Bringing a pet to Costa Rica

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Costa Rica has moderately strict pet import requirements that vary depending on the rabies-risk category of the origin country. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving from low-risk countries if all paperwork and vaccinations are in order, but pets from higher-risk areas face additional testing and possible isolation. Expect to provide a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian, and proof of microchipping.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Costa Rica.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine given at least 21 days before travel
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 implantation

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccine ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No additional requirements for free-tier origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine given at least 21 days before travel
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 implantation

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccine ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No additional requirements for low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine given at least 21 days before travel
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 implantation

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccine ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No additional requirements for high-risk origins.

Frequently asked questions

No, Costa Rica does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any origin. A valid rabies vaccination certificate showing the vaccine was given at least 21 days before travel is sufficient.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your dog's arrival in Costa Rica. It must be signed by an official veterinarian and endorsed by the relevant government authority (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
No, there is no quarantine for dogs entering Costa Rica, regardless of origin. Your dog can proceed directly after clearing customs and veterinary inspection at the airport.
Costa Rica does not specify a strict limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 5 dogs may trigger commercial import regulations. Contact SENASA directly if you plan to bring more than 2–3 dogs.
No, emotional support and service dogs are not exempt. They must still have a microchip, rabies vaccination, and a valid health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. No special documentation or waivers are recognized.
Yes, a microchip is required. It must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant and implanted before the rabies vaccination. The microchip number should appear on all vaccination and health certificates.
Yes, but the puppy must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccine, and the 21-day waiting period after vaccination applies. If the puppy is younger than 15 weeks at travel, it cannot meet the rabies vaccine requirements. In that case, delay travel or consult SENASA for guidance.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Costa Rica.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No quarantine for cats from rabies-free origins. Microchip must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant and implanted before rabies vaccination.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No quarantine for cats from low-risk origins. Rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before arrival.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation
  • FAVN titer test report showing antibody level ≥0.5 IU/mL
  • Import permit from SENASA

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and SENASA.

No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order. FAVN titer test and import permit required for high-risk origins.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The US is classified as low-risk for rabies. A rabies titer test is not required for cats from the US. You only need a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.
Costa Rica generally allows up to 3 cats per person under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 3, commercial import regulations apply, which may require additional permits and inspections.
No. Emotional support animals are not exempt from standard import requirements. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if from a high-risk country) titer test and import permit rules as any other cat.
Yes, most airlines allow cats in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat. However, the final decision is up to the airline. Check with your carrier for specific size and weight limits. Costa Rica does not have a national ban on cabin travel for cats.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your arrival in Costa Rica. If it expires before you land, you will be denied entry and your cat may be quarantined or returned. Plan your vet visit accordingly.
Yes. The microchip must comply with ISO standard 11784/11785 (134.2 kHz). Non-ISO chips (e.g., 125 kHz or 128 kHz) are not accepted. If your cat has a non-ISO chip, you must bring your own compatible scanner.
No. If you have all required documents (microchip, rabies vaccine, FAVN titer test, health certificate, and import permit), your cat will not be quarantined upon arrival. Without proper paperwork, quarantine or refusal of entry may occur.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Costa Rica.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip certificate or documentation
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine given at 12 weeks or older and at least 21 days before travel
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official government or USDA/DEFRA veterinarian

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit required for any origin.

Costa Rica does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets; all origins follow the same rules.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip certificate or documentation
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine given at 12 weeks or older and at least 21 days before travel
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official government or USDA/DEFRA veterinarian

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit required for any origin.

Costa Rica does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets; all origins follow the same rules.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip certificate or documentation
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine given at 12 weeks or older and at least 21 days before travel
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official government or USDA/DEFRA veterinarian

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit required for any origin.

Costa Rica does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets; all origins follow the same rules.

Frequently asked questions

No. Costa Rica does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from any origin. Only a valid rabies vaccination (given at 12 weeks or older, with a 21-day wait) and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival are needed.
Costa Rica generally allows up to 3 pets per person under non-commercial rules. Bringing more than 3 ferrets may require a commercial import permit and additional documentation. Confirm with SENASA before travel.
No. Costa Rica does not recognize emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements.
There is no official minimum age, but the rabies vaccine must be given at 12 weeks or older, and you must wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. This effectively means the ferret must be at least 15 weeks old on arrival.
No. An ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is mandatory. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given.
No. Ferrets meeting all entry requirements (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate) are not subject to quarantine upon arrival.
The health certificate must be issued by an official government veterinarian or a USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian in the origin country, within 10 days of the ferret's arrival. For US-origin ferrets, the USDA APHIS-endorsed form is required.

Good to know

All pets must be identified by an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip before rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before travel and no more than 12 months before entry.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Costa Rica, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Costa Rica's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.