Zona Franca Cartago

The Cartago Free Trade Zone (Zona Franca Cartago) is a premier industrial and service hub located in Costa Rica's former capital city. Established in the 1980s, it was designed to diversify the local economy and provide high-skilled employment opportunities outside the congested San José metropolitan area. Today, the park hosts dozens of multinational corporations, with a strong emphasis on medical device manufacturing, advanced electronics, and specialized shared service centers. Its location in the Central Valley provides a cooler climate advantageous for certain industrial processes and grants access to a highly educated workforce, bolstered by its proximity to the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC). The infrastructure is state-of-the-art, featuring redundant power grids, high-speed fiber optics, and sustainable waste management systems. Economically, the zone contributes significantly to the country's export volumes and fosters high-level technological transfer. Through continuous expansion and the arrival of new global players, Cartago remains a dynamic pillar of national industrial strategy and regional competitiveness.

Nearby cities

Paraíso

Situated in the highlands of Cartago, this city is a gateway to several natural attractions including the Orosi Valley.

Turrialba

Nestled in a fertile valley, this city is famous for its proximity to the Turrialba Volcano and various river rafting destinations.

Tejar

The main center of the El Guarco canton, acting as a residential bridge between the city of Cartago and the surrounding rural areas.

San Diego

A key district in La Union, serving as a rapidly urbanizing area east of San Jose.

Tres Ríos

The capital of La Union, a key residential and commercial zone east of San Jose.

Cot

A mountain town known for its high-altitude agriculture and cool climate.

Orosi

Located in a beautiful valley, Orosi is home to one of the oldest churches in the country and is surrounded by stunning nature and therma…

Juan Viñas

A historic agricultural town known for its extensive coffee plantations and scenic rural landscapes in the Cartago province.

Pacayas

A high-altitude village known for its potato production and spectacular views of the Irazu Volcano.

History & landmarks

Lankester Botanical Garden

A botanical garden famous for its orchid collection.

Durán Sanatorium

An abandoned former tuberculosis hospital, considered to be haunted.

Ruins of Cartago

The picturesque ruins of an unfinished church in Cartago.

Orosi Colonial Church

A well-preserved example of religious colonial architecture, this church remains a focal point of the historic Orosi Valley.

More places

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Church of Cot

Another historic church near Cartago, known for its simple colonial construction and its role in community life.

Cartago Industrial Park

A major industrial hub for technology and manufacturing.

Cross of Las Ánimas

A commemorative cross associated with local memory and religious tradition in Cartago Province.

La Negrita Free Trade Zone

A strategic free trade zone providing infrastructure for international businesses and export-oriented manufacturing.

Orosi Church

The Church of San José de Orosi is the oldest church in Costa Rica still in use, dating back to the colonial era.

Battle of Ochomogo Site

Site of the short 1823 civil war that decided Costa Rica's capital city.