You know your pet’s birth date and your pet is under 3 months old on arrival
• 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.