No, owning a raccoon in Costa Rica is prohibited under the Ley de Conservación de la Vida Silvestre No. 7317 and Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39800-MINAE, which classify raccoons (Procyon lotor) as invasive species. The Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) enforces these restrictions, aligning with the 2026 Plan Nacional de Manejo de Especies Invasoras. Unauthorized possession risks confiscation, fines up to ₡10 million ($18,000 USD), or criminal charges under Código Penal Artículo 380.
Key Regulations for Owning a Raccoon in Costa Rica
- Prohibited Species: Raccoons are listed in Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39800-MINAE (2023) as harmful to native ecosystems, barring private ownership.
- Permit Exceptions: Only research institutions or wildlife rehabilitation centers may hold raccoons under SINAC’s special permits, requiring proof of conservation necessity.
- Penalties: Violations trigger administrative sanctions via Ley de Vida Silvestre and potential wildlife trafficking charges under Código Penal.
Local municipalities, such as San José’s Municipalidad, may impose additional ordinances, though enforcement prioritizes SINAC’s national framework. Importing raccoons—even temporarily—requires Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) and MINAE approval, nearly impossible without invasive species justification. Travelers with raccoons face mandatory repatriation or euthanasia at border checkpoints under Ley de Control de Especies Invasoras.