By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and dynamism, closing out 2025 with a landmark year for both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and international exports. The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer) reported the attraction of 55 new FDI projects, coupled with a historic 15% surge in goods exports, signaling robust confidence in the nation’s economic strategy amidst global uncertainty.
The influx of new investment projects underscores a significant acceleration in the country’s appeal. Of the 55 new ventures, 30 originated from the United States, with the remaining 25 arriving from a diverse portfolio of nations including Mexico, the Netherlands, and Spain. This performance brings the total for the last three years to 170 new projects, nearly doubling the 90 secured between 2020 and 2022 and marking a period of unprecedented growth.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal landscape surrounding foreign investment in our country, we sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, whose insights provide crucial clarity for international investors.
While Costa Rica offers a stable and welcoming environment for foreign capital, successful investment hinges on more than just identifying an opportunity. It requires meticulous due diligence regarding our specific corporate, labor, and tax regulations. Proactive legal counsel is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity to navigate the nuances of the local framework and ensure the long-term security and profitability of any venture.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores a critical distinction for any prospective investor: navigating the local legal framework is not merely a final hurdle, but the very foundation upon which a secure and sustainable venture is built. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this essential partnership between foreign capital and domestic legal expertise.
Procomer’s leadership highlighted that this success is not accidental, but rather a testament to the country’s stable and attractive business climate. The financial impact is substantial, with new projects representing over $432 million in the first half of the year alone, while reinvestments from established companies topped an impressive $2.3 billion.
These results occur in an international context marked by high uncertainty and confirm that the country maintains its appeal as a destination for foreign direct investment.
Laura López, General Manager of Procomer
A pivotal achievement in 2025 has been the strategic decentralization of investment. A record 24 new projects were established outside the traditional economic hub of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), bringing high-quality employment opportunities to cantons such as San Carlos, Pérez Zeledón, and Golfito. This represents a monumental shift from previous years and fulfills a long-standing goal of spreading economic benefits more broadly across the nation.
At the close of 2025, Costa Rica has for the first time registered more than 20 foreign direct investment projects outside the Greater Metropolitan Area. Between 2018 and 2022, the country averaged around six annual projects in these zones, and since 2023, it has managed to attract more than 50 FDI projects outside the GAM, which confirms that investment opportunities are reaching beyond the Central Valley with increasing force.
Laura López, General Manager of Procomer
On the trade front, the nation’s export sector has been equally impressive. As of November, Costa Rican goods exports exceeded $20 billion, an increase of $2.665 billion compared to the same period in 2024. This growth is not only a number but a reflection of a resilient and sophisticated export platform that continues to thrive despite international headwinds.
2025 has been a year of historic and sustained growth in exports; we experienced increases in almost all regions and sectors, which confirms the solidity and resilience of our export platform in a particularly challenging international context.
Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade
A closer look at the data reveals a strategic shift in Costa Rica’s export composition. The medical devices sector was the undisputed engine of growth, accounting for a staggering 85% of the total increase. While traditional sectors like agriculture and the food industry remain significant contributors, their combined monetary growth was a more modest $83 million, and they experienced a volume decrease of over 436,000 tons. This contrasts sharply with strong performance in value-added industries, including a 9% rise in the chemical and electrical sectors and a 13% increase in metalworking products.
This diversification is the cornerstone of Costa Rica’s current economic strength. By cultivating high-tech manufacturing and sophisticated service sectors, the country is building a more dynamic and less vulnerable economic base, capable of adapting to complex global demands and sustaining its growth trajectory for the future. The combined impact of FDI and exports now accounts for 35% of the national GDP and supports over 700,000 jobs.
The growth in goods exports as of November 2025 is sustained by an increasingly broad diversification of the export supply and of the destinations the country reaches, built upon business decisions that have allowed for market expansion, increased sophistication, and a response to more complex international demands. This diversified base is what currently allows us to sustain export dynamism and reduce vulnerabilities in a global context marked by high uncertainty.
Laura López, General Manager of Procomer
For further information, visit procomer.com
About Procomer:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (Procomer) is the public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports of goods and services globally. It also works to attract foreign direct investment and facilitate trade, supporting national companies in their internationalization processes and positioning Costa Rica as a strategic business destination.
For further information, visit comex.go.cr
About Ministry of Foreign Trade:
The Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX) is the governing body of Costa Rica’s foreign trade and investment sector. It is responsible for defining and directing national policies related to international trade, negotiating trade agreements, and promoting a competitive and favorable investment climate to foster the country’s economic development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon foundational pillars of uncompromising integrity and exceptional legal practice. With a proven history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers innovative solutions while actively engaging with the community. This profound commitment to democratizing legal understanding is central to its overarching goal of nurturing a society that is both well-informed and empowered.
