Best Destinations in Central America for Families Relocating with Pets
If you’re considering moving abroad with your family and pets, you’ll want to ensure that you choose the perfect destination and there are many extra considerations you’ll have to take into account. If you have lots of pets, you’ll need to consider vet accessibility and prices, apartment/house and garden sizes plus import and export regulations.
To help you make an informed decision we have compiled a list of some of the best Latin American destinations that are great for families with pets.
Costa Rica
This Central American country is up there as one of the best destinations for expats but it’s also a very dog-friendly country and should definitely be a destination you consider.
There are lots of qualified and low-cost vets around the country and you can also get speciality dog foods that are nutritious and good for your pooch.
In addition to that, there are many different housing options in Costa Rica, including homes with large fenced gardens.
The process of taking your pets into the country is also easy and hassle-free. There’s no quarantine period and the paperwork isn’t too tedious. You just need to ensure that your pet gets the all-clear from your vet at least 2 weeks before you travel. They must be up to date on all their vaccinations and your vet will need to provide you with a health certificate to prove that your pet is healthy and ready to travel.
Belize
Another Central American country on the list, Belize is a dog and cat-friendly country. Beach towns on the mainland have beautiful homes with gardens and are less expensive than other areas of the country. Equally, Corozal, Punta Gorda and San Ignacio also offer houses with gardens at reasonable prices.
The country also offers an abundance of beaches, which allow pets to wander and relax.
Similarly to Costa Rica, there are no quarantine requirements in Belize, however, you must have a valid import permit from the BAHA.
Panama
Panama City isn’t just skyscrapers, you can find houses in many of the districts of the city especially Acon. Here almost 80% of families have dogs and therefore the area is an extremely pet-friendly environment.
Pet owners are also a lot more careless in Panama than in Western Europe or the US, not everyone picks up after their dog and some households have dogs which aren’t perfectly trained but this isn’t viewed as a problem by locals in the country.
Panama has excellent availability of vets and pet foods so you can be sure that your furry friend will be well looked after.
When it comes to Panama Immigration Requirements for Pets, the country operates on an “in house quarantine” system. They will allow you to leave the airport with your pet just if you keep your pet indoors for 40 days.
So, if you’re tempted to move to Central America with your pets these three countries should be at the top of your list.
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