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Pet Travel Concierge
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Costa Rica

Updated: February 12, 2026 Source: July 30, 2025

Dogs Regulations

Select the animal regulations you want to view:
Vaccinations
Description:

Rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry and recorded on the health certificate.

  • Record vaccination date on the certificate
  • Include product details on the certificate (e.g., manufacturer, lot/batch, expiration) if listed on the model certificate
Certifications
Description:

Use the APHIS Costa Rica model certificate for dogs and cats. The certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS (digital endorsement is accepted). The clinical examination must be performed within 14 days of departure, and internal and external parasite treatments must be administered within 15 days prior to export and recorded on the certificate.

  • USDA-accredited veterinarian issues the Costa Rica dog/cat certificate
  • APHIS endorsement (digital or wet) required prior to travel
  • Clinical exam within 14 days before departure recorded on the certificate
  • Endo- and ectoparasite treatments within 15 days prior to export recorded on the certificate (product/active ingredient/lot/date)
Microchip

Not specified.

Origin Requirements
  • USDA_Endorsement
    All listed pets require a USDA-accredited veterinarian to issue the health certificate and APHIS endorsement. APHIS accepts electronic signature and digital endorsement.
  • Exam_Within_14_Days
    Clinical examination must be performed within 14 days prior to departure and recorded on the certificate.
  • Parasite_Treatments
    Internal and external parasite treatments within 15 days prior to export; record product, active ingredient, lot, and date on the certificate.
  • Unaccompanied_Import_Permit
    If the pet travels unaccompanied (cargo), obtain an import permit from Costa Rica (SENASA/MAG) prior to shipment.
  • GuineaPig_Quarantine_Lepto
    21-day pre-travel quarantine with a negative leptospirosis microagglutination test; endo/ecto parasite treatments within 21 days recorded on the certificate.
More Info
Timing and Treatments

Examination and parasite treatment timing windows from APHIS materials.

  • Veterinary clinical exam within 14 days of departure
  • Internal and external parasite treatments within 15 days prior to export, documented on the certificate
Quarantine/Arrival

No on-arrival quarantine details are provided in the APHIS page or certificate; confirm with Costa Rican authorities if needed.