Pet Immigration Rules Costa Rica
REGULATIONS FOR TAKING A PET DOG OR CAT TO
COSTA RICA
Costa Rica does not quarantine healthy pets who meet the following requirements:
Your pet will need a Costa Rica Veterinary Health Certificate
issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the
USDA or CFIA depending on the country of origin (United States or Canada). If you are traveling from
another country, the Governmental Authority of your country should endorse the forms.
A copy of the Rabies Certificate should also be included.
You will need to carry a personal letter stating your pet's market value or a document
that proves it such as an invoice. Or, you may provide this
information on the Veterinary Certificate.
An Import Permit obtained in advance of arrival is required if the pet is not accompanied by its owners.
Additionally, pets traveling un-accompanied will be held for 24 hours or long to allow for processing
of the documents. This does not apply to pets who are traveling with their owners.
If you are planning to stay in Costa Rica for an extended period,
you will need to obtain a pet's home quarantine permit issued by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Control ("Ministerio de
Agricultura y Ganaderia" (MAG)) in Costa Rica. To expedite your
Customs procedures, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Control
of Costa Rica ("Ministerio de Agricultura y GanaderĂa") suggests
that examination be conducted within two weeks before your
departure. You can also obtain this permit from the nearest Costa
Rica Consulate.
Click Here for
Pet Passport Forms for Costa Rica
Failure to comply with these regulations will mean that your pet may
be refused entry and the relevant authority in consultation
with an authorized veterinarian can decide to return the pet home, or place
the pet in quarantine at the expense of the owner or natural person
responsible for pet, or as a last resort, without financial
compensation, put the pet down where the return trip home or
quarantine cannot be arranged.
All other pets (birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles,
amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits) are not subject to
the regulations in respect of the anti-rabies vaccination but may
have to meet other requirements as to a limit on the number of
animals and a certificate to accompany them in respect of other
diseases. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information
from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the
country of destination.
VETERINARY CERTIFICATE
All countries have a unique veterinary certificates. This form
differs from the International Veterinary Certificate issued by
veterinarians in the United States. (APHIS 7001)
Find Veterinary Certificates
for countries worldwide.
Although Costa Rica does not require an ISO
pet microchip,
we strongly suggest microchipping your pet prior to traveling.
Everything essential for traveling with a pet can be found at PetTravelStore.com.







