Republic of Costa Rica Pet Import Requirements & Vet Timeline
Official pet import rules for bringing a dog or cat into Republic of Costa Rica under SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal). Review the rule table below or pick your origin country, airline, breed, and flight date in the calculator to generate your exact paperwork schedule.
Official Costa Rica Pet Import Rules at a Glance
Summary of SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) entry rules for accompanied dogs and cats.
| Import Biosecurity Authority | SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) |
|---|---|
| Outbound Export Authority | SENASA |
| ISO Microchip Standard | ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (must be implanted on or before rabies vaccination) |
| Primary Rabies Vaccine Wait | Minimum 30 days before arrival |
| Rabies Blood Titer Test (FAVN / RNATT) | Not required when arriving with a valid rabies vaccination administered on or after ISO microchipping (30-day primary wait). |
| Dog Tapeworm (Echinococcus) Treatment | Required for dogs: Praziquantel administered strictly 24–360 hours before landing |
| Health Certificate & Endorsement Window | Certificado Veterinario Internacional SENASA — endorsed within 14 days before departure |
| Advance Import Permit | Not required for standard accompanied non-commercial pets |
| Permitted Aircraft Arrival Mode | Passenger Cabin, Checked Excess Baggage (AVIH), or Manifest Cargo |
| Post-Arrival Quarantine | 0 days (immediate clearance when all pre-arrival rules are met) |
Calculate Your Costa Rica Pet Travel Timeline
Pre-set for arrival in Republic of Costa Rica. Change your origin country, airline, breed, or departure date below to see your custom schedule.
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Min: 31d • Ideal: 45d
Feasible Timeline: 75 days available (31 days strict minimum)
Starting today gives you sufficient runway to complete Costa Rica's veterinary sequence, government endorsement via USDA APHIS (VEHCS), and Delta Air Lines pet booking.
Based on 30 kg weight and Delta Air Lines rules, your Golden Retriever must travel on an airway bill via Delta Cargo Variation Live (IATA Series 500 (102 x 69 x 76 cm)) from USA to Costa Rica.
🌡️ Seasonal Temperature Advisory (January): Cargo embargo when forecasted ground temperature is above 27°C (80°F) or below 7°C (45°F) without acclimation certificate.
Step-by-Step Vet & Travel Schedule
Counting backward from USA (US) Costa Rica (CR) arrival.
📅 On or before Tue, Dec 15, 2026
Implant or scan-verify a non-encrypted ISO 11784/11785 15-digit. Any rabies vaccination administered BEFORE the microchip implantation date is legally invalid for Costa Rica.
⚠️ Ensure the exact 15-digit barcode sticker is affixed to all vaccination and health certificates.
📅 No later than Wed, Dec 16, 2026
Administer WHO/WOAH-approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (pet must be >= 12 weeks old). Triggers 30-day primary immunity wait required by SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal).
⚠️ Record vaccine manufacturer, product name, batch/lot number, administration date, and valid-until date.
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See your exact hour-by-hour tapeworm treatment window, USDA APHIS (VEHCS) endorsement cutoff, Printable Vet Sign-Off PDF, and Apple/Google .ics Calendar Sync with 48-hour alerts.
- Exact 24–120h tapeworm and parasite treatment times
- Printable Vet Sign-Off & 15-Digit Microchip PDF Packet
- One-click .ics Calendar Sync with 48h advance reminders
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Confirm requirements with a government-accredited vet before travel.
Arriving in Republic of Costa Rica: Airport & Customs Checklist
- Veterinary health certificate must be issued within 14 days of entry into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR).
- Product name and active ingredient for internal and external parasite treatments administered within 15 days must be recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bringing a Pet to Republic of Costa Rica
How far in advance should I start preparing to bring a dog or cat to Republic of Costa Rica?
SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) recommends starting at least 40 days before travel. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit implanted on or before its rabies vaccination, followed by a 30-day primary rabies immunity wait.
Does Republic of Costa Rica require a rabies antibody blood test (FAVN / RNATT)?
Not required when arriving with a valid rabies vaccination administered on or after ISO microchipping (30-day primary wait).
Can my dog or cat fly in the passenger cabin into Republic of Costa Rica?
Yes — Republic of Costa Rica allows pets to arrive in the passenger cabin, checked hold (AVIH), or manifest cargo, subject to your airline's weight cap (typically 8 kg including carrier for cabin) and breed rules.
When must the veterinary health certificate be endorsed before flying to Republic of Costa Rica?
Your government-accredited veterinarian must issue "Certificado Veterinario Internacional SENASA" and obtain official export authority endorsement within 14 days before departure. Dogs must also receive a Praziquantel tapeworm treatment strictly 24 to 360 hours before landing.
Popular Flight Routes into Republic of Costa Rica
- 🇺🇸 Fly a Dog from USA to Costa Rica on Delta Air Lines
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