Latin America
Pet travel to San José
SENASA-compliant documentation from permit to APHIS endorsement — no quarantine, weekday arrivals essential.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
Health certificate endorsed by SENASA (Costa Rica) or equivalent official authority, issued within 10 days
- 2
Rabies vaccination — valid, minimum 14 days before travel
- 3
Internal and external parasite treatment documented
- 4
ISO microchip recommended for re-entry facilitation
These are the official entry rules for Costa Rica.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for Costa Rica.
No quarantine for fully compliant pets. The 1-year rabies vaccine rule is the single most common compliance failure for North American clients — Costa Rica does not recognise 3-year vaccine labels beyond 12 months from administration. No breed restrictions at the national level. United, American, and Air Canada serve Juan Santamaría International Airport from North America.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle San José.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for San José.
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 San José.
Juan Santamaría International (SJO) is Costa Rica's main hub with frequent North American connections. SENASA inspection is on-site and efficient for compliant documentation. We pre-notify SENASA and arrange private ground transport from SJO.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
7–14 days
Ready to travel to San José?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in San José.
Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina allows pets of any size with a refundable deposit of $10 per night.
Luxury Apartment in Prime Location 201
This 2-bedroom apartment in San Jose allows 1 dog of any size for no additional fee. Cats are also welcome.
Cata Bed Breakfast
Cata Bed Breakfast 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 San José.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in San José. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating San José 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
Costa Rica's public buses do not accommodate pets. All transport across the Greater Metropolitan Area is by private vehicle. The airport sits 18km from central San José — allow 45–60 minutes for the transfer.
Private Cars
Our executive car partners meet all flights at Juan Santamaría and serve the full Central Valley including Escazú, Santa Ana, and Heredia. SUVs available for large breeds and crate transport.
On Foot
Barrio Escalante's café-lined streets and Parque Metropolitano La Sabana are the city's most walkable dog zones. We provide neighbourhood guides for early morning and evening circuits.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
San José, with your dog.
Every pet's travel style is different. Contact our team for customised local intelligence and pet-friendly recommendations for San José.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in San José. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Mantras Veggie Café
Barrio Escalante
Garden seating with red canvas umbrellas; dogs welcome on the covered outdoor terrace — a local dog-owner institution.
Casual
Berlín Berlín
Plaza Tempo, Escazú
Lively outdoor terrace adjacent to the mall; dogs welcome at all exterior tables.
Market
Feria Verde de Aranjuez
Barrio Aranjuez
Open-air Saturday organic market, 7am–12pm — dogs are an active part of the weekly ritual.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Hospital Intensivet
La Sabana neighbourhood (1.5 km west of Pops on Sabana), San José
1.5 km from Parque La Sabana
24/7, 365 days
Export Clinic
Hospital Veterinario Agromédica
Boarding & Daycare
Medical Pets Curridabat
325m south of McDonald's, Plaza del Sol, Curridabat, San José
6 km from Parque La Sabana
24/7
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for San José.
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 San José.
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 San José: 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 San José and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about San José.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
