Bringing Sparky with you on your Cancun vacation can be a great experience and can add a lot of fun to your time in Cancun, but there are a few things that you should know before trying to board the plane with your pet! So here are a few tips and pointers that can help make the whole process go smoothly and get you and your pet to Cancun faster!

Each country has certain regulations regarding pet health. For Cancun, Mexico, you will need an International Health Certification and a complete vaccination record. The International Health Certification must be issued no more than 72 hours before travel and the vaccination record must include rabies, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis. All must be more than thirty days old but less than twelve months old. This is to ensure that no animals being brought into Cancun are carrying any diseases that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

To bring your pet home after your Cancun vacation is the same as if you were bringing them into the United States for the first time. But these regulations may vary due to season and places that you have visited other than Cancun, so please check with your local veterinarian for complete details about your return trip from Cancun.

Once you have all of the health issues settled, its time to check with the airline. Airline rules and regulations change from airline to airline, so be sure to ask your specific provider. Most airlines however, have restrictions on the size of the carrier that your pet will be confined to and may require that certain pets be allowed as checked. Pets that are checked also have additional regulations. No pets may be checked if the temperature is lower than 45 degrees in any place that the plane will touch ground. No pets may be checked to any flight in which the landing temperature is higher than 85 degree.

You also need to check with the hotel that you will be staying at in Cancun. Many hotels have requirements and restrictions for the size and breed of animal that you may have in your room with you.

Also, make sure that you call ahead to the immigration office in Cancun International Airport. Permit fees and additional taxes may apply for the type or breed of pet that you are bringing to Cancun, but these can change without notice so be sure to call no more than three days prior to travel.

Bringing your pet with you to Cancun may sound like a lot of work, but it is always worth it! Once the legalities are taken care of, Cancun is a very dog and pet friendly city and there are lots of activities for pets and pet owners alike!