Destination city guides in Latin America (pet friendly edition)
From Mexico’s megacities to the Southern Cone’s café-lined boulevards, Latin America offers city breaks that work beautifully with four-legged travel companions—so long as you match each destination’s rules with your routine and choose hotel pet friendly stays near parks, promenades, and early-morning coffee.
Entry at a glance (no drama, just documents)
Mexico is the easy door into the region: since December 16, 2019, dogs and cats arriving from abroad no longer need a veterinary health certificate; they receive a quick SENASICA inspection on arrival and you continue your trip. Simple, but still plan for a clean carrier and up-to-date vaccines. Aphis
Brazil requires an International Veterinary Certificate (IVC/Pet Passport) issued or endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the country of origin; private-vet signatures alone aren’t accepted. Serviços e Informações do Brasil
Argentina asks for a CVI/IVC that’s typically valid 60 days from issuance, together with valid rabies vaccination at the moment of entry. argentina.gob.ar
Colombia processes pets on arrival via the Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS)—print the application and proof of payment before you fly, then present them at the airport inspection. ica.gov.co
Chile requires an Animal Health Import Certificate (CZI/Zoosanitary certificate) issued by the competent authority in your departure country, following Chilean rules on vaccinations and health checks. gob.cl
City rhythm: metros, buses and easy cross-town days
Mexico City keeps it clear: pets may enter the Metro only in suitable carriers; if you bring a dog without a carrier, you can be turned away. That rule keeps transfers predictable when you’re hotel-hopping across town. Metro CDMX
Buenos Aires allows one small dog or cat in a closed, ventilated carrier on the Subte (underground), with time windows published by the city—great for weekend moves between Palermo’s parks and the center. argentina.gob.ar
São Paulo welcomes pets on the Metrô outside peak hours; animals must be in clean carriers and weigh up to 10 kg—a practical setup for museum days around Paulista or Ibirapuera. metro.sp.gov.br
Santiago permits pets on the Metro in fully closed baskets/containers (size-limited), a straightforward rule that makes neighborhood-to-neighborhood rides stress-free. camara.cl
Bogotá allows pets on TransMilenio with clear etiquette: small animals in carriers; larger dogs leashed (and muzzled where required); keep vaccination records handy. It’s a workable system for park-to-café days across the plateau. transmilenio.gov.co
Nature breaks: where leashes don’t go
City parks are fantastic throughout Latin America, but many national parks and protected areas prohibit pets outright to protect native wildlife. Expect a firm “no mascotas” in Argentina’s national parks, across Chile’s protected areas managed by CONAF, and in Mexico’s federal protected areas; Costa Rica’s flagship parks carry the same rule. Build your hikes around urban greenbelts, dog runs, riverwalks and signed off-leash zones instead. argentina.gob.arconaf.cldescubreanp.conanp.gob.mxVisit Costa Rica
Booking smarter (so “pets welcome” really means welcome)
The difference between “allowed” and hotel pet friendly comes down to plain-English details. Look for fee type (per night vs per stay), size and number limits, whether pets can be left unattended in-room, and access to restaurants, lounges and rooftops. Then map a 10-minute walk to green space—think big urban parks, riverfront paths, or signed dog areas—so late-night and early-morning breaks are easy. In cities with transit rules that favor carriers or off-peak travel, pick a base close to your main line to keep days smooth.
Trip-ready take
Latin America rewards pet-savvy planning: straightforward border paperwork, carrier-friendly metros in major hubs, and neighborhoods where parks, cafés and culture sit side by side. Choose a hotel pet friendly address near a leafy square or waterfront, pack a robust carrier and a short leash, and let the continent’s city energy do the rest—tail wags included.
