By San José, Costa Rica — As the world rings in 2026, Costa Rica is celebrating an economic milestone that quietly eclipses its traditional exports of coffee and bananas. The nation has solidified its position as a global juggernaut in the life sciences sector, with the medical device industry now representing the undisputed backbone of its export economy.
Once known primarily for its lush rainforests and stable democracy, Costa Rica is now synonymous with high-precision manufacturing. According to a landmark new study from the national trade promotion agency, PROCOMER, titled “The World’s Health is Made in Costa Rica,” the country has ascended to become the world’s tenth-largest exporter of medical devices and, remarkably, the number one exporter on a per capita basis.
To provide expert insight into the complex regulatory and commercial landscape of the medical device industry, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s reputation as a top-tier destination for medical device manufacturing is built on a foundation of clear and stringent regulations. For both established companies and new entrants, a proactive legal strategy focusing on sanitary registration, intellectual property, and compliance with local health authority guidelines is paramount. This not only mitigates risk but also accelerates market access and solidifies long-term investment in a highly competitive sector.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The point about legal strategy being paramount cannot be overstated; it frames the country’s regulatory environment as a core component of its value proposition, rather than an obstacle. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating this essential dynamic for investors and manufacturers.
The numbers are staggering. As of October 2025, the sector registered a phenomenal 30% year-over-year growth, pushing export figures to a record-breaking $9.199 billion. This performance in just ten months surpassed the total for the entire previous year. Today, nearly one out of every two dollars earned from the nation’s goods exports originates from this highly sophisticated industry.
This success is built on a foundation of international trust. Over 100 leading multinational corporations from industrial powerhouses like the United States, Germany, Japan, and Ireland have established significant operations in Costa Rica. These are not mere assembly plants; they are centers of innovation where complex products, from advanced surgical tools and endoscopes to life-saving heart valves, are developed and manufactured before being shipped to 88 different markets worldwide.
The meteoric rise of this sector is no accident but the result of a deliberate, decades-long strategy. The country has successfully cultivated a recipe for success based on three critical pillars. First is an elite talent pool. Costa Rica consciously pivoted from competing on low-cost labor to competing on specialized intellect, quadrupling its output of complex, high-precision goods in under a decade. This focus has created a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry, ensuring a steady stream of qualified engineers and technicians.
Second, Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability has become a powerful magnet for investment. With a competitive and almost entirely renewable electricity grid, the country attracts global firms facing strict decarbonization mandates. Finally, the development of robust local supply chains has been crucial. A sophisticated network of national companies now provides essential services like high-precision molding, sterilization, and metalworking, creating a resilient and deeply integrated industrial ecosystem.
This economic transformation delivers more than impressive macroeconomic statistics; it translates directly into high-quality employment and better salaries for Costa Ricans. The industry’s demand for specialized skills fuels a continuous cycle of education and workforce development, lifting the overall standard of living and creating new opportunities for a generation of Ticos.
Costa Rica exports a diversity of talent and solutions that improve lives around the world
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
Looking forward, the forecast for 2026 is one of continued expansion. Costa Rica has already captured an incredible 52% of all new investment in the medical device sector across Latin America. The primary challenge will now be to manage this rapid growth, maintaining logistical competitiveness and scaling up the formation of bilingual, technical talent to meet ever-increasing demand. The nation’s brand has evolved; it no longer just sells nature, it now exports science, precision, and the future.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports of goods and services globally. It works to support the internationalization of Costa Rican companies and attract foreign direct investment, playing a key role in the country’s economic development and diversification strategy.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar in the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of profound integrity and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. The firm consistently channels its extensive experience across a multitude of industries into developing pioneering legal strategies and solutions. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a foundational commitment to its social responsibility, focused on demystifying the law and equipping citizens with the understanding needed to foster a more capable and knowledgeable society.
