Your pet has a destination, We make the journey happen.
In-cabin flights and climate-controlled cargo, SENASA veterinary certificates, IATA-compliant kennels, and an expert team supporting you every step of the way.
Scheduled flight coordination with:
Book and get a quote for your pet's trip to or from Costa Rica.
Complete these simple steps to receive your personalised itinerary and health requirements.
We’ve received your request!
A Pet Lounge specialist will contact you within 24 hours with a quote and the health requirements for your pet’s trip.
Everything your pet needs to fly without stress
We turn international logistics into a worry-free experience for you and a safe one for your pet, with support from the first enquiry through arrival.
02 · OFFICIAL PROCEDURES
SENASA Certificates & Vaccines
Issuance and endorsement of health certificates for export and import, antibody titre testing, and ISO microchipping.
03 · COMFORT & SAFETY
IATA-Compliant Travel Crates
Sized specifically so your dog or cat can stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably throughout the journey.
04 · VIP Experience
International Door-to-Door Service
We collect your pet from your home in Costa Rica, handle customs, and lovingly deliver them straight to your new home at the destination.
Is your pet staying behind? We’ll take care of them
Boarding with specialised care while you prepare for the trip, or when you travel and your pet stays behind.
From the first message to the reunion hug
We design every step to keep the entire process transparent, organised, and free of unexpected issues.
01
Quote & Route
We assess origin, destination, breed, age, and weight to select the best airline and itinerary.
02
Health & Documents
We coordinate vaccinations, parasite treatments, microchipping, and official SENASA endorsement.
03
Flight & Monitoring
Priority airport check-in, boarding supervision, and assistance during layovers.
04
A Happy Reunion!
Fast customs clearance and delivery into your arms or directly to your new home.
Years of Experience
Countries Reached
Pets Transported
Happy Families
Connecting Costa Rica with the world
Optimised flights with minimal connection times and pet-friendly procedures.
Worldwide →
SJO / LIR
Years leading pet relocation in Central America
We care for your pet as if they were our own.
Transporting an animal internationally is more than shipping a package; it requires veterinary judgement, empathy, contingency management, and thorough knowledge of customs laws.
Licensed Veterinary Team
Thorough clinical assessment and pre-flight check-up to certify that your pet is 100% fit to travel.
Expert Logistics Team
Our team is trained to find the best and safest route for your pet.
Accredited IPATA Members
We meet the most rigorous global standards for animal welfare and safe transport.
Get to know our team and hear our clients’ testimonials
Real stories of inspiring reunions
More than 6,000 families have entrusted their most cherished family member to our care.
Many thanks to Pet Lounge for all their help transporting my cats from Costa Rica to the USA. The service was easy and efficient. What can be a stressful experience and process, they make super simple. 100% recommended.
Rebeca Filomena
Viaje de: Multiple ∙
SJO →
USA
Hello, As a very anxious pet owner, I highly recommend Pet Lounge for pet care. Shadow was always happy, they kept me informed the whole time, the care they gave him was impeccable, and most importantly, he arrived safely at his destination. I highly recommend them.
Kass Laughlin
Viaje de: Shadow ∙
SJO →
MIA
I couldn’t be more grateful for the service and logistical efficiency. After contacting several animal logistics companies, they were the ones who inspired confidence from the very beginning. Bringing my two dogs from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to San José was incredibly complicated. There were cancellations due to bad weather in the Canaries and another cancellation due to a heating malfunction in the cargo hold of the plane from Madrid. They were always on top of things, adjusting routes and departures and maintaining constant contact, ensuring the dogs’ well-being. Their teamwork with transport agents in the Canary Islands, Spain, and Costa Rica was amazing. I recommend this company without hesitation. I couldn’t have done it without them. I am deeply grateful and will not hesitate to contact them again if needed. Now it’s time for everyone to rest because the stress was intense!
Gaizka Suwilo
Viaje de: Two dogs ∙
ACE →
SJO
We transported our beloved dogs with Pet Lounge. They are three large breeds and were treated with so much love and care. The entire team was so kind to my family and to them! They arrived safe and sound from Costa Rica to Houston. Thank you so much, highly recommended!
Samantha Martinez
Viaje de: 3 large dogs ∙
SJO →
IAH
I recently used Pet Lounge to transport my dog from Costa Rica to the United States, and I couldn’t be happier. From the first contact, the team was professional, attentive, and very communicative. They took care of all the details—paperwork, logistics, coordination—so I didn’t have to worry about a thing. My dog arrived safe, calm, and happy. That says it all. If you’re looking for a company you can truly trust to transport your pet, look no further. Five stars without hesitation.
Jorge Leyva
Viaje de: Bolt ∙
SJO →
MIA
We moved to California and decided to use Pet Lounge’s services to make the process smooth and ensure our Blue had a good trip. They kept us informed and advised us from the beginning regarding requirements, flights, and the nearest airport to our final destination: Folsom, CA. We 100% recommend their service! Thank you for everything! Rod, Karina, and Blue!
Karina & Rod
Viaje de: Blue ∙
SJO →
LAX
Everything you need to know before the trip.
We recommend starting the process 30 to 60 days before your preferred travel date. Some destinations, such as the European Union, require antibody blood tests with specific waiting periods.
It depends on the weight, breed, and airline.In-cabin (PETC): The usual limit is 8 to 10 kg, including the pet and carrier.
In the hold as checked baggage (AVIH): Your pet travels on the same flight in a pressurized, climate-controlled compartment.
As cargo (Manifested Cargo): Required when your pet flies unaccompanied.
Please note that many airlines do not accept brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds in the cargo hold.
No. Under strict IATA regulations and veterinary guidelines, pets should never be sedated for air travel, as sedation affects their blood pressure and thermoregulation ability at high altitudes.
We take your pet’s exact measurements. IATA regulations require that the animal be able to stand up without their head touching the top of the carrier and comfortably turn around 360 degrees.
Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats require direct flights with nighttime schedules or cooler temperatures, as well as kennels with extra ventilation. We carefully analyze each case to choose pet-friendly airlines for these breeds.
Advice for your pet’s international journey
Essential information written by our veterinary and air logistics specialists.
