Official Import Rules
- Costa Rica requires an official veterinary health certificate endorsed by the competent authority in the origin country.
- The certificate is valid for 14 days from the vet's clinical examination date.
- Dogs over 3 months need rabies vaccination valid on the day of entry.
- SENASA/MAG web communications say imported dogs and cats must be identified with a microchip, while some certificate templates still use if available/applicable wording; use an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit chip and keep the number consistent on every document.
- Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis, with vaccination dates, vaccine name/manufacturer, batch number and validity recorded on the certificate.
- Internal and external parasite treatment must be administered by a vet within 15 days before export, with treatment date, product name/manufacturer, active ingredient and lot number recorded.
- US travellers use the USDA APHIS Costa Rica dog/cat certificate and need APHIS endorsement before departure.
- Canadian travellers use CFIA certificate HA2809 and need official CFIA endorsement before departure.
- Accompanied, in-cabin or personal-baggage dogs generally do not need a pre-arrival import permit.
- Cargo or unaccompanied dogs need form DCA-PG-03-RE-01 filed with SENASA Animal Quarantine plus a Customs Clearance Form (FAD) through a customs agency before travel.
- SENASA inspects arrivals at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR).
- Contact SENASA Animal Quarantine at cuarentena@senasa.go.cr for route-specific clearance questions.
Free route planner
Turn these rules into your dog's step-by-step planCabin/cargo call, breed check, crate size and paperwork timing.Medical Roadmap
Microchip
Use an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip. SENASA/MAG web copy says a chip is required from late 2025, while SENASA Version 11 and USDA/CFIA certificates say if available or applicable, so chipped dogs have the cleaner paperwork path.
Rabies vaccination
Dogs over 3 months need rabies vaccination valid on entry day. If the rabies shot predates a newer chip, ask the endorsing vet before travel because some airlines or certificate reviewers may prefer a fresh rabies record tied to the chip number.
Core dog vaccines
Document distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis. The certificate should show dates, vaccine name/manufacturer, batch number and validity.
Parasite treatment
A vet must administer internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before export. Record the date, product name/manufacturer, active ingredient and lot number.
Vet exam and certificate
The health certificate is valid for 14 days from the vet's clinical examination date. US travellers use the USDA APHIS Costa Rica dog/cat certificate; Canadian travellers use CFIA HA2809.
Official endorsement
Book the USDA or CFIA endorsement appointment about 1 month before travel, then get the certificate endorsed before departure.
Arrival
SENASA inspects arrivals at Juan Santamaría (SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quirós (LIR). Confirm airline pet acceptance and the entry mode before booking.
Breed & Public-Space Rules
No major national breed ban found
Still check airline policies, local rules, insurance requirements and any transit-country restrictions before booking.
Flying In: Cabin, Hold or Cargo
Confirm airline pet acceptance, cabin or cargo availability, carrier rules, aircraft limits, and destination entry mode before booking.
Cost Breakdown
Quarantine Information
None
City & Housing Notes
San José, Escazú, Santa Ana, and beach towns along both coasts are popular with expats. Costa Rica is very animal-friendly with a strong conservation culture. Many rental properties welcome dogs.
Vets & Health After Arrival
Good veterinary care, especially in the Central Valley (San José area). Several excellent vet clinics with English-speaking staff. Costs are moderate. Tick-borne diseases and tropical parasites require preventive care.
Leaving Costa Rica With Your Dog
Exit requires a health certificate from a SENASA-registered vet. Processing is usually same-day. SENASA offices are available at major airports.
Videos & Route Walkthroughs
Use videos as lived-experience context, not as legal authority. Search for recent dog-owner route reports, airport collection walkthroughs, crate-loading examples and relocation-agent explainers, then verify every rule against the official source above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Rica easy for pet imports?
It is manageable with the right paperwork. No import permit is generally needed for accompanied, in-cabin or personal-baggage dogs where applicable, but cargo or unaccompanied dogs need SENASA form DCA-PG-03-RE-01 plus a Customs Clearance Form (FAD) through a customs agency.
Is Costa Rica good for dogs?
Very. The 'Pura Vida' lifestyle extends to animals. Costa Rica has banned hunting, has strong animal welfare laws, and the climate is comfortable year-round.
Do I need a USDA endorsement?
Yes, if traveling from the US. Your vet issues the health certificate, then it must be endorsed by USDA APHIS before travel.
Is a microchip mandatory for Costa Rica?
Use one. SENASA/MAG web communications say imported dogs and cats must be identified with a microchip, while some certificate templates still use if available/applicable wording. An ISO 11784/11785 15-digit chip gives the cleanest paperwork path.
Does my dog need to be re-vaccinated for rabies after microchipping?
Costa Rica requires dogs over 3 months to have rabies vaccination valid on the day of entry. If your dog was microchipped after an older rabies shot, ask the endorsing vet before travel because some airlines or certificate reviewers may prefer a fresh rabies record tied to the chip number.
I'm travelling from Canada — what certificate do I need?
Use CFIA certificate HA2809 for dogs and cats going to Costa Rica. It must be endorsed by an official CFIA veterinarian before departure, so book the endorsement appointment in advance.
Does my dog need extra vaccines for Costa Rica?
Yes. Costa Rica paperwork should show distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccination details, including dates, vaccine name/manufacturer, batch number and validity.
Community Tips & Nearby Routes
Community reports are useful for practical details such as which cargo desk answers the phone, how long collection took, or whether a landlord asked for insurance. Treat them as tips, then verify rules with the authority and airline.