I am the proud owner of four dogs, so I feel that the many people like myself that are thinking about retiring in Costa Rica have this subject foremost on their minds.

“Can I bring my pets to Costa Rica”?

Read this guideline
Importing Your Pets To Costa Rica

The very first step

you must take is to check with the air carrier that you will be using because I have found that from one carrier to another, their requirements vary from “oh, we don’t ship pets at all”, to very specific requirements as to time of day and temperature, season, “in cabin” requirements as well as “cargo” requirements. The fee for their transport varies from one airline to another from almost highway robbery to extremely fair. When checking with the carrier, it is recommended that you personally go to the airport where you will exit and speak with a knowledgeable agent.

Also, it goes without saying that for the comfort of your pet, try to choose the most direct route to Costa Rica that would eliminate many connecting flights.

They will have requirements for transporting “in cabin” which normally means the pet must be small enough to fit under your seat in a soft, collapsible carrier and that the pet must be able to stand up in their carrier without the head touching the top, etc. Also, if you have more than one pet, they may have requirements per flight of how many pets can fly in cabin.

If your pet is too large, it must travel in cargo in an airline approved hard transport carrier (no wire or open carriers, it must be plastic, closed on three sides, etc) and all transport carriers marked appropriately with your name, phone number, “LIVE ANIMAL”, etc. Also, if you have more than one “in cargo” pet, you need to know the rules for that as well. Again, do your homework and adhere to their rules to the letter.

Step two would be to determine as soon as possible the date you want to leave and this may be dictated by the airline if they have certain months of pet embargo due to climate, etc.

If you have a choice, try to choose the mildest climate for the pet, spring or fall to avoid the extremes in temperatures and night flights during especially warm weather is going to be better than day time. Make sure your pet/s is healthy and free of parasites and are up to date on their vaccinations, and especially rabies.  The rule is that the vaccinations must be no older than one year or newer than one month.

So, you have met all the air carrier’s requirements, your pet/s are healthy and up to date on vaccinations and free of parasites, your next step are their International health certificate from a qualified veterinarian. Again, adhere to your air carrier’s requirements as to exactly when you get the health certificate completed. The (very strict) rules seem to be by the airlines that the health certificate be issued no more than 8 to 10 days prior to take off. This is pretty obvious as they don’t want an animal with a six month health certificate that has contracted a disease in the interim. Carefully choose the doctor because your vet must be certified (be sure he/she is) to issue an international health certificate.

To Tranquilize Or Not? Tranquilizers act differently in each animal; leaving some dangerously sedated and others wired for charge. Since you would not be able to supervise should a normal dosage happen to be an overdose in your pet, it is best not to drug them at all.

To Feed Or Not To Feed? Feed them a good meal no sooner than 6 to 8 hours prior to take off to assure they don’t get motion sickness and vomit and have to travel the whole way in a soiled crate. Perhaps feeding a meal with a high moisture content to keep them from dehydration is a plus.

A good and vigorous walk some few hours prior to take off to be sure they eliminate well will go a long way for their comfort. Pack a soft absorbent type of fabric, an old thick towel is great to serve as comfort for resting or to absorb any type of bodily “mistakes” is a great aid. A favorite toy is a good comfort as well.

Now, with all documents in hand and pets loaded and everything a “done deal”, sit back and enjoy the ride. When you land in Costa Rica, pets will be waiting separately from luggage for you to present proper paperwork. Let me dispel one fear: Costa Rica does not have a pet quarantine. Your pet is accepted or rejected; it won’t enter “purgatory”.

If you adhere to all the above regulations when you present your paperwork to the Costa Rican customs agent you will be fine!.

Please feel free to call me or write for any help you may need
Carol Odonnell: Cell: (506) 8318-0717
Location: Hermosa/Jaco beach
Position: Marketing Director Central Pacific
Telephones: Office (506) 2778-7410
Toll Free: 1 (866) 374 -8522  SanJose toll free  1 888 581 1786
Email: carol@costaricaretirementvacationproperties.com

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