Costa Rica is one of the world’s top medical device exporters — generating over $3.5 billion USD in annual exports (PROCOMER 2024) and hosting the manufacturing operations of 70+ global medical device companies. The sector is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s nearshore economy.
Why Costa Rica for Medical Devices
Three factors have made Costa Rica a global medical device manufacturing hub: (1) A 25,000+ person workforce trained specifically for med device manufacturing; (2) FDA-registered, ISO 13485-certified facilities across multiple industrial parks; (3) Free trade zone tax benefits that make CR significantly cheaper than US manufacturing.
Key Companies
Boston Scientific, Baxter International, Medtronic, Hologic, Establishment Labs, Cardinal Health, Allergan, Covidien, and Edwards Lifesciences all operate manufacturing facilities in Costa Rica — many of them their primary or sole global manufacturing site for specific product lines.
Export Performance
Medical devices are Costa Rica’s #1 export category by value. PROCOMER data shows consistent 8–12% annual growth over the past decade. The US is the primary destination (60%+ of exports), followed by the EU and Latin America.
The Coyol Free Zone
Coyol Free Zone in Alajuela is the undisputed center of CR’s med device cluster — home to the largest concentration of Class II and III medical device manufacturers in Latin America. Purpose-built clean rooms, controlled environment facilities, and specialized utilities are available within the park.