Mexico
Entry Requirements
Pets traveling to Mexico: Is this a good place to bring or move with pets?
Here are reviews and details to help you see if this country is a good place to travel with your cats and/or dogs
Official Mexican government website on importing pets
Official government website on pets coming from the US to Mexico
Requirements for Bringing a Dog or Cat to Mexico from a Non-high Rabies Country
Medical Requirements:
Rabies vaccine (unless puppy under 3 months), internally and externally dewormed within the last 6 months and free of ectoparasites and wounds, health clearance from the vet.
Documentation Required and how to get it:
A vet from the country of departure will create a health certificate. The certificate must happen within 15 days of your pet’s arrival and be on the veterinarian’s official letterhead and a registry number.
For those coming from North America, a health certificate is NOT needed. The pet will be inspected by the Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office upon arrival.
If you travel regularly between the U.S. and Mexico with your dog, you can request to register in the “Pet Program – Frequent Traveler”.
Requirements for Bringing a Dog or Cat to Mexico from a High Rabies Country
Medical Requirements:
Rabies vaccine (unless puppy under 3 months), internally and externally dewormed within the last 6 months, and free of ectoparasites and wounds, health clearance from the vet.
Rabies titer tests are NOT required.
Documentation Required and how to get it:
A vet from the country of departure will create a health certificate. The certificate must happen within 15 days of your pet’s arrival and be on the veterinarian’s official letterhead and a registry number.
Additional Considerations
Microchip Requirements:
NA
Quarantine Requirements (if any):
NA unless the Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office find parasites or signs of disease upon arrival.
Breed Restrictions:
NA
Number of pet restrictions:
Could not find a consistent answer
Other:
Don’t put anything like toys, treats, or even a bed in their crate. They will be confiscated.
Is this country considered high-risk rabies for entry into the US?
No
Is this country considered high rabies for entry into EU countries?
No
Are you flying to Mexico?
Read Flying with a Dog Under the Airplane Seat: The Ultimate Guide
Read Flying with a Big Dog: Travel Tips for Ease & Safety
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This information was last updated January 2023. If you notice any errors or updates, please let us know by contacting us here.
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4 Reviews on “Mexico”
I found the process of leaving Mexico City on a flight to Europe to be extremely frustrating! I missed my flight because even though I arrived at the airport 4 hours early, that wasn’t enough time to get my pet immigration paperwork completed. I think it is easier if you are flying to the US because you don’t have to do all this extra work. Since I was flying to Belgium, I had to go to the SAGARPA office in the airport. I brought all my paperwork with me. Once I got to the office, I had to fill out 6 pages of information and I needed to include multiple copies. I talked to other people who were able to get their paperwork done in about an hour, but the office was short staffed and there was a long line, so I ended up missing my flight. I was so frustrated, I was in tears. Some of the other people in line knew that this line can take a long time, so they were getting ready for their flight the next day. I would definitely recommend coming a day ahead! Other people were like me and had no idea, so they missed their flight as well. Later, I learned from someone who works in the pet courier industry they go the day before for the “primera firma” and then on the flight day, arrive 4 hours early to get the “segunda firma”. They are the two stamps you have to get to fly to the EU.
My friend brought her dog to visit me in Mexico last year from the US, and it was super easy (at least at that time). No special paperwork or anything. And Mexico has tons of great places to travel around
Mexico has both pros and cons when it comes to travelling with a dog.
Pro – Restaurants allow them almost everywhere as long as the dining is outside (which is most places). In fact, we never had to leave him in the hotel!
Con – Most hotels actually don’t allow dogs. We had to look very hard for options for him, and if we did find one, most hotels add an extra cost up to 1000 pesos a night! So be careful when reading the fine print.
Pro- Airbnb’s were good for dogs, having no extra fees, and easy to find in most places around Mexico.
Con – Beaches from Cancun down to Tulum did not allow dogs. Don’t bother taking a dog there.
Pro – Puerto Vallarta, the entire area up to Lo De Marcos did allow dogs, and were very dog friendly.
Con – Grass is hard to find in Mexico, so if your pet needs green space, you will have some trouble there.
Overall, I would suggest Mexico is dog friendly, and a great place to holiday. I would reccomend sticking to the pacific coast or small towns for a more relaxed trip with your dog.
To check out some pictures of our dog in Mexico, check out our instagram feed for him. https://www.instagram.com/whereislittleleonardo/
Your dog is adorable and I’m so excited about the adventures you have been able to go on together. Great tip about Airbnbs
Mexico is one of the easiest countries to bring your pet from the US, so it can be a great place to travel with a dog. Even big dogs can go fairly easily if you cross a land border in your own car. Traveling inside the country is where it gets tricky because the long distance busses want to put them in with the cargo and that doesn’t sound like a great plan to me. They can’t ride on the Metro in Mexico City, but there are pet friendly taxis. My little guy is terrified of fireworks. Since Mexico is famous for having fireworks with pretty much every holiday or celebration, that’s our biggest concern with Mexico.