Costa Rica is a pet-friendly destination, with many Costa Rican families having one or two furry friends. However, locals tend to view their pets differently than their North American or European counterparts. Dogs are valued for their ability to protect their owners, may be abused in public and are often not allowed in the house or onto sofas.
If you plan on bringing your pet to Costa Rica, we suggest you follow these simple guidelines.
1. Plan Ahead for Immigration
Chrissie Long
Bringing a dog or cat to Costa Rica is not difficult, as long as you plan ahead. Both the airlines and the Costa Rican customs officers require that owners prove their animals are healthy. Meet with your veterinarian within a week or two of your departure date to fill out a health certificate, which must be endorsed by a Vetinerary Service vet. You’ll also need to prove that your dog was vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies. Cats must be vaccinated against rabies. Your pet will also need authorization from the Costa Rican Health Ministry to stay longer than 30 days in the country, which can be obtained at the nearest consulate or embassy.
2. Know How to Fly
Before you book a flight, learn about pet travel programs with each airline and whether you will be able to fly on your desired dates. (Some airlines restrict pet travel between May 15 and Sept. 15 as there is no air-conditioning in the cargo hold. Others have particular black-out days.) Each airline is different, so it’s best to do your homework before you fly.
3. Keep your Pet Inside
Chrissie Long
Costa Rica has a sizable population of territory-defending street dogs. If you decide to allow your dog or cat wander outside along with these street-smart animals, be forewarned about possible brawls and the development of bad habits (such as picking through trash). If your dog or cat is accustomed to protected environments, it might be best to keep him or her inside.
4. Familiarize yourself with Boarding Options
You did come to Costa Rica to see the country, right? If you don’t want to be tied down by your pets, you might want to find a boarding facility. Most options for overnight or weeklong stays are in the Central Valley and in other destinations where Expats live.
These boarding facilities, which average $15 a night, often consist of small cages where a manager will let your pet out once or twice a day. For more free range boarding, check out Perrodise (Tel: 2214-0120) in the mountains behind Escazú, Pets Paradise in Alajuela (Tel: 8381-8285) or Meet Your Dog (Tel: 8371-3825), a dog rescue shelter that doubles as a boarding facilitiy. If you are having trouble finding a boarding facility, most local vets will take pets in for a few nights.
5. Find a Good Vet
A qualified veterinarian is easier to locate in the Central Valley than in the outer extremities of Costa Rica, but in most tourist destinations with a good-sized expat population you should be able to find someone to take care of your furry friend.
Some popular Central Valley vets include Hospital Veterinario Dr. Claudio Cedeño (Tel: 2233-5162) near Paseo Colon in San José; Dr. Echandi in San José (Tel: 2223-3111); Dr. Moreno in Escazú (Tel: 2228-8797); VETS in Santa Domingo de Heredia (Tel: 2244-3965) and Clinica Veterinaria in Curridabat (Tel: 2225-3379).
Leaving with your pet: Pets leaving Costa Rica require an exit permit. Most vets can take care of the paperwork for a fee, but it’s best to get in touch with them with plenty of advance notice. You’ll also want to check with your destination country as entry requirements may be stricter.