If you’re one of the many Austin families or investors we work with who are exploring a move to Costa Rica, there’s a question that comes up before almost anything else, even before “what will the exchange rate do to my budget.” It’s this one: can I bring my dog? Or my cat? Or both?
We get it. For most of us, pets are family, and the idea of leaving one behind isn’t really on the table. So let’s put your mind at ease right away: yes, you can absolutely bring your pets to Costa Rica. It takes a bit of paperwork, a couple of vet visits, and some planning ahead, but families relocate with their dogs and cats every week, and they go on to live their best beach life in Costa Rica right alongside them.
Pet Relocation to Costa Rica: What the Process Actually Looks Like
The exact steps depend on whether you’re coming from the United States or from Canada, since each country routes its paperwork through a different agency. Broadly, here’s what every pet owner needs to plan for:
Your vet needs to know early. Tell them you’re relocating to Costa Rica so they can walk you through the Costa Rica-specific health certificate rather than a generic travel form.
The exam has a clock on it. Your pet’s official health exam needs to happen within 14 days of your departure date, and that same exam is what your veterinarian uses to complete the certificate.
Vaccinations and parasite treatment need to be current. Rabies is required for both dogs and cats. Dogs also need distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis; cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia. Internal and external parasite treatment needs to be documented within that same 14 day window.
The certificate needs an official endorsement. If you’re coming from the United States, that means USDA APHIS endorsement, often handled electronically through the VEHCS system. If you’re coming from Canada, your vet’s certificate needs to be taken to a CFIA office to be endorsed and stamped.
Timing matters more than people expect. If this is your pet’s first rabies vaccination ever, it generally needs to have been given at least 30 days before arrival in Costa Rica. And some airlines have their own, tighter rule, sometimes requiring the exam within 10 days of travel rather than Costa Rica’s 14, so it’s worth confirming directly with your carrier.
We’ve put together two free, printable guides, one for pet owners relocating from the USA and one for pet owners relocating from Canada, that walk through every step in order. They’re attached here, and they’ll also live on our Costa Rica relocation page for anyone to download.
Common Questions About Bringing Pets to Costa Rica
Do I need an import permit? For pets traveling as accompanied baggage with their owner, most travelers move through the health certificate and endorsement process described above. Unaccompanied pet shipments can involve an additional import permit, so if your pet is traveling separately from you, that’s worth flagging with your vet or a pet shipping specialist early.
How far in advance should I start? We tell clients to start 6 to 8 weeks out. That gives you room to handle vaccinations, book a USDA or CFIA endorsement appointment (these fill up fast), and still have a buffer if anything needs to be redone.
What if my vet isn’t USDA accredited? Ask them directly. If they aren’t, you’ll need a separate appointment with one who is, purely to get the certificate endorsed.
Can requirements change? Yes, and they do periodically. Always double check the official USDA APHIS Costa Rica page or the CFIA pet export page before you travel, even if you’ve read this whole post.
Beyond the Paperwork: Finding a Pet-Friendly Home in Costa Rica
Getting your pet’s documents sorted is only half the move. The other half is finding a home in Costa Rica that actually works for the whole family, including the four-legged members. That’s where local knowledge starts to matter as much as paperwork: which neighborhoods have secure, fenced yards, which rental communities have breed or size restrictions, which properties are close to a vet who speaks your language.
This is the part of relocating that a lot of agents wave their hands at, and it’s exactly the part we lean into. Between Austin and Costa Rica, we’ve helped clients work through the timing, the paperwork, and the property search all at once, so nobody has to choose between the move and their best friend.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Costa Rica, with or without a pet in tow, reach out. We’ll help you figure out the whole picture: the property, the paperwork, and everything in between. Be sure to download the pet relocation guide today!
Dowload the GUIDES here: