Update – June 2022
Guatemala is on the list of 113 countries that have a high rate of dog rabies.
The CDC has lifted the “ban” on dogs entering and leaving Guatemala.
However, there are a few additional requirements you need to know before you go!
Jump Ahead To:
Traveling to Guatemala with a dog
There are important steps you must take to bring a dog to Guatemala and for taking your dog back home from a trip to Guatemala
It is important to distinguish between the airline requirements for bringing dogs to Guatemala and the Guatemala government’s requirements for taking your dog to Guatemala.
This article will share information about both.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to bring a dog to Guatemala.
Step A – Must haves before you go
Your dog must have…
To be at least 6 months old
A valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate
An ISO-compatible microchip
To be in good health
These are all requirements needed in order to return to the U.S. after visiting Guatemala with your dog.
Step B – Health Certificate
Guatemala’s Government Requirements
Here is what you need to take a dog to Guatemala. No matter if you are flying or driving into Guatemala, the government requires 3 things:
- Complete the NEW health certificate form for Guatemala >> view here.
Note: APHIS7001 FORM no longer accepted! - Signed rabies vaccine certificate that is current and will not expire while in Guatemala
- Confirmation the dog/cat is being treated for prevention of external and internal parasites
Note: You do not need a “Pet Passport” – this is not part of Guatemala’s official requirements.
When traveling with dogs to Guatemala you must prove the dog is healthy.
There is a new health certificate form for Guatemala is called “Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs, Cats from the United States of America to Guatemala”. It is in both English and Spanish.
This new health certificate must be completed and signed by USDA Accredited Veterinarian.
Be sure to provide the veterinarian with the address of where you will be staying/living while in Guatemala. This is part of the requirements.
Step C – Getting the Health Certificate Endorsed by the USDA Veterinary Services Office
Common mistakes that are made and can cause a rejection and delay:
– Rabies Certificate not signed
– The old form was submitted – not the new one
Once the paperwork is reviewed and endorsed, the veterinarian will print out completed and endorsed forms. Ask for additional copies or get color copies made.
The airlines will be able to use the same paperwork for their requirments.
Our experience flying into the Guatemala International Airport with our dogs
Editors note: The following account was done before 2020.
We landed at the Guatemala airport with all our dog’s paperwork stamped and ready for entry into Guatemala.
First, we went through the customs area and had our passports stamped. We kept the dogs in their soft-side carriers during this process.
Next, we picked up our luggage and let the dogs out of their carriers.
We were directed to a government office in the baggage claim area. It was a small room with a desk and a printer/scanner.
The official took all the paperwork and scanned each page into their system, then handed the originals back to us.
The official did not provide any government form stating the dogs were legally admitted to Guatemala.
Before we left the office, I asked if there were any special requirements for taking our dogs home or out of Guatemala. And there were!
Be aware… there are strict requirements for taking a dog home from Guatemala.
In conclusion, I would say the experience of bringing our dogs into Guatemala went smoothly. We followed all the government requirements for traveling to Guatemala with a dog.
We all really enjoyed our 3 months in Guatemala and were so happy to have our girls – Olivia and Sofia with us!
Airlines flying to Guatemala that accept Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
Avianca: The transport in cabin of the service dogs, rescue dogs, guide dogs or emotional support dogs has no additional charge.
Aeroméxico – accepts emotional-support pets onboard their flights, in compliance with Air Carrier Access Act.
Volaris – ESAs can travel at no cost on flights within Mexico and from/to Central America only.
COPA – Emotional support dogs will only be accepted on routes where they are recognized in the country’s regulations: to or from Brazil, Canada, Colombia and Mexico.
Requirements for bringing your dog to the U.S.
Here is a link from the CDC about bringing your pet to US.
As always… Safe Travels!
You may be interested in…
What you need to know about leaving Guatemala with a pet
Our experience attending a pet friendly Spanish school in Guatemala – SISAI Spanish School
Crossing the border in Texas? Checkout this pet friendly (and kid friendly) road trip itinerary with cool places to visit and lodging suggestions. Pet Friendly Mexico Road Trip
I am traveling to Guatemala
Hola Ana, Since you didn’t say where you were coming from, I am going to assume you are coming from the U.S. traveling to Guatemala. You will need to find a veterinarian that is USDA certified and has an account with the USDA’s online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). The veterinarian will get the Guatemala approved health certificate once logged into this system. They must upload the completed health certificate via the VEHCS. There is a copy of the Guatemala approved heath certificate in English and Spanish on my webpage. “Complete the NEW health certificate form for Guatemala >>… Read more »
Where can I find the veterinary Health Certificate for dogs and cats both in English and Spanish
Hi! I am traveling with my service dog from Miami to Guatemala City on May 2nd. I’m returning back to Miami on June 2nd. I have applied for the health certificate to leave. It’s looking like I will need to have another health certificate done for my dogs re-entry into the US, correct? (She meets CDC requirements to re-enter without an import permit.)
I’m flying with Avianca and I’ve been trying to get clear word on requirements to prevent any mishaps. Thank you!
Hola Chelsea! Yes, you will have to get a health certificate for your dog in order to leave Guatemala. Make sure to get the M.A.G.A. stamps on the health certificate so you can export your dog out of Guatemala. Although Avianca airline does not seem to require a health certificate for your dog to fly with them, they will ask a government official to approve of the “export paperwork” (health certificate with M.A.G.A. stamps). Upon flying back into Miami, the U.S. will want to see the rabies certificate. A health certificate is not required. However, you will have one anyway… Read more »
Awesome thanks!! So I have to get the health certificate for the airlines? That paragraph is a little confusing as it states the certificate isn’t needed but the export paperwork aka certificate needs approval?
yes, you are correct. The Guatemala government requires the export paperwork.
Hey! Just wanted to give you an update! Our trip to Guatemala was smooth as ever! I flew with Avianca out of MIA to GUA, in MIA the airline counter reviewed my paperwork, and then I just went to board! When we arrived in GUA, we got our bags and went through Customs. Customs looked at the health certificate and gave me a stamp for 30 days (the length of my stay) and on we went! Simple and fast! Thank you for your help and input!! I’ll send another update when we get our certificate here in Guatemala to return… Read more »
Excellent news! Thank you so much for letting us know!
Looking forward to hearing about your experience leaving Guatemala with your dog.
=8-)
Hello,
Thanks for all your notes and details process on how to bring your pet from USA to Guatemala, I am traveling with my puppy this coming wednesday 03/09 and uploaded the rabies signed vaccine certificate with the updated form into VEHCS portal. However, I haven’t received an answer yet, any recommendation? what it will happen if I do not receive the health certificate endorsement?
Hola Jose! A USDA accredited veterinarian is the one who must perform a health check on your puppy and then she/he will access the VEHCS portal and provide the health information required by the Guatemala government (and airlines). https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-guatemala You need to find a USDA accredited veterinarian in your area who has access to the VEHCS portal. It’s easy for a USDA accredited veterinarian to register for this system if they have not done so already. To find a USDA accredited veterinarian in your area go here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/find-a-vet Once the vet does the health check and uploads the information into… Read more »
Thank you very much again for the detailed information. Our current vet Couldn’t make the certification but We were able to find certified Vet that help us out her in California. It was pricy: health check up, time to fill the application, doctor fee, upload file for a grand total of $460 however, we make it to Guatemala successfully Without major inconvenient. Currently, planning to return home with our puppy and wanted to ask for your help again. By looking into the CDC requirement and because we stay less than one month it looks we count with everything has a valid… Read more »
Hola Jose! THANK YOU so much for letting us know you made it to Guatemala in time for your flight with your dog and that it was a smooth process. =8-) Yes, you are going to need another health certificate to return. The airlines will require it. Remember the governments of each country have one set of rules for pets and the airlines have their own set of rules for pets. So, you need to comply with both the government and the airline. The good news is you probably won’t pay as much for the health certificate as you did… Read more »
Will Guatemala accept a 3-year Rabies? Also, what if you are only traveling through Guatemala on the way to Nicaragua. This will all be in by car and not plane.
Thanks,
Hola Scott! Yes, Guatemala accepts the 3-year rabies vaccine. As for driving through Guatemala, I don’t know. You will need to provide a health certificate and rabies certificate to enter Guatemala. Probably within a 15-day window of getting the health certificate. The question is what does Nicaragua require for entering with a dog/cat? My suggestion is to contact a veterinarian in Guatemala. They will know what the criteria is for entering Nicaragua and other neighboring countries with a pet. Here is the WhatsApp number of the veterinarian I use while in Xela Guatemala. Dr. Miguel de Leon Regil. +502.5533.7938. Hospital… Read more »
Hi Deborah, I plan to travel to Guatemala with my dog at the end of January, from Bolivia. I will remain in Guatemala for several years, for work, and my dog will live there with me. I really appreciate your detailed and updated information. However, as I am flying from Bolivia, I cannot get the USDA veterinarian to upload the health certificate, with an eAuthentication account, to the VEHCS portal. Do you have any recommendations for how to find information about taking a dog from Bolivia to Guatemala? The only airline that flies this route, that takes dogs in the… Read more »
Hola Amanda…Thank you for writing! Since you will be flying from Bolivia to Guatemala any procedures mentioned above will not work for you because you are not starting out in the US. Focus on what COPA airlines requires for a pet to travel on their airline and a bit more. Here are my recommendations: Health Certificate stamped and sealed, issued by a licensed veterinarian (although the website does not state how close to departure this health certificate needs to be done, I would make it 5 days or less) Current vaccination certificate, including an up-to-date rabies vaccine certificate Make sure… Read more »
Hi Deborah, Thanks so much for your timely response and great information.
Do you know if the Nexguard tablet, for internal and external parasites, is sufficient for air travel requirements? Or do I need to inject my dog with a preventive medication?
Thank you!
On all the airlines we traveled Nexguard was never questioned. Just as long as you have on the paperwork that your dog is taking some preventative medication that should be fine. =8-)
Hello! I’m driving from the US to Honduras. So the USDA won’t endorse the certificate and are saying they can’t with me driving through Mexico first. Any suggestions? Ty!
Hola Lara… thanks for the interesting question! Technically speaking, the USDA endorsement would work only if you are flying directly from the U.S. to Honduras. Since you are driving, you won’t need any forms from the U.S. because you will be entering Honduras via Guatemala, not the U.S. Here a few things to keep in mind: 1. No need for a health certificate for your pet if you are driving from the U.S. to Mexico. 2. You will need a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in Mexico before crossing the border into Guatemala. 3. You will need a health… Read more »
Hello,
Thanks for the instructions, they are really helpful. We are planning to travel to Guatemala In Oct 15 and return mid Nov but are nervous about the temporary suspension from CDC and didn’t understood it quite clearly.
If we bring our dog with us will we be able to bring our dog back to USA?
Our pet is a service dog, Can we get a permit to be able to travel with him and bring him back?
Thanks in advance for your help
Hola Andrea! I can understand the predicament you are in with trying to get your dog from Guatemala back into the United States while this temporary ban is in place. First… what type of “service dog” do you have? It is Emotional Support Service Dog (ESA) or a Service Dog that provides a specific function for you. For example: Search an area/room before the individual enters (for a person with PTSD). Assisting an individual during a seizure. Help individuals who are blind or have low vision. Help to pull a wheelchair. If you have a Service Dog (not an ESA),… Read more »
Thank you so much for this page. We will be traveling to Guatemala in Sept 2021 with my brothers dog (yorkie, Khole) that we have been watching all summer while his family made a permanent move there. I was very unclear (and anxious) about the process of getting her into the country and you have explained it so clearly here. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. A million thanks!
Gracias Bonnie for letting me know how helpful this information was for you. =8-)
That was my goal!
I appreciate the feedback very much.
Cuídate y buen viaje con Khole!
Hello. We noticed the temporary suspension for dogs coming to the US. Does this apply only to dogs that are being shipped for sale? If we bring our service dog to Guatemala for a short 7 day trip, will be able to bring her back to the US? Thank you for a reply
Hola Ingrid… I am sorry to say you will not be able to bring your dog back into the U.S. once it has been to Guatemala. =8-( It doesn’t matter that it is a service dog or for a short amount of time in Guatemala. The CDC is concerned about dogs coming back with the rabies disease because of the lack of rabies vaccines being given to dogs in certain countries over the last year. Maybe it is the lack of syringes which is how they administer the vaccine in pets. No one knows how long this temporary suspension will… Read more »