Latin America
Pet travel to Rio de Janeiro
MAPA/VIGIAGRO import clearance with expert Brazilian customs coordination at GIG.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
MAPA import permit obtained before travel
- 2
Rabies vaccination (minimum 30 days before and not more than 12 months before entry)
- 3
Health certificate endorsed by USDA-APHIS or national competent authority
- 4
Internal parasite treatment 72 hours before departure
- 5
External parasite treatment 72 hours before departure
These are the official entry rules for Brazil.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for Brazil.
Brazil requires the CVI to be issued by the official veterinary authority of the export country, not just any vet. No titre test required. Galeão International Airport (GIG) customs (MAPA/VIGIAGRO inspection post) handles all pet arrivals. We coordinate advance permit filing and airport reception.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Rio de Janeiro.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Rio de Janeiro.
Permit Filing
Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.
Veterinary Coordination
We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.
Airport Concierge
A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.
Local Logistics
Getting your pet into Rio de Janeiro.
Galeão International (GIG) has VIGIAGRO inspection facilities and handles international arrivals including cargo. Santos Dumont (SDU) is central but domestic only. We coordinate the MAPA import permit for GIG arrivals and arrange city-centre ground transport.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
21–45 days
Ready to travel to Rio de Janeiro?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Rio de Janeiro.
Copacabana Comfort Home
Copacabana Comfort Home is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats are also welcome.
Apartamento Copacabana
This 1-bedroom apartment in Rio de Janeiro is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Luna Rossa Guest House
Luna Rossa Guest House allows dogs of any size for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Cantinho
Cantinho is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Rio de Janeiro.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Rio de Janeiro. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Rio de Janeiro with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Public Transit
Metrô Rio permits pets in carriers on all lines. Practical for Ipanema–Botafogo–Centro corridors. Air-conditioned and efficient.
Private Cars
Car and taxi essential for Corcovado, Santa Teresa, and Barra da Tijuca. We coordinate vetted pet-friendly transfers across the city.
On Foot
Leblon and Ipanema are supremely walkable early mornings. We provide neighbourhood maps showing permitted boardwalk sections and shaded park routes.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Rio de Janeiro, with your dog.
Parcão Lagoon
The Parcão da Lagoa is pet-friendly. The park still has ares where dogs can run without a leash, including grassy sections where they might meet other
Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, Rio de Janeiro, BR, 22411-071
Praia do Diabo
Devil's Beach, despite its name, is actually paradise for pups! Locals know it as the best beach dog in the area, allowing dogs to run loose on the sand
Rua Garota de Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, BR
Rio Design Barra
Rio Design Barra is a pet-friendly shopping mall in Rio, Brazil. Fashion, culture, and food come together at this hub in Brazil's capital city. You
7777 Avenida das Américas, Rio de Janeiro, BR, 22793-081
Boardwalk of Copacabana
The Boardwalk of Copacabana is pet-friendly. This Rio classic is a popular sidewalk for pups to walk on a leash with their owners. The wavy pathway
22d Avenida Atlântica, Rio de Janeiro, BR, 22021-000
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Rio de Janeiro.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Rio de Janeiro. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Aprazível
Santa Teresa
Hillside garden terrace with sweeping city views — dogs welcome at outdoor tables with advance notice.
Casual
Barraca do Uruguaio
Ipanema Beach
Open-air beachside kiosk; dogs welcome in the outdoor seating area.
Market
Feira do Rio Antigo
Lapa
Monthly open-air antiques market — dogs welcome throughout the outdoor grounds.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Petland Ipanema
R. Visconde de Pirajá 414, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Full range of premium import foods including Royal Canin and Orijen; knowledgeable English-speaking staff.
Big Box
Cobasi Barra Shopping
Av. das Américas 4666, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
Brazil's leading pet retail chain; prescription diet stock and grooming services on-site.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Hospital Veterinário Pet Land
Export Clinic
Clínica Veterinária Barra Funda
Av. das Américas 3900, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
18 km from Ipanema
Mon–Sat 8:00–20:00
Boarding & Daycare
Dog Residence Rio
R. Nascimento Silva 107, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
0.4 km from Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Mon–Sun 7:00–20:00
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Rio de Janeiro.
We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to Rio de Janeiro.
Travelling to
Pet type
No obligation · Concierge response within 24 hours
Paws en Route Concierge
Ready to turn this guide into a real trip?
Your Preparation Timeline
We build a personalised calendar for Rio de Janeiro: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.
Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded
Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for Rio de Janeiro and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Rio de Janeiro.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
