As much as people want to move to Costa Rica, they cannot consider doing so without knowing how to safely and comfortably get their pets here, too. For many of us, our pets are our family and we’d never consider leaving our family behind so that we can live “a better life” — that just simply isn’t possible without them! Therefore, we have put together this handy guide for how people can bring their dogs and other pets to Costa Rica, as well as a few other helpful tidbits for getting our furry friends acclimated to their new home.

Charter Flights To Costa Rica

How can I avoid checking my dog as cargo? My dog is my world and it hurts to think how terrified they would be by themselves.

Some pets are timid and afraid of their kennels. Others are too big to ride in the cargo hold of an airplane. And some airlines no longer allow for pets to ride in cargo. Luckily, there are a few air-travel alternatives for pet owners to consider when bringing their pets to Costa Rica.

Taking pets through the main airport and the general public can be a stressful situation for animals. These people can look to charter flights, which often have deals for a shared ride that make the cost quite reasonable. Private charters can be booked from many locations directly to Costa Rica. However, further distances and less options to choose from can make this a prohibitively expensive endeavor for some.

Booking a private charter jet may sound expensive in general, but this is also the only acceptable option for many people bringing pets to Costa Rica who want to avoid TSA and to fly with their cuddly loved ones. Booking through a charter jet company like Uber Jets is a very viable option that can actually be quite affordable if organized well. For instance, you can have your pets, your people, and your baggage with you while sharing with a few other passengers/pets.

When flying charter, you will be greeted by airport security on the tarmac and airport staff with be on-hand to take your dogs for a walk in the grass beside the runway. Afterwards, you will be taken to a VIP customs area where you will be asked for the necessary paperwork, your bags will be scanned, and you will be released if everything is in order.

Miami to San Jose flights with Uber Jets start at $18,000 USD (taxes included) for an eight-passenger plane. For other charter options, check out the facebook page Private Air to Costa Rica (Dogs Allowed), where you will find people organizing charter flights that may coincide with your schedule/budget.

Charter Flights To Costa Rica

What options are available for flying pets with me on my passenger airline?

Pet parents are not always so particular that they need to hire a private jet to bring their pets along for the ride to Costa Rica. There are many great airline carriers that offer either cargo travel or in-cabin travel for pets of an adequate size and temperament. Third-party logistics providers like Pet Lounge CR help their customers fly pets in direct cargo carriers, taking care of the entire process. There are a number of other shipping agencies and prices range from around $3000 to $12,000.

International airlines that fly pets as luggage or in-cabin directly to Costa Rica include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Lufthansa. It is best to check with your passenger airline if they have resumed their pet cargo service before booking. Smaller dogs and most cats can be carried in the cabin in soft carriers, as long as these are able to fit under the seat or in front of your seat if you have a seat-type with more leg room. Larger crates will have to fly in cargo because there are no wide-body passenger planes that fly into Costa Rica. Larger pets will require larger crates (a dog must be able to stand on four legs with at least three inches of clearance above their heads.

Airlines that opt to fly pets in cargo will have handlers for the animals during the travel. They are fed and watered and are walked before and after the flight. The typical price for flying your animal along on your passenger flight is around $100 to $150, or around the price of an extra baggage fee.

Fees and Restrictions For Entering Costa Rica

What is the process for importing pets into Costa Rica? Are there any restrictions on certain types of pets?

There are numerous fees, permits, and hidden costs for bringing pets to Costa Rica. It can also take dozens of hours to line up all of the pieces necessary to do so. Step one is getting your pet certified to enter Costa Rica by your local veterinarian that they are in a good state of health and that they have all of the required vaccinations. 

]In the U.S., your vet will need to get USDA certification, which only USDA certified veterinarians are able to do, so it is important to ask them beforehand if they are familiar with this process. In Canada, you will need a Canadian International Health Certificate to export your pets. The health certification must be completed no more than ten days before departure and the different required vaccinations have different timelines. Rabies, for instance, must be done at least thirty days before you fly, while Distemper, Parvo, Hepatitis, Bordetella are not subject to a specific timeline as long as they have been administered before flight.

The next step will be to pay customs taxes to enter Costa Rica. Exotic wildlife like birds and fish are not likely to be allowed to enter Costa Rica because of the import rules and it is best to check with SENASA and MINAE for their wildlife regulations and permits if you have any other exotic pets that you want to bring. Any exotic pets allowed into Costa Rica will likely require that you fly them on a chartered jet.

Without the proper paperwork, your pet will not be allowed into the country and will be quarantined in customs kennels for weeks potentially for observation before it will be released. You cannot visit your pets when they are in quarantine.

It is important to note that there are many airlines that won’t fly snub-nosed dogs (dogs with short noses) in their holds. However, there are some airlines that will accept snub-nose breeds in the cabin as long as they meet the airline’s pet in-cabin policy. For such breeds, flying in-cabin is most likely the safest way to travel. Snub-nosed dogs have difficulty flying because they are more sensitive to changes in air quality and to the temperature in the hold of the plane. Even though the air in the cargo hold is pressurized the same as in the passenger cabin, the air circulation might not be ideal for a snub-nosed dog, causing respiratory problems.

By using a pet broker service like Pet Lounge CR, they will ensure that your pets have all of the appropriate paperwork for entering and leaving Costa Rica. They will know the proper sizing of the kennel and will be the point of contact between government ministries to ensure that pets are ready to travel and enter Costa Rica. They also have a regular rapport with Costa Rica customs and will take on any worry that travelers have about the language barrier.

Acclimating your Pets to Costa Rica

I am concerned about getting my pets to Costa Rica happily. I want them to easily acclimate to roaming street dogs, snakes, toads, and other wildlife.

Costa Rica is truly a natural wonderland, especially in our less-traveled South Pacific region. Here, you will regularly witness an array of animals living on the ground, in trees, and flying through the air. Most of these will scurry quickly at the first sign of any potential danger but there are others that have natural defense systems that work great for them but are not so good with curious pets who want to make a new friend.

As such, it is a great idea for pet owners to become familiar with what the local threats are for pets. Most notably, these will include snakes, cane toads, and defensive animals with big claws, like anteaters and pizotes. The best way that owners can protect their pets from these beings is to keep them fenced in as well as in sight, especially at night when snakes and toads are most active.

If bitten by a venomous snake, you have no more than eight hours (at the very most) to get your pet to a vet, with less time for smaller animals. If you are not sure if the snake is venomous, it is better to not take the chance, although you will see tell-tale signs of delirium in your pet. 

Cane toads are prevalent in areas close to rivers and will come out as soon as it gets dark. They have a protective mechanism that releases a deadly toxin through their skin. If your dog bites a cane toad, you will want to give them immediate at-home treatment that includes washing out their mouth with lots of water. You can also use lemon juice and milk to rinse their mouths after or give them activated charcoal. But it is very important to head to the vet straight after to get an antihistamine shot. Be mindful that most dogs will survive this ordeal if following protocol, however they will forever be addicted to the “high” they get and will continue to go after the toads as a result so it is best to keep pets indoors or tied up at night.

Acclimating to weather is one of the easier things for pets as they have the ability to shed or grow fur depending on their body temperature. There are also plenty of rivers and beaches for dogs to run around and cool off, even in the hottest sun. If you have a pool, don’t be surprised if your big dogs make it their new favorite hang out. Cats, on the other hand, have a hard time adjusting to a new home, regardless of weather, insects, and animals. Often times, cats will “disappear” for a few days when moved to a new location as they get the lay of the land. This even happened with my cat when I moved less than 500m from my last location in Ojochal. If you want to avoid this process, keep your cats indoors — also a helpful move if you want to protect the native bird and bat population from your feline’s inevitable instincts.

Pet Boarding in Costa Rica

I will want to travel when living in Costa Rica and don’t want to put my pets through the torment of traveling back and forth if I am just going somewhere for a short trip. What are the pet boarding options in the area?

For those who love to travel but are not comfortable with bringing their pets back and forth more than necessary, there are a number of pet lodges around the country that are ready to help. Pet Lodge in Ojochal is a local hotel for pets where they are fenced in and well taken care of. Another popular option is Bark BnB in Jaco, which is on the way to the airport when driving from the Southern Zone. This is a larger-scale operation that also deals in pet relocation services. Otherwise, people ask their friends in the area to look after their pets when traveling for short durations.

Emotional Support Animals

Can I register my pet as an emotional support animal and fly them in the cabin with me?

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) can be a priceless friend for people suffering from anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses. Certain airlines will allow you to fly with your Emotional Support Animal in the cabin free of charge. You must submit your ESA letter and any forms the airline may require at least 48 hours before your flight. The ESA must be well-behaved and be able to fit in the space at your feet during the flight. There is no official registry. What you need in order to make your pet your official Emotional Support Animal is an ESA letter written by a licensed therapist. How to Register your Emotional Support Animal

1. Connect with a licensed therapist or doctor
2. Demonstrate your need for an ESA to the licensed professional
3. Get your document(s)

To qualify for a legitimate ESA Letter, it’s helpful to work with a licensed mental health professional who specializes in animal therapy and knows the requirements for Emotional Support Animals. However, many U.S. airlines have stopped accepting ESAs because of the abuse of the system and may require pet owners to follow the airline's regular pet policy. It is best to check with your airline on their current regulations for ESAs.

Pet Friendly Rentals

Are most home/car rentals pet friendly?

Many car and home rentals are not pet-friendly but there are many that are. You will most likely be required to pay more for a rental that accepts dogs. Rental homes that are fenced are the ideal places to start because the fence is most likely there for the safety of pets. And a private rental car company may have less policies about pets as long as they are well-behaved and do not leave a big mess.

Alternatives To Air Travel

What are the alternatives to air travel? Can I drive my dog to Costa Rica?

Driving to Costa Rica with pets may sound like an excellent alternative for the easy-going person who is in no rush. Easy may not be the best way to describe this option, although it is doable. The task is just multiplied by the number of border crossings you will be doing. Consequently, you will have to have health certificates for your pets for each of the countries you plan to travel through, all of which must be signed, translated and notarized. This paperwork is generally only valid for a maximum of two weeks so an easy-going driving pace may not suffice to cross all the way into Costa Rica.

Those interested in driving can visit the PanAmerican Travelers Association on Facebook for more resources. Sailing to Costa Rica is another option for people wanting to import their pets into the country. The price is reasonable (around £1000 per dog from Europe, plus the person’s fare). There are typically long waiting lists for this type of service because there are only 24 kennels on board, but this option would allow you to spend time with your dog, walking it and giving it needed attention during travel.

Adopting Animals From Costa Rica

I am vacationing in Costa Rica and a dog adopted me while here. Can I bring him back with me to the US?

There are so many stray and shelter dogs and cats in Costa Rica. It happens often that travelers find themselves falling in love with a dog or cat who came to visit their rental home in Costa Rica one day and simply never left. Bringing them back home with you and loving them for life may seem like a generous thing to do, which it surely is. However, it is important to consider that even domestic animals carry diseases that can be dangerous to an entire foreign dog population because of a lack of exposure. Get your Costa Rican-born pets tested thoroughly before exposing your home country’s animals to a novel disease.