Moving Pets to Costa Rica: SENASA Rules, Vaccinations, and Zero-Quarantine Entry

Costa Rica is a popular destination for North American and European expats and retirees - and it’s one of the more pet-friendly countries in Latin America. No quarantine, no titre test, and straightforward documentation make the process manageable.

No Quarantine

Costa Rica operates a documentation-based import system rather than quarantine. If your paperwork is correct, your pet is released on arrival after inspection. Incomplete documentation can lead to the animal being held or returned - so precision matters.

Core Documentation

Health Certificate Details

The health certificate must:

• Be issued on official government letterhead or SENASA-accepted format
• Be signed by an accredited vet
• Be endorsed by the government authority (APHA for UK, USDA APHIS for USA)
• State that the animal has been examined and is free of signs of infectious disease

UK to Costa Rica: Book your OV vet appointment well in advance of the APHA endorsement window. APHA endorsement adds 5-10 working days.

Entry at Juan Santamaría Airport

All pets arriving in Costa Rica enter through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José. The SENASA inspection office is at the airport. Present all original documents. Cargo pets are collected from the cargo terminal after inspection.

Small Dog Cabin Option

Costa Rica-bound routes typically connect through Miami, Houston, or New York. Airlines that allow small dogs in the cabin (under 8 kg including carrier) include United, American, and Delta for North American connections. Check individual airline policies for transatlantic legs.

Cost Estimate (UK to Costa Rica)

Sources: Costa Rica SENASA official pet import requirements; APHA UK export guidance. Data current as of May 2026.