Pet import requirements for Costa Rica

Costa Rica at a glance

The detail

For Costa Rica, start with this checkpoint: dogs and cats can be imported at any age. Costa Rica is a rugged, rain forested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Cargo and passenger-pet routings commonly use SJO and LIR.

Import requirements

Dogs and cats can be imported at any age. Other animals should be studied case by case.Vaccinations must be at least 14 days prior to the date of travel.

Valid rabies vaccine. 3 year rabies vaccines are accepted

Dogs-DHLP less than one year

Cats-FVRCP+ Leukemia less than one year

Endo/Ecto treatment within 15 days of export.

Only pets arriving as carry on or excess baggage will be considered personal.

All pets coming as manifested cargo are considered a commercial move and will require a broker to be cleared from customs. Taxes will be charged by customs (24.3% of the CIF value)

Pet Passport alone not accepted for import. All pets/animals must have of ficial health certificate.

Other pet animals like rabbits or ferrets require lab test and in some cases quarantine.

Wild animals are not allowed to be imported.

An import requirement is necessary for unaccompanied pets.

Identification and microchip

Not required but is recommended.

Rabies and vaccinations

Vaccinations must be at least 14 days prior to the date of travel. Costa Rica requires a valid rabies vaccine. No waiting period to enter. 3 year vaccines are accepted.

Vaccinations must be at least 14 days prior to the date of travel.

Dogs-DHLP (1 year vaccine accepted only)

Cats-FVRCP+ Leukemia (1 year vaccine accepted only)

Tests and treatments

Not for dogs and cats, other animals like ferrets and rabbits require lab test.

Endo/Ecto within 15 days of transport.

Health certificate and permits

Health certificate within 10 days of departure. Required endorsement by government entity. EU Passport only not permitted. Any pers entering from EU/UK must have of ficial in ternational health certificate.

Must be obtained by a licensed broker (minimum of 4 business days before arrival)

Only pets arriving as manifested cargo require an import permit.

Pets entering as baggage don´t require an import permit.

Health certificate must be endorsed by government entity in exporting country.

Notarization and/or stamps from Costa Rica Consulate not required nor acknowledged upon arrival.

Pet passport alone not acceptable for entry to country.

Quarantine

Not for dogs and cats. Rabbits and other pet animals require quarantine in origin before coming to Costa Rica.

Birds and Horses will do home quarantine upon arrival.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Wildlife - Case by case

It´s against the law to have wild animals as pets.These are the only exceptions for birds:

Serinus Cararia domestica

Canario doméstico

Agapornis Roseicollis

Inseparable de Namibia

Melopsittacus Undulatus

Periquito Australiano

Mymphicus Hollandicus

Cacatua Ninfa

Customs, agents, and airports

Required. Licensed broker must apply for import permit.

A destination agent is required for Costa Rica.

Airports:

• Juan Santamaría International Airport, San José/Alajuela (IATA: SJO, ICAO: MROC)
• Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, Liberia (IATA: LIR, ICAO: MRLB)
• Tobías Bolaños International Airport, San José (IATA: SYQ, ICAO: MRPV)
• Limón International Airport, Limón (IATA: LIO, ICAO: MRLM)

Ground:

• Puntarenas–Playa Naranjo / Paquera Ferry, Puntarenas
• City: Puntarenas, Puntarenas Province
• Contact data for specific operators is not centrally maintained at a national website — tickets are usually sold at the ferry terminal or directly with the ferry operator booth in Puntarenas

Water Port:

• Puerto Caldera (International Port), Caldera / Puntarenas
• City: Caldera (Puntarenas Province)
• Contact Information (+506 225687)
• Puerto Limón, Limón (Caribbean Coast)

• City: Limón (Limón Province)
• No Contact Information available
• Puerto Moín (Caribbean Coast)

• City: Moín (Limón Province)
• No Contact in formation available
• Puerto Golfito, Golfito

• City: Golfito (Puntarenas Province, Pacific)
• No contact in formation available

Airports listed on this destination file: SJO, LIR.

Licensed broker must apply for import permit.

Customs clearance only from Monday to Friday. Saturday clearance must be coordinated in advance. The state vet doesn´t work on Sundays.

Import permit cannot be obtained by pet owner or in dividual that is not registered as a licensed broker in Costa Rica.

Licensed broker must apply for import permit.

Customs clearance only from Mondays to Saturdays. The state vet doesn´t work on Sundays.

Export notes

Rabies over 30 days and less than one year

Dogs-DHLP less than one year

Cats-FVRCP less than one year

Health certificate within 10 days of travel endorsed by SENASA.

Although you can enter the country on a 3 year rabies, you cannot export on a 3 year vaccine.

To obtain a health certificate for cats and dogs, the vet must provide a letter saying that the pet was checked within 5 days of the flight and was free of screwworms.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

Case by case. It is against the law to have Wild Animals as pets in Costa Rica.

Here is a sample health certificate for shipping rabbits.

Here is a sample health certificate for shipping guinea pigs.

Costa Rica does not allow for the importation of pet birds.

Three year rabies permitted to enter the country. However, you cannot export on a 3 year vaccine.

Import Permits are only required for pets coming as manifested cargo.

Rabies over 30 days and less than one year

Dogs-DHLP less than one year

Cats-FVRCP less than one year

Health certificate within 10 days of travel endorsed by SENASA

Although you can enter the country on a 3 year rabies, you cannot export on a 3 year vaccine.

Official contacts

Ministry of Agriculture and LivestockAddress: Costa Rica, Barreal de Heredia, gardens of the Memory 1 KM to the West and 400 meters to the North in the Campus of the National University Benjamín Núñez

Apartado Postal: Section 3-3006 Dinner

Tel: +506 2587-1600 EXT 1714

Fax: +506 2260-8301

Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Director General (Animal Health): Dr. Luis Alberto Matamoros Cortés

Email: luis.matamoros.c@senasa.go.cr

Animal Quarantine Director Phone: +506 2587-1712

Animal Quarantine Email: byron.gurdian.g@senasa.go.cr

Senasa Website: www.senasa.go.cr

Government of ficials will not issue import permits without a broker submitted application.

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2026-02-18.

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