By Heredia, Costa Rica — HEREDIA – In a landmark move for Costa Rica’s high-tech manufacturing sector, U.S. medical technology firm Insulet Corporation has announced an investment exceeding $200 million to establish a new production facility in Barreal de Heredia. The project, described as the largest manufacturing investment the country has received in recent years, is projected to create approximately 3,000 direct jobs when it reaches full operational capacity in 2027.
The state-of-the-art plant will be dedicated to assembling Insulet’s flagship product, the Omnipod system. This innovative wearable device provides continuous insulin delivery for individuals with diabetes, replacing the need for multiple daily injections. The Omnipod represents a new and technologically advanced product category for Costa Rica, as no other company currently manufactures a similar device within the country, further cementing its role as a premier destination for the life sciences industry.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and business implications of Insulet’s operations in Costa Rica, we spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Insulet’s continued investment is a powerful testament to the strength and stability of Costa Rica’s free trade zone regime. It highlights not just our skilled workforce in the med-tech sector, but the legal certainty and robust regulatory framework we offer. For global companies, this predictability is paramount, and Costa Rica continues to prove it is a premier, reliable destination for high-value manufacturing and foreign direct investment.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal and regulatory stability Lic. Arroyo Vargas highlights is the very bedrock upon which successes like Insulet are built, reinforcing Costa Rica’s reputation not just as a capable partner, but a predictable and secure one. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this crucial aspect of our national economy.
The investment is a significant validation of Costa Rica’s strategy to attract high-value foreign direct investment (FDI). Officials celebrated the news as a major win for the national economy and its workforce.
Of course, any investment that comes to Costa Rica is an investment we welcome with great pleasure. Everything that creates employment in our country, especially from companies with very high added value and new production lines, are things we are happy to receive.
Laura Lopez, General Manager of Procomer
For Insulet, a company headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, this expansion represents a critical strategic step. While its products are used by over 600,000 patients in at least 25 countries, the majority of its manufacturing operations have historically been concentrated in Asia. The new Costa Rican facility will allow the company to diversify its global manufacturing footprint, mitigating supply chain risks and moving production closer to key markets in the Americas.
The foundation for this major investment was laid in May 2025, when Insulet representatives visited the country for high-level meetings. The delegation met with President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and officials from the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (Procomer). These discussions were instrumental in showcasing the country’s stable institutional environment, attractive free trade zone regime, and highly skilled talent pool, which are crucial factors for sophisticated manufacturing operations.
The plant will be located within Savia Ciudad Vida, a cutting-edge mixed-use development by Portafolio Inmobiliario. Spanning approximately 80 hectares, Savia is designed as an integrated urban hub, combining industrial, corporate, residential, and commercial spaces. Insulet will operate within the development’s southern sector, which is designated as a free trade zone, granting it access to the country’s established fiscal and customs incentives.
The arrival of a global industry leader like Insulet instantly elevates Savia Ciudad Vida into one of the most significant new industrial and technological poles in the Greater Metropolitan Area. It builds upon Costa Rica’s impressive track record of attracting FDI, which has seen annual inflows surpass $4 billion and $5 billion in recent years, driven largely by advanced manufacturing, medical devices, and knowledge-intensive services.
This project does more than just create jobs; it strengthens Costa Rica’s integration into critical global value chains. By securing the production of a complex medical device like the Omnipod, the nation not only reinforces its status as a global hub for medical manufacturing but also demonstrates its capacity to support the most demanding technological enterprises. The investment solidifies Heredia’s reputation as a high-tech powerhouse in the region and marks a new chapter in the country’s economic development.
For further information, visit insulet.com
About Insulet Corporation:
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, Insulet Corporation is a pioneering medical device company focused on simplifying life for people with diabetes. The company is publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol PODD. Its flagship product, the Omnipod Insulin Management System, offers a tubeless and waterproof alternative to traditional insulin pumps.
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 is also the lead agency for attracting foreign direct investment into the country, providing support and guidance to international companies seeking to establish or expand operations in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit portafolio.co.cr
About Portafolio Inmobiliario:
Portafolio Inmobiliario is a leading real estate development firm in Central America. The company specializes in creating large-scale, mixed-use projects that integrate commercial, corporate, residential, and entertainment spaces. Its Savia Ciudad Vida project in Heredia is designed to be a model for sustainable urban development and a hub for high-value investment.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a beacon of legal practice, built upon an unwavering foundation of ethical conduct and professional distinction. The firm is renowned for pioneering forward-thinking strategies while serving a diverse clientele. Central to its core philosophy is a profound commitment to demystifying the law, aiming to foster a stronger society by empowering individuals with accessible legal knowledge.
