✈️ TL;DR: Dog Travel To Puerto Vallarta Mexico
The short answer: Yes, you can still travel with pets as a result of the screwworm outbreak June 2026, but U.S. entry rules have changed.
🛫 Entering PV (Normal)
The brief June 7 USDA export ban was immediately reversed. You can fly into Puerto Vallarta with your dog using standard procedures. No vet health certificate is required—just a routine visual check at PVR airport arrivals.
🛬 Returning to the U.S. (New Rules)
Because Mexico is a screwworm region, you MUST get a physical Screwworm Freedom Certificate from an authorized vet within 5 days of your flight back to the U.S. Digital copies are not allowed; you must hold the paper copy at customs.
👉 The Catch: The official Mexican government directory currently lists only one authorized vet in Puerto Vallarta and one in Sayulita to sign this paperwork. Keep scrolling below to see our verified local directory, map out your 5-day window, and beat the local booking bottleneck!
The actions caused by the New World screwworm outbreak affected every expat and traveler to Mexico with pets. On June 7, 2026, the USDA banned pet dogs from traveling to Mexico after confirming an outbreak of screwworm cases in the United States. On June 10, 2026, the USDA updated its guidelines and removed pet dogs from the banned list. They announced pet dog travel into Mexico can proceed exactly as it did before. Not exactly. Here is everything you need to know about traveling with your dog as a result of the screwworm outbreak June 2026.
For everything expats need to know, check our resource living in Puerto Vallarta with pets.
Entering Puerto Vallarta: Animal Import Rules at the PVR Airport
Here is the best news for travelers: despite the brief panic on June 7, the guidelines for flying into Puerto Vallarta from the United States or Canada have completely returned to normal. You do not need a USDA-endorsed international health certificate or a private vet health certificate to enter Mexico.
Instead, your arrival process is streamlined into a quick, free physical check right at the airport. However, you must know exactly where to go and follow strict luggage rules to avoid a customs nightmare.
📍 Finding the SENASICA / OISA Office at PVR
When you touch down at the Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), you will exit the plane, pass through immigrations, and collect your luggage. Do not walk past the final customs baggage claim tables.
The OISA (SENASICA) Animal Health Inspection Module is physically located right inside the International Arrivals area, sitting immediately alongside the baggage claim scanning stations. This office operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to accommodate late flights. You must present your dog here before exiting to the public airport lobby.
The on-duty officer will perform a brief inspection to ensure your dog is free of infectious diseases, ticks, and fleas. (Note: If ticks are found, you will be required to hire a local vet to treat the dog at the airport before they will release them).
⚠️ The Strict “Empty Crate” Customs Trap
While the paperwork is easy, Mexican customs is incredibly rigid about what physical items enter the country inside your pet’s carrier to prevent foreign pests from crossing the border:
- The Crate Must Be Empty: Your dog’s carrier must be completely bare. No dog beds, blankets, towels, toys, treats, or pee pads are allowed. If you leave these in the crate or pack them in your luggage, customs will confiscate and incinerate them on the spot. Your pet may only wear their collar and leash.
- The Food Limit: You are strictly forbidden from bringing large bags of dog food. You are only allowed a single, loose, unsealed portion of dry kibble sufficient for the day of arrival. Plan to visit a local PV grocery store or pet shop to buy their food once you get settled.
Once your dog passes the visual inspection, the officer will hand you a free Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI), and you are officially cleared to enjoy PV!
The Real Catch-22: The Broken Government List & The Banderas Bay Bottleneck
While mainstream international news outlets are telling travelers to “just look at the official Mexican government directory online” to find a vet for their mandatory 5-day return trip certificate, mainstream media is missing a massive story. The official government website list is deeply flawed and severely lacking data.
If you download the official SENASICA MVRA Directory PDF (Issued June 5, 2026), you will quickly discover a logistical nightmare for expats:
- Missing Addresses & Clinic Names: The government database only lists the legal name of the individual veterinarian who passed the screwworm diagnostic course. It completely omits the physical street address, neighborhood, and the actual commercial name of the vet clinic.
- Outdated & Disconnected Contacts: Many of the listed numbers are outdated office lines or personal cells that are no longer active, leaving stranded travelers guessing.
- Severe Regional Shortages: Most shockingly, for an expat and tourist hub of thousands of pets, the official list reveals that there is only ONE authorized vet listed for the entire city of Puerto Vallarta, and only one for the immediate north bay area (Sayulita).
Because you cannot just show up to any clinic, we have tracked down the missing data, verified the locations, and bridged the gap. Use our corrected, mobile-friendly directory below to lock in your mandatory 5-day pre-flight return inspection early:
The Return Trip: Mandatory USDA Screwworm Certificate Rules for U.S. Entry
Mexico remains a screwworm-affected country and the new guidelines state:
The certificate you need to Cross the US Border With Your Dog Official APHIS Requirement
Your dog may enter the United States only if it is accompanied by a certificate signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official (official government veterinarian) of the region of origin stating that the dog:
- Has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days before shipment to the United States, and
- Is either free from screwworm, or
- Was infested with screwworm, held in quarantine, and treated until free from screwworm before leaving the region.
🚨Where to Get a USDA Screwworm Certificate in Puerto Vallarta & Sayulita
As of June 5, 2026, there are currently only two certified options in our entire region:
| Location | Clinic & Vet Name | Contact Info (Click to Connect) |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco | Bench Vet PV Dr. Carlos Arturo Martínez Jiménez | 📞 Phone: 322-105-4803 ✉️ Email: [email protected] 📍 Call to verify current clinic address. |
| Sayulita, Nayarit | Veterinaria Sayulita José Guadalupe Gomez Avelar | 📞 Phone: 322-139-1392 ✉️ Email: [email protected] 📍 Call to verify current clinic address. |
Reference Link: You can verify this data directly on the official Mexican Government website by downloading the SENASICA MVRA Directory PDF (Issued June 5, 2026).
✈️ Step-by-Step: How to Use Your Screwworm Certificate on Travel Day
Once your authorized vet hands you the paperwork, your job isn’t done. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is incredibly strict about how this document is presented. Follow these rules to avoid delays:
- Print & Carry the Original: Digital copies, PDFs on your phone, or photos of the certificate will not be accepted. You must present the physical, original paper document with the vet’s ink signature/stamp.
- Keep it with your Passport: Do not pack the certificate in your checked luggage! Keep it in your personal carry-on bag alongside your passport and your online CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
- The Customs Inspection: When you land at your U.S. destination airport or reach the border crossing, a CBP Agriculture Specialist will physically review the certificate, verify the 5-day timeline, and visually inspect your dog’s fur for any signs of wounds or parasites.
Note: Unlike some international pet health forms, this certificate does NOT need to be mailed to or endorsed by a USDA office. The signature of the authorized Mexican MVRA vet is all U.S. Customs needs to see.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Dog Travel and Screwworm June 2026
1. What if my dog is a certified service animal or emotional support pet?
The USDA screwworm inspection rule applies to ALL dogs entering the United States from Mexico, regardless of status. Service dogs and emotional support animals are not exempt from the mandatory 5-day physical inspection or the hard-copy certificate requirement.
2. Do I need a screwworm certificate if I am driving across the border instead of flying?
Yes. The screwworm certification rule is tied to the country of origin (Mexico), not your method of transportation. Whether you fly out of PVR airport or drive across the land border at Tijuana, Laredo, or Nogales, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists will require the physical paper form.
3. How much does the screwworm certificate cost at the vet in PV?
Because the inspection must be done by a private, authorized clinical vet (MVRA) rather than a government office, pricing is set by the individual clinic. Expect to pay a standard consultation fee plus a small documentation fee, typically ranging between $40 to $80 USD ($700 to $1,400 MXN).
4. What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss my 5-day window?
The USDA and CBP enforce the 5-day timeline strictly. If an airline delay pushes your entry past the 5-day mark, your certificate becomes legally invalid. You will need to leave the airport structure or border area, book an emergency appointment with an authorized local vet, and have a brand-new certificate issued before you can board or cross.
5. Does my dog still need the online CDC Dog Import Form?
Yes! Do not confuse the USDA screwworm check with the CDC rules. Every single dog entering the U.S. must have a completed CDC Dog Import Form receipt. You must fill this out online for free before travel. Fortunately, because Mexico is classified as a low-risk country for canine rabies, you only need the basic form receipt alongside your microchip and screwworm certificate.
6. What if my trip to Puerto Vallarta is less than 5 days total?
If you are doing a quick weekend getaway to PV (under 5 days), you cannot use a U.S. vet certificate to get back home. Because the regulation specifically targets the region of origin where the dog is physically leaving, the screwworm inspection must be performed by a certified vet inside Mexico before re-entering the United States. Even for a 3-day trip, you must book an appointment with a local MVRA vet in PV before heading to the airport.
7. Does this new screwworm rule apply to cats traveling to the U.S.?
No. The current emergency USDA APHIS restriction specifically targets dogs. If you are flying back to the United States from PVR with a pet cat, they are exempt from the mandatory screwworm inspection certificate. However, cats are still subject to standard visual health screening by CBP officers at the U.S. border.
8. What if my 5-day window falls on a weekend or Mexican holiday?
This is the biggest threat to your travel timeline. Because there are only two certified vets in the entire Banderas Bay region, their clinics may be closed on Sundays or major Mexican holidays. If your flight is on a Tuesday, your 5-day window opens on Thursday. Do not wait. Book your appointment for the earliest weekday possible within that 5-day bracket, as local emergency clinics cannot sign this form unless they have an active MVRA certification on file.
Author: Tim Wilson
Wilson is the founder of GAYPV.com and www.gaybartour.com and has been the leading LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle authority in Puerto Vallarta since 2005. With over two decades of local expertise, Wilson specializes in being a community advocate and leader for Puerto Vallarta , and local cultural insights that only a long-term resident can provide. He has dedicated 20+ years to advocating for safe, inclusive travel in Banderas Bay, establishing GAYPV as the region's most trusted resident insider.. His work has been cited by major travel publications, and he is widely recognized as a trusted insider voice on Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
