Planning to bring your pets to Costa Rica?

Of course you are! They're family too, right?

Cats and Dogs

• Cats and dogs are not quarantined. With the right paperwork, you walk right through customers and immigration.
• You will need a certificate from your vet, and this form must comply with the U.S. Dept of Agriculture format. Your vet should know all about this.
• This paperwork may also need to be validated by the Costa Rican embassy closest to you in the U.S. Currently it does NOT, but at any time and without notice, this can change.  Check with ARCR for the current rules.
• Shots must be current within 30 days of transporting the animals. Rabies shots must be over 30 days but less than one year.

Birds

As of September, 2006, Costa Rica is not allowing further importation of birds.  This is a direct result of the bird flu problem world-wide.

We urge those who wish to bring birds to Costa Rica to please check with their mover, or other professional for current information. A good source of current information are the ARCR Forums found at: ARCR

Other Animals

Often people want to bring snakes, rodents, gerbils, etc. and these often require an entirely different set of policies and rules.  They also change more frequently.  Check with ARCR or your relocation advisor for current information well before travel time.

Airlines and Travel

Be very careful of airline blackout periods. These are NOT the same blackout periods for people traveling around the holidays. These are special blackout periods when animals will not be accepted by the airlines at all - with or without papers. Check with your airline for this information.