Pet travel from the United States to Costa Rica
What you need, in order
- Microchip recorded Recommended
- Rabies vaccination valid (Applies from 90 days old)
- Costa Rica International Veterinary Certificate (bilingual, APHIS-endorsed)
- Canine distemper vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
- Canine adenovirus / hepatitis vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
- Canine parvovirus vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
- Canine parainfluenza vaccination valid Recommended (Applies to: dog)
- Leptospirosis vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
- Feline herpesvirus (FVR) vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
- Feline calicivirus vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
- Feline panleukopenia vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
Recommended lead time: start about 30 days before travel.
Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-07-06. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.
Covers personal, non-commercial travel from the United States to Costa Rica for dogs and cats. USDA APHIS endorsement of the certificate and SENASA's documentation check and inspection on arrival at SJO are decided outside Petra.
Check my trip for this corridorRequirements
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Microchip recorded Recommended
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Rabies vaccination valid
Applies from 90 days old
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Costa Rica International Veterinary Certificate (bilingual, APHIS-endorsed)
-
Canine distemper vaccination valid
Applies to: dog
-
Canine adenovirus / hepatitis vaccination valid
Applies to: dog
-
Canine parvovirus vaccination valid
Applies to: dog
-
Canine parainfluenza vaccination valid Recommended
Applies to: dog
-
Leptospirosis vaccination valid
Applies to: dog
-
Feline herpesvirus (FVR) vaccination valid
Applies to: cat
-
Feline calicivirus vaccination valid
Applies to: cat
-
Feline panleukopenia vaccination valid
Applies to: cat
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Owner checklist
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Costa Rica certificate: Spanish or English, USDA-accredited vet, APHIS-endorsed
The destination-specific International Veterinary Certificate may be in Spanish or English (the APHIS form is bilingual); a non-Spanish/English certificate would need an official certified Spanish translation. It is completed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by USDA APHIS. No notary, no Costa Rican consular stamp, and no state Secretary of State apostille is required for the ordinary accompanied-pet route.
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Internal + external parasite treatment within 15 days Required
A licensed vet administers internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 15 days before certificate issuance, recorded on the certificate (date, brand, lot, active ingredient). Petra has no separate evidence model for this treatment; confirm it from the certificate before travel.
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Visual inspection on arrival at SJO
The SENASA officer performs a documentation check + visual inspection at Juan Santamaría; entry is refused for fresh or healing wounds or external parasites. No pre-arrival permit or quarantine for compliant accompanied pets.
Still decided outside Petra
- Costa Rica's SENASA officer performs the documentation check and visual inspection when you arrive at Juan Santamaría (SJO); Petra cannot pre-clear this step.
Primary sources
- Requisitos para la importación de perros y gatos — DCA-PG-02-RS-01-IN-006 Versión 11 (rige 19/07/2024) — SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal, MAG, Costa Rica) (retrieved 2026-07-06)
- Veterinary Health Certificate for the Export of Dogs and Cats from the USA to Costa Rica (CR-specific bilingual form) — USDA APHIS (retrieved 2026-07-06)
- Pet Travel From the United States to Costa Rica (Last Modified 2026-02-06) — USDA APHIS (retrieved 2026-07-06)
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Frequently asked questions
How far ahead do I need to start?
Petra's recommended lead time for the United States to Costa Rica is 30 days before travel.
What certificate do I need?
Costa Rica International Veterinary Certificate (bilingual, APHIS-endorsed)
What is this based on?
Petra's Costa Rica (SENASA) ruleset for this corridor, last reviewed 2026-07-06 (see Primary sources below).
Is this verified?
Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-07-06. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.
Other destinations from United States
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