Bringing a dog or cat with you when you relocate to Boquete is absolutely possible — and well worth the effort — but Panama has a specific set of veterinary and paperwork requirements you must meet. Below I give a clear, step-by-step, accurate guide (with official sources) so you and your pet arrive with minimal stress and no surprises.
Quick summary
- You need an international health certificate signed by a USDA/CFIA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by your national agricultural authority (USDA APHIS for the U.S.; CFIA for Canada), then authenticated by the Panamanian consulate (or apostille when required). (See APHIS and Embassy guidance.)
- Rabies vaccination: pets must have their first rabies vaccination at 3 months of age and wait at least 30 days after that shot before entering Panama; animals under ~4 months are not permitted. Other routine vaccinations and parasite treatments are expected.
- You must submit the Panama “Home Quarantine Request” to the Ministry of Health at least 3 days before arrival and pay arrival fees (paid in cash at the airport).
- Most issues arise from missed deadlines, missing signatures/endorsements, or airline-policy conflicts — follow deadlines closely and confirm with both your vet and the airline.
Recommended resources to check out: USDA APHIS pet-travel page for Panama, Embassy of Panama guidance on travelling with pets, and practical walkthroughs maintained by specialized pet-move services (e.g., PetTravel.com and PetRelocation). Read them yourself while preparing — rules can change, and the official pages above should be your final check.
Important official requirements (what Panama expects)
- Health certificate: An international health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by your country’s veterinary export authority (USDA APHIS for U.S. exports; CFIA in Canada). APHIS provides Panama-specific health certificate forms and digital endorsement (VEHCS). See APHIS for forms and details.
- APHIS notes: after APHIS endorsement the certificate still must be stamped/signed by a Panamanian diplomatic office (consulate or embassy) or be apostilled when applicable.
- Rabies vaccine: Dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies from 3 months of age and at least 30 days must have passed since the rabies vaccination prior to entry (so pets under ~4 months are not allowed). Keep original rabies certificate showing vaccine brand, date, and lot.
- Microchip: ISO-compatible microchip (ISO 11784/11785) is recommended. If the chip is not ISO standard, bring a scanner or note that authorities may request additional identification.
- Parasite prevention: Dogs & cats should be treated for internal and external parasites prior to travel; have records of deworming and flea/tick treatments.
- Home quarantine application: You must notify Panama by submitting the “Home Quarantine Request” at least 3 days before arrival — email a scanned copy of your endorsed health certificate and arrival details to the Ministry of Health addresses given by Panamanian officials (see the Embassy page and APHIS). The form is available on the Panamanian Ministry of Health site and APHIS instructs owners to email cam@minsa.gob.pa
- Airport inspection & fees: On arrival the airport veterinarian inspects documents and the animal. Typical fees reported on official pages and travel guides: MIDA inspection fee (
$16 USD) plus MINSA home-quarantine fee ($130 USD) — bring exact cash (USD). If paperwork is incomplete the pet may be returned, quarantined in a government facility or refused.
Practical note: APHIS explicitly warns that airlines and shipping companies have their own rules — always confirm with your airline about in-cabin vs. checked/cargo travel, breed restrictions, and crate dimensions before booking.
Timeline and checklist (start here — ideal schedule)
- 3–6 months before move:
- Microchip (if not already) — ISO 15-digit recommended. Register chip data with your contact details.
- Ensure core vaccinations are up-to-date (distemper/parvo etc. for dogs; feline core for cats). If your pet needs a first rabies shot, schedule early because Panama requires 30 days after initial rabies vaccination.
- Book consultation with a USDA-accredited (or CFIA-registered) veterinarian who is familiar with international export health certificates.
- 30–14 days before travel:
- If your pet’s first rabies vaccine was recently given, make sure 30 days will elapse before travel. Boosters given before expiry are allowed without the 30-day wait.
- Confirm parasite treatment plan and get records.
- 10–0 days before travel:
- Have your accredited veterinarian complete the international health certificate. In the U.S., use the APHIS VEHCS process (digital endorsement will print). APHIS notes some certificates must be issued within specific windows; follow the form instructions and your veterinarian’s advice.
- Get the APHIS endorsement (US) or CFIA endorsement (Canada). Once APHIS endorses, the Panamanian consulate authentication (or apostille) is normally required — follow APHIS guidance for the consular step.
- Mail or deliver documents to the Panamanian consulate for stamping (or obtain apostille if applicable); include a prepaid return envelope if mailing. Embassy of Panama details and consular process are spelled out on their website.
- Email the completed “Home Quarantine Request” and scanned endorsed health certificate to Panamanian Ministry of Health as instructed (the APHIS page and Embassy list cam@minsa.gob.pa and other address instructions). Do this at least 3–5 days prior to arrival.
- Day of travel:
- Carry originals plus several color copies of all documents (health certificate, vaccination records, microchip info, consular authentication). Keep the documents with you (not solely in checked luggage).
- Bring USD cash to pay the airport veterinary fees (exact amounts and cash only: MIDA ~$16 and MINSA ~$130 have been cited — confirm the current amounts on official sites).
- Have crate and paperwork ready per your airline’s rules; allow extra time at check-in for pet processing.
Travel logistics (airlines, crates, layovers, and routing to Boquete)
- Choose your route carefully:
- Most international arrivals happen at Tocumen (PTY) in Panama City where the veterinary inspection occurs. If you then fly or drive to David (Chiriquí Province) and onward to Boquete, bring the documentation presented at PTY. Direct flights or short layovers are best — an EU layover may trigger extra EU transit rules.
- If your arrival is directly into David (airport code: DAV) on a domestic connection, confirm with the airline and the Panamanian officials where your import inspection will be done. Many owners route through PTY to ensure clear import processing.
- Cabin vs cargo:
- Small pets may travel in-cabin depending on airline policy and size/weight limits; larger animals will travel as checked baggage or air cargo in an IATA-approved crate. Confirm with the airline months ahead and reserve the pet spot early — airlines limit pets per flight. APHIS emphasizes airline policies vary.
- Crate & welfare:
- Use an IATA-compliant crate for cargo. Acclimate your pet to the crate weeks beforehand. Avoid sedatives unless explicitly recommended by a veterinarian experienced in travel sedation (many vets and airlines discourage sedatives for air travel).
- Ground transport to Boquete:
- From David: Boquete is about a 30–60 minute drive from David (depending on exact start point). If you land in Panama City, consider a short domestic flight to David plus a taxi/rental car to Boquete, or plan the 6–8 hour drive across the isthmus (longer and tiring for pets). If driving, plan for regular stops, water, and shade.
What happens at Tocumen (arrival procedure)
- Present originals of the health certificate (endorsed and consularly authenticated), vaccination records and microchip info to the airport veterinarian/inspection desk. If paperwork is in order, the animal is released to you the same day.
- Pay required inspection and quarantine fees in cash (USD). Officials will tell you the precise amounts; bring exact cash to avoid delays.
- Home quarantine: if approved, you are permitted to keep your pet at your residence for the 40-day quarantine period; you must follow any conditions set by MINSA. APHIS and embassy pages describe the process and whom to contact for home quarantine.
After arrival in Boquete — practical on-the-ground steps
- Register a local vet and schedule a post-arrival check-up within a week. Boquete and David have veterinarians and clinics; expect that David (the provincial capital) will have larger services if specialized care or labs are needed.
- Continue parasite prevention — ticks and tropical parasites are a real concern in Panama; discuss a prevention plan with your vet. (Bring records of prior treatments for reference.)
- If you microchipped overseas, confirm the chip number is entered into at least one international database and update your contact info to local phone/addresses. If you plan to leave Panama later, keep all original documentation accessible for re-entry to other countries when you travel.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Missing or late endorsements (USDA/APHIS or CFIA) — coordinate early with a USDA-accredited vet and allow time for endorsement mailing or digital VEHCS processing. Use tracked overnight shipping when mailing documents for consular authentication.
- Not getting the consular authentication/apostille in time — check the nearest Panamanian consulate’s requirements and processing time. APHIS emphasizes the consulate stamp is still required though Panama had decisions on apostille status in the past — follow current guidance on APHIS/Embassy pages.
- Airline surprise rules — confirm cabin vs cargo, crate dimensions, and check-in windows directly with the airline; book your pet space early.
- No cash for inspection fees — Panama’s official pages repeatedly say some fees are cash-only at the airport. Bring exact USD.
Practical tips for pet comfort and safety
- Crate-train your pet well in advance. Take short trial trips so they tolerate being enclosed.
- Keep routine medicines, a small familiar blanket or toy, copies of recent vet records, and a photo of you with your pet in case of separation.
- Avoid feeding right before travel to reduce motion sickness risk; consult your vet about food and water timing.
- Make a checklist of all documents (original + 3 copies) and keep them in a folder carried in-cabin with you.