Taking Your Dog to Guatemala
Use this 2026 checklist to prepare your dog’s paperwork, rabies vaccine records, parasite treatment, and arrival inspection for Guatemala.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Guatemala
ISO Microchip
Guatemala’s published import documents for dogs from the United States do not list an ISO 11784/11785 microchip as an entry requirement. It is still strongly recommended because a microchip is required for many return-to-US scenarios and helps link your dog to its records.
Recommended before travel; if you may return to the US from a high-risk country, implant before rabies documentation is prepared.Rabies Vaccination
Rabies vaccination is required for dogs entering Guatemala. The vaccination record must show current validity, and Guatemala states the vaccine must be administered no less than 1 month before travel. Dogs younger than 3 months are exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement.
At least 1 month before travel; current on arrival.Rabies Titer Test
Guatemala’s current dog import protocol from the United States does not require a rabies antibody titer test for entry.
Health Certificate
Dogs must travel with the Guatemala-specific U.S. origin health certificate in English and Spanish, issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. The certificate must identify the owner and the dog and certify the dog was examined and found healthy and free of clinical signs of infectious, transmissible, and parasitic disease.
Obtain shortly before departure and submit for USDA endorsement before travel.Import Permit
Guatemala’s dog import protocol for dogs exported from the United States states that an import permit is not required.
Parasite Treatment
Guatemala requires certification that the dog was treated for both endoparasites and ectoparasites with products approved by the country of origin. This treatment should be recorded on the health certificate.
Complete before the health certificate is issued and before travel.Arrival Inspection
At the port of entry, SEPA/OIRSA personnel inspect the pet and review the health certificate and rabies vaccination record. Travelers must provide copies of the required documents and pay the inspection fee.
On arrival at any air, land, or sea entry point.Quarantine Period
Guatemala’s current published pet-entry requirements do not state a routine quarantine period for compliant dogs arriving from the United States.
Banned Breeds
No breed-specific ban was identified in the current USDA APHIS and MAGA/VISAR dog import materials reviewed for Guatemala. Airline rules may still restrict certain brachycephalic or strong-jaw breeds.
Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $50-150 | Typical private-clinic exam fee before issuing travel paperwork. |
| Rabies vaccination | $20-50 | If your dog is not currently vaccinated or needs a booster to meet Guatemala’s 1-month rule. |
| Rabies titer test | $0 | Not required by Guatemala for dogs arriving from the United States. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101 | APHIS fee per certificate when no laboratory tests are required. |
| Airline pet fee | $160-230 | Avianca lists pet-in-cabin service in the Americas from USD 160 and pet-in-hold service in the Americas from USD 225, with airport pricing slightly higher. |
| Import permit fee | $0 | Guatemala’s dog protocol states no import permit is required. |
| Microchip | $25-60 | Not required by Guatemala, but often recommended for identification and possible US re-entry compliance. |
| Arrival inspection fee | $14 | SEPA/OIRSA charges $14.00 per pet at entry, according to MAGA/VISAR guidance. |
| Total | $370-605 |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, Guatemala is on CDC’s list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. That means returning to the United States with your dog is more complicated than entry into Guatemala. All dogs entering the US must appear healthy, be at least 6 months old, be microchipped, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt completed before arrival. If your dog has been in Guatemala during the 6 months before US entry, additional CDC rules apply based on where the dog was vaccinated against rabies. A dog that has been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months and is not vaccinated against rabies cannot enter the United States. Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries generally need a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, a rabies serology test from a CDC-approved lab showing adequate antibodies, and a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility before arriving at an approved US airport. If your dog is US-vaccinated, review the current CDC pathway before departure and keep all rabies and microchip records together. If you stay in Guatemala more than 30 days after entry, Guatemala’s MAGA/VISAR guidance says you must obtain an export sanitary certificate or international zoosanitary export certificate before leaving Guatemala with your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Guatemala require a microchip for dogs from the United States?
Guatemala’s current published dog import requirements reviewed from USDA APHIS and MAGA/VISAR do not list a microchip as a mandatory entry requirement. Even so, microchipping is strongly recommended because it helps identify your dog and may be required for return to the United States.
How long before travel does my dog’s rabies vaccine need to be given?
Guatemala states the rabies vaccine must be administered at least 1 month before travel and still be valid on arrival. Puppies under 3 months old are exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement.
Do I need a rabies titer test to take my dog to Guatemala?
No. Guatemala’s current import protocol for dogs from the United States does not require a rabies antibody titer test for entry.
Do I need an import permit for Guatemala?
No. The Guatemala dog import protocol published by MAGA/VISAR states that an import permit is not required for dogs exported from the United States.
Is parasite treatment required for entry into Guatemala?
Yes. Guatemala requires the dog to be treated for both internal and external parasites with products approved by the country of origin, and that treatment should be reflected in the travel paperwork.
What documents do I show on arrival in Guatemala?
Bring the USDA-endorsed bilingual health certificate and the rabies vaccination record. At the port of entry, SEPA/OIRSA personnel inspect the pet, collect copies of the documents, and charge the entry inspection fee.
Will my dog be quarantined in Guatemala?
Guatemala’s current published requirements do not describe a routine quarantine period for dogs that arrive with compliant paperwork and meet the health requirements.
What if I stay in Guatemala for more than 30 days and then fly back to the US?
MAGA/VISAR states that pets leaving Guatemala more than 30 days after entry must obtain an export sanitary certificate or international zoosanitary export certificate. You must also meet current CDC re-entry rules for dogs coming from a high-risk rabies country.