Taking Your Dog to Costa Rica
Use this 2026 guide to prepare your dog’s USDA-endorsed paperwork, vaccines, parasite treatment, and return-to-US documents.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Costa Rica
ISO Microchip
Costa Rica’s posted USDA/APHIS dog-and-cat certificate does not list a microchip as an entry requirement for dogs entering Costa Rica. If your dog will return to the United States, CDC requires a microchip detectable with a universal scanner for re-entry.
Not required by Costa Rica on the posted certificate; for U.S. return, have the microchip in place before travel.Rabies Vaccination
Adult dogs and puppies older than 3 months must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccine must still be valid on the day the dog enters Costa Rica. The rabies vaccination details must be recorded on the veterinary export certificate.
Must be current and valid on the date of entry.Rabies Titer Test
Costa Rica’s USDA/APHIS-posted dog-and-cat health certificate does not require a rabies antibody titer test for pet dogs entering from the United States.
Health Certificate (USDA-endorsed APHIS 7001 or Costa Rica model certificate)
A USDA-accredited veterinarian must examine the dog and issue the export health certificate. APHIS states Costa Rica accepts either the country-specific international health certificate or APHIS Form 7001 if it meets the same requirements. APHIS endorsement is required after issuance by the USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Clinical exam should be conducted within 2 weeks of departure; obtain USDA endorsement before travel.Import Permit
An import permit issued by Costa Rica is required for unaccompanied pets. For accompanied pet dogs traveling with their owner, the APHIS Costa Rica pet travel page describes travel requirements in the health certificate and separately notes the import permit requirement only for unaccompanied pets.
Required before shipment only if the dog is traveling unaccompanied.Parasite Treatment
Dogs must be treated within 15 days prior to export with approved products for internal and external parasites, and the certificate must show the treatment details. The dog must be free of ticks and other internal and external parasites.
Within 15 days before export.Core Dog Vaccines
Costa Rica’s posted certificate states dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis.
Have these vaccinations completed and documented before the health certificate is issued.Quarantine Period
The posted Costa Rica USDA/APHIS pet certificate does not state a routine quarantine period for compliant pet dogs entering from the United States.
Banned Breeds
No breed ban is listed on the USDA/APHIS Costa Rica pet travel page or the posted Costa Rica dog-and-cat certificate reviewed for this guide. Airline rules may still restrict certain snub-nosed or large dogs.
Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam for export certificate | $50-160 | Typical private-vet pricing in the U.S.; your veterinarian sets this fee separately from USDA endorsement. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-80 | Only if your dog is not already current. |
| Rabies titer test | $0 | Not required by Costa Rica for pet dogs from the United States. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101-160 | APHIS lists $101 per certificate when there are 0 laboratory tests, and $160 for 1-2 pets with 1 laboratory test. |
| Airline pet fee | $160-230 | Example current airline pricing: Avianca lists pets in cabin on flights in the Americas from USD 160 and pets in the hold from USD 225 at points of sale; Delta lists international in-cabin pet fees at USD 200 each way. |
| Import permit fee | $0-100 | Only if your dog is traveling unaccompanied; verify the current Costa Rica permit fee with the importer/agent and SENASA before booking. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | Not required by Costa Rica’s posted entry certificate, but recommended and required for return to the U.S. |
| Total | $326-760 |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, Costa Rica is treated by CDC as a dog-rabies-free or low-risk country unless the dog has also been in a CDC-listed high-risk country within the previous 6 months. For dogs that have been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the last 6 months, the required document for U.S. entry is the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. CDC says the form is free, can be completed on the day of travel, and the receipt is valid for 6 months as long as the dog has not been in a high-risk country and the country of departure matches the receipt. In addition, the dog must appear healthy on arrival, be at least 6 months old, and have a microchip detectable with a universal scanner. If your dog has been in a high-risk rabies country within the last 6 months, additional CDC paperwork applies and must be arranged before travel. Because Costa Rica has ongoing New World screwworm activity, travelers should also check APHIS guidance before returning, since animal-health paperwork or inspections related to screwworm can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a USDA-endorsed health certificate to take my dog to Costa Rica?
Yes. APHIS states that for dogs and cats traveling from the United States to Costa Rica, APHIS endorsement of the health certificate is required after it is issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Can I use APHIS Form 7001 for Costa Rica?
Yes, if it meets the same requirements as Costa Rica’s posted model certificate. APHIS notes that Costa Rica will accept APHIS Form 7001 when it contains the same required information.
How close to departure does my dog’s exam need to be?
Costa Rica’s posted veterinary certificate says the dog must be examined and found healthy within 2 weeks of the departure date.
Does Costa Rica require parasite treatment for dogs?
Yes. The certificate requires treatment with approved internal and external parasite products within 15 days before export, and the dog must be free of ticks and other parasites.
Is a rabies titer test required for Costa Rica?
No. The USDA/APHIS-posted Costa Rica dog-and-cat certificate reviewed for this guide does not require a rabies antibody titer test for pet dogs from the United States.
Do I need an import permit for my dog?
Only if the dog is traveling unaccompanied. APHIS specifically states that an import permit issued by Costa Rica is required for unaccompanied pets.
Is there quarantine for dogs arriving in Costa Rica?
The posted Costa Rica pet travel certificate reviewed through USDA/APHIS does not list a routine quarantine period for compliant pet dogs entering from the United States.
What do I need to bring my dog back to the United States from Costa Rica?
If your dog has been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the previous 6 months, CDC requires a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Your dog must also be at least 6 months old, appear healthy, and have a universal-scanner-readable microchip.