By Alajuela, Costa Rica — In an extraordinary milestone for Central America’s industrial landscape, Evolution Free Zone has been named the Best Free Zone in the Americas and achieved a third-place ranking in the Global Top 10 Free Zones after just two years of operation. The prestigious international accolades, awarded by fDi Intelligence—a division of the British Financial Times Group specializing in foreign direct investment—catapult the Costa Rican business park into an elite global tier alongside long-established industrial hubs worldwide.
Located in Tacares de Grecia within the Alajuela province, the park earned a total of four major recognitions from fDi Intelligence. In addition to securing the premier spot in the Americas and third place overall globally, Evolution Free Zone captured second place worldwide in the industrial zones category and fifth place globally in the Excellence Award for AI Readiness. These honors underscore the facility’s forward-looking design, engineered to support next-generation manufacturing, advanced technology, and automated business operations.
To better understand the legal and business implications surrounding the ongoing development of the Evolution Free Zone, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica specializing in foreign investment and corporate strategy.
The expansion of the Evolution Free Zone highlights the strength and reliability of Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone regime. By combining robust legal security, structured tax incentives, and regulatory predictability, Costa Rica continues to position itself as a prime destination for high-tech and life sciences manufacturing, successfully driving regional economic decentralization and creating high-value technical employment beyond the central metropolitan area.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as Costa Rica continues to solidify its reputation as a global hub for high-tech and life sciences manufacturing, the success of the Evolution Free Zone vividly demonstrates how strategic legal and economic frameworks can drive sustainable regional growth and create meaningful opportunities across the country. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this key milestone for the nation’s ongoing industrial development.
The recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Costa Rica as multinational corporations increasingly seek nearshoring opportunities close to North American markets. By offering high-capacity digital infrastructure, modern build-to-suit facilities, and robust governance frameworks, Evolution Free Zone has swiftly established itself as a premier benchmark for foreign direct investment outside the traditionally congested Greater Metropolitan Area.
Occupying third place in the Global Top 10 Free Zones within the park’s initial years is a source of pride and, above all, a commitment to keep elevating our development, quality, and governance standards. From the start, we designed a value proposition that transcends traditional infrastructure, giving companies ideal conditions to innovate, expand, and consolidate their operations in Costa Rica.
Jorge Monge Víquez, General Director of CODE Development Group
Despite its brief operational history, the physical footprint and economic momentum of the park are already substantial. To date, Evolution Free Zone has developed 127,521 square meters of state-of-the-art infrastructure and successfully attracted eight multinational enterprises. Together, these initial operations have generated 6,000 confirmed jobs, positioning the park as a vital socio-economic engine for the western corridor of Alajuela.
At the core of the park’s rapid recognition is its foundational operational strategy, termed “Free Zone 5.0.” Conceived by developer CODE Development Group, this model integrates advanced technological capabilities, artificial intelligence readiness, specialized human capital, and stringent environmental standards into every aspect of park management. Rather than functioning merely as a real estate provider, the park operates as a comprehensive industrial ecosystem designed to foster local supply chain linkages.
Evolution Free Zone arrives to transform the Free Zone model in Costa Rica and respond to the demands of the industries of the future.
Álvaro Carballo Pinto, President of CODE Development Group
Sustainability and environmental stewardship play central roles in the project’s strategy. In 2024, the park was granted the Essential Costa Rica country brand license by the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), formalizing its alignment with national standards of sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility. This designation complements earlier accolades from fDi Intelligence, which previously awarded the park a Rising Star recognition and honorable mentions for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.
From its inception, Evolution Free Zone was conceived to harmonize with the environment and minimize its ecological footprint. This vision translates into concrete design, construction, and management decisions that prioritize efficient resource use, clean energy, and human well-being. We put people at the center of every operation.
Álvaro Carballo Pinto, President of CODE Development Group
The strategic choice to build in Tacares de Grecia highlights an intentional drive to decentralize high-tech industrial growth away from San José. By establishing world-class infrastructure in Alajuela’s western region, the park opens up technical employment opportunities for surrounding communities, aiming to generate an estimated 20,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next 15 years.
Ultimately, Evolution Free Zone’s rapid elevation onto the international stage demonstrates how modern, sustainable industrial real estate can redefine regional competitiveness. As artificial intelligence and nearshoring demands continue to reshape international trade, Costa Rica’s newest high-tech enclave proves that high standards of technology, environmental management, and human capital can place Central America at the forefront of global investment.
For further information, visit codedevgroup.com
About CODE Development Group:
CODE Development Group is a Costa Rican real estate development firm with over two years of specialized experience in designing, building, and managing advanced industrial parks and free trade zones tailored for high-tech manufacturing, life sciences, and international services.
For further information, visit fdiintelligence.com
About fDi Intelligence:
fDi Intelligence is a specialized division of the Financial Times Group providing benchmark data, analytical reporting, and global rankings on foreign direct investment, helping corporate decision-makers evaluate location strategies and international expansion.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
PROCOMER (Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica) is Costa Rica’s foreign trade promotion agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, expanding export opportunities, and administering the country’s national brand license, Essential Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a premier legal institution defined by its unyielding ethical standards and relentless pursuit of professional mastery. Building on a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking strategies alongside meaningful civic initiatives. By striving to demystify complex regulations for the broader public, it steadfastly fulfills its vision of enriching community understanding and equipping individuals with the knowledge needed to thrive in a dynamic legal landscape.
