Bringing your dog on a tropical adventure to Costa Rica can be a fun and exciting experience. Not only will you get to spend quality time with your pet, but you will also get to explore the breathtaking landscapes and immerse yourself in the local culture.
Whether you’re planning a beach vacation or an outdoor adventure, Costa Rica is a dog-friendly destination that offers plenty of opportunities for you and your furry companion to bond and make memories.
Taking your dog to Costa Rica can be a bit challenging, but with proper planning and preparation, it can also be a smooth and enjoyable experience. Before your trip, it is important to ensure that your pet is up-to-date with all necessary vaccinations and that you have the correct documentation for travel.
Additionally, researching pet-friendly accommodations and activities in the area will ensure that both you and your dog have a comfortable and enjoyable time in Costa Rica.
From making travel arrangements to finding the best spots for hiking and exploring, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to plan a successful trip with your furry companion.
In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about bringing your dog to Costa Rica, including the necessary travel arrangements, pet-friendly accommodations, and activities you can enjoy together.
What Travel Arrangements Need to be Made?
To bring a dog to Costa Rica, you will need to make the following travel arrangements:
Health requirements
Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations, including rabies. Your pet may also need a health certificate from a veterinarian stating they are fit to travel.
Documentation
You will need to provide proof of your pet’s health, vaccination and ownership documents. Some airlines may also require a pet import permit from Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Travel method
Consider the best travel method for your pet, such as flying in-cabin or as checked baggage. Make sure to book early as there may be limited space for pets on flights.
Accommodation
Research pet-friendly hotels, resorts, or vacation rentals in the area you plan to visit in Costa Rica. Make sure to check their pet policy and any fees associated with bringing a pet.
What Are Vaccination Requirements for Dogs in Costa Rica
The required vaccinations for Costa Rica are:
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Parvovirus
- Rabies (for dogs over four months).
The rabies vaccine must have been applied at least one month before entering Costa Rica. In Costa Rica the rabies vaccination should be valid one year.
For those taking there dog from the United States, here is a copy of the Veterinary Health Certificate for Costa Rica
4 Ways of Flying To Costa Rica With Your Dog
There are essentially 4 different ways your dog can travel to Costa Rica by plane. I am going to go over each one of them briefly so you have a better understanding of each.
1. Checked Baggage Cabin
This means traveling in the cabin and your dog must fly with you and travel in an airline compliant carrier which must be stowed under the seat.
2. Checked Baggage Cargo
Traveling with you, your dog is not permitted in the cabin and will be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold unless you have permission from a veterinarian that your dog is needed for emotional support or is a service dog.
3. Manifest Cargo
Your dog goes on his/her own and will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
4. Service/Comfort Dogs
The dog can travel in the cabin with you. For Large Dogs, which most airlines classify large dogs as those weighing more than 22 pounds, only Emotional Support and Service Dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin of an airplane.
Emotional Support and Service Dogs
Emotional Support Animal
If you have an emotional disability, you can legally qualify for an ESA, short for emotional support animal. You must be certified as emotionally disabled by a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist or other duly-licensed and/or certified mental health professional. An emotional support animal does not need specialized training to handle a task.
Service Dogs
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks of benefit to a disabled individual in order to be legally elevated from pet status to service animal status. A seeing eye dog is one example of a Service Dog
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) come in different breeds and animal types and are not just limited to dogs, while Service Animals are almost always dogs
Ok with all that out of the way here is what I recommend that you do at each step along the way:
How to Get Your Dog Ready For Travel to Costa Rica
Once you have all that taken care of, I would recommend that you start getting your dog ready at least a month before you go. You should buy or borrow an airline travel carrier if you are bringing the dog to the plane with you such as the Petsfit Expandable Pet Carrier or with carriers that go in the cargo hold such as the Midwest Skudo Plastic Pet Carriers , so that they are accustomed to it by the time you leave as this will minimize their stress during travel.
You can do things like short car rides with them. Also leave the carrier around the house so the can check it out. That way, they’re already comfortable with it as a safe space before you leave.
Put bedding or “absorbent material” on the bottom of the carrier. Attach food and water dishes (empty of course) to the inside of the carrier. Make sure they can get to them from the outside.
On the day before the flight to Costa Rica put a travel label to the carrier and put your name, address and cell number as well as your final destination, and where you or a contact person can be reached as soon as the flight arrives.
Also take your dog on an exercise day of his life so that he gets as tired as can be, if you have a flight that leaves at night, the day of is fine as well. Lastly try not feed your dog for four to six hours before you leave.
One last note: Don’t forget your coming back so be sure to check regulations on your dog back home as well.. Quarantine rules may apply even if your dog has only been gone a short time.
Preparing Your Dog For A Flight to Costa Rica
Getting your dog ready for the flight to Costa Rica is even more important then the flight itself therefore, when deciding on what airline, whether you are flying with your pet or it is flying without you, I would recommend that you go with direct flights.
You will avoid the potential mistakes that occur during airline transfers and possible delays in getting your dog off the plane. After finding your airline, you will need to know their pet policies and make sure you comply with them
I would also search the nearest vet/animal hospital in Costa Rica where you’ll be traveling to ahead of time and make a note of it that way, should you have any issues while your traveling you will not have to look for some place at the last second.
If you have what is called a brachycephalic dog, for example, Pekingese dogs or bulldog and you are putting them in the cargo hold talk to your vet because these breeds have occasional breathing issue and your vet may have some suggestions on the best way for them to travel.
While your talking to your vet about that or even if that is not issue for you, You will still need to contact your veterinarian to ensure your pet is in compliance with Costa Rica health regulations.
How To Get Your Dog Through the Flight
If you have decided to take your dog in the cabin with you, then once you are on the plane try to keep your dog as calm as possible. These may seem like a challenge at first as the airline will not allow you to take your dog out of its carrier ( technically), but you can you can still do small thing to keep him calm from all the noise and action going on around you.
For example:
- Have your dog face the window – let him take a look outside
- Give him a small treat or 2 to keep him busy – but don’t overdo it
- Make him feel less anxious by giving him a scratch on the head or pet him a little
- Put a small piece of your like a shirt in the carrier ( basically something that has your scent on it 5)
If you did some of the pre flight planning that I mentioned earlier, it will make this part of your dogs travel experience much easier and it should not take long for your dog to get comfortable and relaxed.
In regards to those that are having there dogs fly in “cargo”, call or check with your airline, before you arrive about where to drop your pet. If it’s traveling as checked luggage” you will bring it to the passenger terminal, however if you dog is going as “cargo” you will probably have to bring it to the air cargo terminal, which is usually a different location at the airport. (You might have to pick up your dog at a cargo terminal, too!)
After all this done, there is not much you can do until you arrive in Costa Rica, however, again if you did some the pre flight planning, your dog and the process should go off without a hitch.
After Arriving in Costa Rica with Your Dog
May sure you have not only your travel documents but your dog passport (see below) as well. Again don’t be surprised if your desperately needs to go to the bathroom so you may need to be appropriately prepared as it may take take some time to get through customs.
Once you arrive and if your dog was not next to you and was put in cargo, then you will pick him up at baggage claim. .After you pick him or her up, then you will have to find a SENASA official in order to clear your dog to leave the airport.(SENASA is the veterinary agency of Costa Rica).
The official will ask for the paperwork that verifies that all the requirements are met and if all is in order he will stamp it and send you on your way.
You will still need to go through regular customs at this point and they will just ask you to show the paperwork from the SENASA official and then your free to leave.
Can I Get My Dog A Pet Passport for Costa Rica?
What is a Pet Passport?
A Pet Passport is a document that officially records information related to your dog as part of that procedure. The effect is to drastically speed up and simplify travel with and transport dogs between member countries, (Costa Rica is one) compared to previous procedures, if the regulations are followed.
Why is a pet passport important?
A pet passport is important because it allows you to group all required and vital information about your pet in one place and make it convenient for officials at the airport in Costa Rica to verify your pet’s health and inoculation records.
Creating your own pet’s passport
Your veterinarian can help to create a passport for your dog to enter almost any country in the world. If you are from the United States and are visiting Costa Rica with your pet, then the pet passport will consist of the following:
- The Annex IV for the point of entry (first) country you will be visiting (they are all different) completed by your veterinarian and certified by the State USDA veterinarian.
- Veterinary Health Certificate for Costa Rica endorsed by the USDA
- Your pet’s inoculation record which must be attached to the certified Annex IV form. (Sometimes the inoculation record is referred to as the Rabies Certificate.)
- Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport Form attesting that your pet transport does not involve sale or transfer of ownership.
Note: Costa Rica allows USDA Accredited Veterinarians to use USDA’s online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) to complete health certificates
Should I get a Dog Tracker for Costa Rica?
This may be considered a little excessive for some but since there are no degrees in careful. I would recommend it for those that want the ultimate in dog security. These devices below help keep tabs on your dog so in the case they get lost in which case you have an easy and quick way to track the down.
Radio Tracker
This utilizes a somewhat dated technology and have been used for decades. These devices don’t require a monthly subscription. is used by hunting dogs, and cover roughly the same distance of a Walkie Talkie’s Range. Check out the Garmin Astro 320 T5 Dog GPS Bundle from Amazon
GPS Tracker
technology that allows you to pinpoint your pets location in real time. You can see a history of locations reported by the device to see every place your pet went while you were away. Check out services such as Paw Tracker, GIBI Pet Locator or LINK AKC – Smart Dog Collar from Amazon
Website FindingRover.com:
The website and its app uses eight distinctive facial markers on dogs, plus a photo database, a large alert system with dog rescues and shelters to help every pup make it home. PiP, another Pet Facial Recognition app, works in a similar manner.
Pet Friendly Places
Costa Rica is a pet-friendly destination that offers a variety of pet-friendly accommodations for travelers. From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels and vacation rentals, there is a wide range of options available to suit every travel style and budget.
Some pet-friendly accommodations in Costa Rica offer special amenities for pets, such as dog-walking services and fenced-in yards, while others allow pets in specific rooms or areas.
Here are some pet-friendly accommodations in Costa Rica:
- Casa Luna: A beachfront hotel located in Guanacaste with a spacious garden for pets to play in.
- Casa de las Gaviotas: A family-friendly vacation rental in Manuel Antonio that offers a fenced-in yard and private pool for guests and their pets.
- Hotel Punta Islita: A luxury eco-resort located in Guanacaste that welcomes pets and offers a range of pet-friendly amenities, such as dog-walking services and pet-friendly rooms.
- The Lookout Inn: A hilltop hotel located in Monteverde that offers stunning views and a pet-friendly policy for travelers with dogs.
- The Harmony Hotel: A eco-conscious hotel located in Nosara that offers pet-friendly rooms and yoga classes for both guests and their pets.
- Casa de Montaña: A cozy mountain cabin located in San Jose that welcomes pets and offers a serene environment for both guests and their pets to enjoy.
These are just a few examples of the many pet-friendly accommodations available in Costa Rica. Before booking, make sure to check the pet policy and any fees associated with bringing a pet.
Activities to do with your Dog in Costa Rica
There are plenty of activities to enjoy with your dog. Here are just some of the top activities to do with your buddy Costa Rica:
Beach time
Costa Rica has plenty of dog-friendly beaches where you can play and swim with your pet. Some popular beaches include Manuel Antonio, Samara, and Flamingo.
Hiking
Take a hike in one of Costa Rica’s many national parks and explore the lush, tropical forests with your dog.
Surfing
Some areas in Guanacaste, such as Nosara, offer surf schools and pet-friendly beaches where you and your dog can catch some waves.
Visit local dog parks
Many cities in Costa Rica have dog parks where you can take your pet to play and socialize with other dogs.
Final Thoughts
Taking your dog with you on a trip anywhere can be a nerve racking experience, especially the first time. It’s a lot of work, and it’s stressful since your not sure what you need to do and what’s the best way to best prepare your dog for the trip.
So, Lets face it… its not alot of fun, but the good news is, it doesn’t have to be painful and with the right planning you can arrive in Costa Rica with your dog safe and sound
