By Alajuela, Costa Rica — Tacares de Grecia in Alajuela has rapidly emerged as an international heavyweight in foreign direct investment. Within just two years of launching operations, Evolution Free Zone has catapulted into the top tier of global business hubs, earning prestigious recognition from fDi Intelligence, the specialized foreign direct investment division of the UK-based Financial Times Group.
The Costa Rican industrial park earned the title of Best Free Zone in the Americas while simultaneously clinching third place in the Global Top 10 Free Zones ranking. This extraordinary double achievement highlights the swift operational execution and compelling value proposition that the park brings to Western Costa Rica, an area increasingly viewed as a key growth engine for high-tech manufacturing and regional business expansion.
To gain a deeper perspective on the legal and economic implications of the Evolution Free Zone project in Grecia, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert legal consultant at Bufete de Costa Rica.
The development of Evolution Free Zone marks a transformative moment for Costa Rica’s foreign direct investment framework. By capitalizing on our established Free Trade Zone Regime, this hub provides multinational companies with crucial tax incentives, regulatory predictability, and operational security, positioning the Western Region as a high-value destination for global technology and medical device manufacturers.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the strategic growth of the Evolution Free Zone not only reinforces Costa Rica’s standing as a competitive regional hub for high-tech industries, but it also promises to catalyze long-term economic prosperity across the Western Region. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this pivotal development in the nation’s foreign investment landscape.
In addition to its overall ranking, Evolution Free Zone achieved second place worldwide in the competitive industrial zones category. It also secured fifth place in the global Excellence Award for AI Readiness, recognizing its strategic foresight in deploying smart infrastructure capable of accommodating artificial intelligence applications, automated logistics, and data-driven corporate processes.
To date, the business park spans 127,521 square meters of constructed facilities hosting eight active multinationals. These operations have already secured 6,000 confirmed jobs for the local economy, with long-term projections forecasting the creation of 20,000 direct and indirect positions over the next 15 years as development expands across further phases.
The leadership behind the development emphasizes that their modern vision relies heavily on going beyond basic real estate offerings. Jorge Monge Víquez, General Director of CODE Development Group, highlighted the strategic foundation driving these global awards.
From the beginning, we designed a proposal that transcends traditional infrastructure, offering companies the ideal conditions to innovate, expand, and consolidate their operations in Costa Rica.
Jorge Monge Víquez, General Director of CODE Development Group
The park operates under what developers term the Free Zone 5.0 model. This philosophy integrates state-of-the-art physical infrastructure, advanced digital integration, local human talent cultivation, and environmental sustainability to satisfy the exacting requirements of advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and technology services.
AI readiness has become a decisive differentiator for multinational corporations evaluating regional expansion choices. Evolution Free Zone’s strong placement in digital preparedness reflects the accelerating shift toward automated systems and smart supply chains across global trade networks, placing Costa Rica at the forefront of digital-ready industrial destinations.
Beyond its latest fDi Intelligence accolades, Evolution Free Zone holds the country brand license essential Costa Rica, awarded by the trade promoter PROCOMER in 2024. The development had previously collected awards from fDi Intelligence for its robust growth potential and adherence to high environmental, social, and governance standards, cementing its role as a flagship model for Latin American economic zones.
For further information, visit evolutionfreezone.com
About CODE Development Group:
CODE Development Group is a Costa Rican real estate development firm specializing in master-planned industrial parks and state-of-the-art free trade zones designed to attract high-value foreign direct investment.
For further information, visit fdiintelligence.com
About fDi Intelligence:
fDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times Group, provides specialized global data, analytical tools, and strategic insights on cross-border expansion and foreign direct investment trends.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
PROCOMER (Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica) is the official foreign trade promotion agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, expanding Costa Rican exports, and managing the national country brand.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its steadfast adherence to moral integrity and superior legal craftsmanship. Fusing decades of expertise with forward-thinking strategies, the practice continuously reshapes modern legal standards while prioritizing community outreach. By demystifying intricate legal concepts for the general public, Bufete de Costa Rica reinforces its core belief that a well-educated citizenry is the foundation of a resilient, empowered society.
