INVESTING OUTSIDE THE GREATER METROPOLITAN AREA (GAM)

Located in southeastern Costa Rica, the Brunca Region is connected through the Inter-American Highway, linking the Greater Metropolitan Area with the Panamanian border. This strategic location strengthens logistics and trade integration with the neighboring country, fostering cross-border economic activity.

The region offers significant development potential thanks to its favorable geography, climate, and abundant water resources. It has a strong agro-industrial tradition, specializing in products such as coffee, pineapple, and oil palm. Brunca is also home to extensive protected areas that preserve a substantial share of Costa Rica’s natural heritage, including ecosystems of exceptional scientific value that harbor nearly 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. This positions the region as a key destination for scientific research and sustainable tourism.

Province: Southern Puntarenas / Southern San José

A region with a strong agro-industrial tradition and direct strategic connectivity to Panama.

Key sectors:

• Agribusiness
• Tourism Infrastructure

Key facts:

• Home to nearly 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and strategically connected to Panama via the Inter-American Highway.

Located primarily in the province of Limón, Costa Rica’s Caribbean Region combines rich cultural heritage, a growing productive ecosystem, and significant tourism potential. It is home to the country’s main port, through which nearly 80% of Costa Rica’s exports are shipped to international markets, primarily North America and Europe.

The region has a strong focus on agribusiness, logistics, sustainable tourism, and light manufacturing. It is also home to Búfalo Free Trade Zone, located near the Port of Moín, which offers excellent conditions for new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects.

Province: Limón

Costa Rica’s main export corridor, with a growing productive ecosystem and outstanding tourism potential.

Key sectors:

• Logistics
• Agribusiness
• Tourism Infrastructure
• Light Manufacturing

Key facts:

• Nearly 80% of Costa Rica’s exports to North America and Europe are shipped through the region’s port facilities.

Free Trade Zone Parks:

• Filisa Industrial Park – Búfalo, Limón

Located in the province of Puntarenas, just 60 minutes from the Greater Metropolitan Area, the Central Pacific Region offers easy access through Route 27 and is home to Costa Rica’s second most important port. It serves as a key logistics hub connecting Asia and the Americas.

The region hosts companies that benefit from the port’s proximity to establish logistics, light manufacturing, and food industry operations. Tourism infrastructure is another major economic driver, as the region is home to two of Costa Rica’s most visited national parks, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, renowned for their beaches, mountains, and biodiversity.

The region is also home to Puntarenas Free Trade Zone and La Ceiba Business Park, both offering excellent conditions for new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects.

Province: Puntarenas

A logistics hub connecting Asia and the Americas, just 60 minutes from the Greater Metropolitan Area.

Key sectors:

• Logistics
• Light Manufacturing
• Agribusiness
• Tourism Infrastructure

Key facts:

• Home to Costa Rica’s second most important port, providing direct access to Asian and American markets through Route 27.

Free Trade Zone Parks:

• Puntarenas Free Trade Zone – Puntarenas
• La Ceiba Business Park – Puntarenas

Located in the province of Guanacaste, it is a tourist destination renowned for its natural beauty and world-class tourism infrastructure. It is the main gateway to Central America through the northern border. It is home to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, the second largest in the country. It receives flights from the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, England, Switzerland, and Panama, offering extensive international connections. Guanacaste is a leader in renewable energy, generating around 40% of the country’s electricity. Guanacaste is the only province that generates energy from all five renewable sources.

The region is home to the Solarium free trade zone park in Liberia and El Viejo Free Trade Zone in Carrillo, which offer optimal conditions for locating new Foreign Direct Investment projects.

Province: Guanacaste

World-class tourist destination and a leader in renewable energy in Central America.

Key sectors:

• Tourism infrastructure
• Agribusiness
  
• Light Manufacturing
• Special Projects

Key facts:

• Generates 40% of the country’s electricity and is the only province in the country with five active renewable energy sources.
• Home to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, the second largest in the country.

Free Trade Zone Parks:

• Solarium – Liberia
• El Viejo Free Trade Zone – Carrillo

Located in northern Costa Rica, the Huetar Norte Region stretches from the Northern Plains to the Nicaraguan border, making it a strategic territory for productive development and regional market connectivity. Its proximity to the Caribbean Region and the country’s main port enhances its logistics capabilities and export potential.

The region stands out for its large-scale agricultural and agro-industrial productivity, supported by abundant water resources and favorable natural conditions. At the same time, it has experienced sustained growth in its technology cluster, boosting the local economy and positioning the region as an emerging destination for investment in technology services and digital solutions.

Its rich biodiversity and natural attractions also support a well-established tourism industry, offering everything from adventure tourism to high-value travel experiences.

The region is home to Muelle Free Trade Zone and Norte Free Zone, both offering excellent conditions for new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects.

Province: Northern Alajuela / Northern Heredia

A strategic territory with high agro-industrial productivity and an expanding technology cluster.

Key sectors:

• Agribusiness
• Technology & Digital Services
• Tourism Infrastructure
• Light Manufacturing

Key facts:

• A growing technology cluster positions the region as an emerging destination for investment in technology services and digital solutions.
• Strategic location for productive development, logistics integration, and export operations.

Free Trade Zone Parks:

• Muelle Free Trade Zone – Muelle, San Carlos
• Norte Free Zone – Ciudad Quesada

Located in the western part of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, the Western Region is just 30 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport and one hour from the Central Pacific coast.

The region offers ideal conditions for investment in highly specialized industries, including medical device manufacturing and electronic components production. At the same time, its rich natural environment supports sustainable tourism development, complementing its productive profile. Strong collaboration among local governments has also strengthened investment attraction efforts and the development of productive linkages across the region.

The region is home to Parque Activa Industrial, Activa Med & Tech Free Zone, Costa Rica Green Valley, Evolution Free Zone, and El Canal, all offering excellent conditions for new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects.

Province: Western Central Valley (Alajuela)

The region with the highest concentration of Free Trade Zones outside the Greater Metropolitan Area.

Key sectors:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Life Sciences
• Tourism Infrastructure
• Light Manufacturing
• Special Projects

Key facts:

• Strong collaboration among local governments promotes investment attraction and strengthens regional productive linkages.

Free Trade Zone Parks:

• Parque Activa Industrial – Alajuela
• Activa Med & Tech Free Zone – Alajuela
• Costa Rica Green Valley – Alajuela
• Evolution Free Zone – Alajuela
• El Canal – Alajuela