Pet Transport Costa Rica to USA: CDC High-Risk Pathway and 2026 Requirements

San Jose Juan Santamaria International (SJO) is one of the better-connected small international airports in Central America, with direct flights to Miami, Houston, and Atlanta. The physical journey from Costa Rica to the USA is short, often under four hours to Miami. The CDC documentation process, however, is the same regardless of flight distance.

Dogs from Costa Rica go through the same high-risk pathway as dogs from Colombia or Peru: vaccination certification endorsed by SENASA-CR, CDC Dog Import Form, and titre or quarantine. The advantage of the short flight is that it puts less stress on your pet during the cargo journey. Miami (MIA) is the most practical arrival airport for Costa Rica pets given the flight frequency and established CDC facility infrastructure nearby.

SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) handles export permits through its online portal. The permit process takes at least two weeks and the SENASA-endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form is the key document for the CDC high-risk pathway. Your Costa Rican official vet fills in the details and SENASA endorses it.

Because the permit can be obtained online without visiting a government office, the process is more accessible than some other Central American animal export procedures. Apply for the permit before finalising the cargo booking, so you have it in hand for the documentation package.