How to Relocate Your Household & Pets to Costa Rica

So, what does it take to relocate to Costa Rica? Read our relocation guide to find out.

Moving and shipping household goods

Knowing how to move your household items and belongings to Costa Rica can be frustrating. As with many countries, customs regulations are not always clear, and you may be asked for multiple forms of documentation.

How to ship household items and belongings

When moving your goods to Costa Rica, it is possible to do so via land, air, or water. Unless you are from neighboring Nicaragua or Panama, moving your items by land may be the most complicated because your goods will need to move through several different countries. This option is only possible for expats already based in North, Central, or South America.

Shipping your items by boat or plane are the best methods when moving to Costa Rica. Air freight will be more costly, but they will also arrive sooner. You will even have the option of your goods landing the same day that you do.

Moving your goods by boat will be cheaper, but time consuming. Depending on where you are moving from, cargo ships usually take between four to eight weeks to arrive. However, if you are moving to Costa Rica and do not yet have long-term accommodation secured, this may be a convenient option.

What to pack when moving to Costa Rica

Although you can easily find household items and goods in Costa Rica, it is always a good idea to bring some comforts of home. As with any country, Costa Rica may not have some of your favorite brands that you are used to from back home, so it is always a good idea to pack some extra.

Some items that expats have found useful to bring to Costa Rica are:

• A universal power adapter and voltage converter, especially if you are moving from Europe or countries with different plug types;
• A personal emergency kit with essential medications and first-aid supplies;
• Important documents such as birth certificates, diplomas, medical records, and notarized translations if needed;
• Personal electronics like a reliable phone, laptop, and backup storage drives.

While some products may be harder to find or slightly more expensive, Costa Rica is part of a globalized economy with access to major courier services, including Amazon delivery. Today, it is possible to order almost anything you need with a bit of planning.

Customs regulations for Costa Rica

When packing your items, be sure to keep a detailed list of what you are bringing. If you are shipping several boxes, it is advisable to label each box and have a corresponding list per box, so that you can identify items more easily.

Travelers entering Costa Rica can bring personal items without paying taxes, as long as they are for personal or professional use and not in commercial quantities.

According to Article 365 of the Customs Regulation, you may include:

• Clothing, jewelry, bags, and umbrellas;
• Medications and hygiene products in reasonable quantities;
• Sports or recreational gear;
• One camera, one computer or tablet, and a small sound system;
• Tools or instruments for your profession (non-industrial);
• Musical instruments, books, toys, and personal documents;
• Up to 500g of tobacco, 5 liters of alcohol, and 2kg of candy.

Unaccompanied luggage can arrive within 3 months before or after you do, with a labeled inventory and declared values.

Moving Your Household (Menaje de Casa)

This one-time benefit allows you to import household goods tax-free if you are:

• A Costa Rican returning from abroad;
• A resident with a valid permit;
• A diplomat or official;
• A foreigner renting or owning property for at least 6 months.

You’ll need a licensed customs broker and a sworn list of items showing they are for personal or family use.

Customs officers will typically require commercial receipts, lading bills, and airway bills in order to collect all of your things. If you have shipped items via a postal service, they will only require your post invoice.

Documents required to claim your items

• Valid passport;
• Inventory of your packed goods including a declared value for each item;
• If you bring electronics, you will need to list the brand name and serial number for each piece;
• Insurance documents for any large items;
• Deeds of sale (especially if you are bringing a car);
• A letter stating why you are bringing these goods to Costa Rica.

All documents presented to customs will need to be translated in Spanish.

Costa Rican customs allowances

In addition to your own personal, used goods, you may also bring the following into Costa Rica:

• 400 cigarettes;
• 50 cigars;
• 500 g of tobacco;
• 5 liters of liquor.

You may also bring your car to Costa Rica but be aware that it will be subject to high import and tax duties depending on the make, model, year, size, and overall value of your vehicle. To bring your car you will need to submit the following:

• vehicle registration;
• proof of purchase;
• EPA smog test that is approved by the exporting country.

You will need to bring the original and copies of each document.

Prohibited and restricted items in Costa Rica

Restricted

Items on this list may be subject to extra inspection or require documentation. Be sure to keep all invoices and receipts.

• Items that are brand new;
• Large appliances;
• Electronics;
• Weapons and ammunition.

Prohibited

• Explosives;
• Pornographic and subversive;
• Narcotics and illegal drugs;
• Used tires;
• Medicines (with an exception of prescription medication and over-the-counter items);
• Animal products;
• Bulk agricultural items.

Home good storage

Expats often find themselves in need of either long- or short-term storage. In a country with a housing market like Costa Rica’s, this is especially useful as new immigrants wait to find the perfect home. Why lug your goods between temporary accommodations when you can instead keep them stored until you are ready to move into your new house?

Vaccinations and health requirements for Costa Rica

The vaccinations required for Costa Rica are standard to what expats will need for the majority of countries around the world. Many expats may have received these as booster shots in their home country.

What standard vaccinations do I need for Costa Rica?

The following vaccinations are required by Costa Rican immigration, similar to what is needed in most countries around the world:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Typhoid
• Influenza
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDAP)
• Polio
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Pneumonia

Extra health requirements for Costa Rican immigration

In addition to the standard vaccinations above, foreigners from certain countries will also need an additional vaccine for yellow fever.

This is mandatory only for travelers over 9 months old coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission or those who transited more than 12 hours in airports of such countries.

Expats from the following countries are required to have a yellow fever vaccine: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Health risks

While living in Costa Rica, expats should be wary of the following insect-borne illnesses:

• Chagas’ disease;
• Dengue fever;
• Leishmaniasis;
• Malaria.

A particularly dangerous food-borne disease is leptospirosis.

Most of these diseases are uncommon in urban areas and can be prevented with insect repellent, proper clothing, bottled water, and good hygiene.

Drinking water

It is generally safe to drink the tap water in Costa Rica, especially in the cities. However, expats should consider purchasing water purifying tablets and drinking bottled water at restaurants or in the countryside.

Moving with pets

Are you thinking of moving to Costa Rica with pets? Whether you are moving to the Pura Vida country as a solo expat or with your family, this often includes bringing your furry friend with you. Luckily, bringing a domestic animal to this country is fairly hassle free as long as you follow all of the necessary steps.

How can you bring pets into Costa Rica?

When taking your dog or your cat to Costa Rica, you must make sure you have the correct documentation to prove they have received a rabies vaccine. This vaccine must have been administered at least 30 days before your pet’s arrival in the country, regardless of where you are traveling from. A blood titer test is not required from any country.

Pets must also arrive with a certificate of health from a licensed veterinarian. This certificate must be issued no more than 14 days before the pet’s arrival in Costa Rica. It must also be translated into Spanish. You will also need to bring a letter that states your animal’s breed and market value.

Vaccinations for dogs

Dogs traveling to Costa Rica must have also received the following vaccinations:

• Distemper;
• Hepatitis;
• Leptospirosis;
• Parvovirus;
• Parainfluenza;
• Rabies.

Vaccinations for cats

Cats traveling to Costa Rica must have the following vaccinations:

• Feline viral rhinotracheitis
• Calicivirus
• Panleukopenia
• Feline leukemia
• Rabies

Ticks and tapeworm

In addition to a rabies shot and the different vaccines for cats and dogs, your pets must also be treated against ticks and tapeworms no more than 15 days before arriving in the country. You must provide proof of this treatment.

Microchips

Pets entering Costa Rica are not required to have a microchip, but it is recommended, especially if your animal arrives separately from you.

Importing puppies and kittens

Puppies and kittens less than three months of age may enter Costa Rica only if they have a health certificate that is endorsed by the government agency charged with importing/exporting animals in their origin country.

Is there a mandatory quarantine in Costa Rica?

Bringing pets to Costa Rica does not require quarantine. Within 14 days of arrival, your pet must be examined by a licensed veterinarian in Costa Rica. The veterinarian will issue an official Costa Rican Veterinary Certificate, which must be translated into Spanish.