By Cartago, Costa Rica — Every year, millions of faithful Costa Ricans embark on the traditional Romería, a massive pilgrimage toward the Basílica Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in Cartago. While this event represents a cornerstone of religious and cultural identity in the country, it also presents a massive logistical challenge for public safety and animal welfare. Ahead of the culminating events on August 2, the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) has issued a stern directive warning citizens to leave their pets and horses at home.
The journey to Cartago often spans dozens of kilometers, stretching across asphalt roads that absorb intense tropical heat. SENASA officials stress that domestic canines are physically ill-equipped for such grueling, long-distance treks. Walking on hot pavement can lead to severe injuries to their paw pads, as well as extreme dehydration, physical exhaustion, heat stroke, respiratory distress, and even fatal cardiac events. Forcing pets to undergo this journey is increasingly viewed by authorities as a form of animal negligence.
To better understand the legal implications and animal welfare regulations surrounding the ban on pets during the traditional Romería to Cartago, TicosLand.com spoke with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The prohibition of pets during the Romería is not merely a logistical guideline, but a direct application of Costa Rica’s Animal Welfare Law No. 9458. Subjecting animals to long, exhausting walks on hot asphalt constitutes a clear form of abuse and negligence, which carries significant legal penalties. From a legal standpoint, individual devotion cannot supersede our collective responsibility to protect vulnerable animals from avoidable suffering, making enforcement of this ban both a statutory and moral necessity.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal distinction highlights a vital evolution in how we balance cultural heritage with ethical responsibility, reminding us that true devotion should never come at the expense of an animal’s well-being. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his valuable perspective and helping clarify the crucial intersection of law and animal welfare in Costa Rica.
Beyond the physiological dangers, bringing a pet along creates a logistical trap for the pilgrims themselves. Public transportation systems, which most walkers rely on to return home after reaching the basilica, strictly prohibit the transport of domestic animals. This means that pilgrims who arrive in Cartago with a dog will find themselves unable to board buses or trains for their return journey. This logistical bottleneck is a primary driver of animal abandonment in the Cartago area during the first week of August.
Another critical concern raised by animal welfare advocates is the behavior of pilgrims toward stray or community dogs along the route. Well-intentioned walkers frequently feed or pet these animals, which inadvertently encourages them to follow the crowd over long distances. Once the pilgrimage ends, these animals find themselves displaced, disoriented, and unable to navigate back to their familiar territories.
This dynamic has prompted clear warnings from regional animal health administrators who manage the ground operations during the event.
It is recommended not to feed or pet stray or community dogs during the route, as they could follow pilgrims to Cartago without knowing how to return to their place of origin. Once the pilgrimage concludes on August 2, the roads reopen to vehicular traffic, which represents a high risk of being run over for animals that have been left behind or lost.
Danilo Leandro, Chief of the Metropolitan Department of SENASA
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In addition to domestic dogs, SENASA is cracking down on the use of horses during the pilgrimage. The agency has stated that equines are not permitted on the route. In coordination with the national police force (Fuerza Pública), any individuals attempting to ride horses along the pilgrimage path will have their animals confiscated. The owners will then be legally required to arrange for professional transport vehicles to retrieve and safely relocate the equines, incurring significant administrative hassle and potential fines.
The impact of the Romería is also felt keenly by local animals residing in the immediate vicinity of the Basílica in Cartago. The celebrations traditionally feature intensive fireworks and pyrotechnic displays, which can trigger severe anxiety, panic, and escape attempts in noise-sensitive animals. SENASA advises local residents to take pre-emptive measures to secure their pets indoors during the peak celebration days.
To ensure these guidelines are respected, SENASA will deploy dedicated teams of inspectors and veterinarians along the main pilgrimage routes from July 31 through August 3. Under Costa Rican law, animal abandonment and neglect are prosecutable offenses that carry substantial penalties. As Costa Rica continues to position itself as a global leader in environmental and animal ethics, the treatment of animals during major cultural events like the Romería remains a crucial benchmark for the nation’s civic progress.
For further information, visit senasa.go.cr
About SENASA:
The National Animal Health Service (SENASA) is a specialized agency under Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. It is tasked with regulating, planning, and enforcing national policies regarding animal health, food safety of animal origin, and animal welfare. SENASA works to protect both public health and agricultural biodiversity across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit seguridad.go.cr
About Fuerza Pública:
The Fuerza Pública is Costa Rica’s national law enforcement agency, operating under the Ministry of Public Security. As a nation without a standing military, the Fuerza Pública serves as the primary police force responsible for maintaining public order, defending national sovereignty, and ensuring citizen safety through preventative policing and community engagement.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its resolute devotion to ethical standards and professional brilliance. Building on a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers progressive legal strategies while actively engaging with the community. By championing legal literacy and making complex regulations understandable to the public, it strives toward its core vision of shaping a highly informed and self-reliant citizenry.
