Write for The Tico Times

Why it’s worth writing for us

Contributing to The Tico Times is not just about getting a byline. It can also help you:

• Reach a targeted audience
  Your work appears in front of engaged readers who care about Costa Rica: expats, travelers, locals, investors and people considering a move here.
• Build your portfolio
  A published piece in a long-running Costa Rica news outlet is a strong clip for freelancers, students, content creators and professionals who want to show expertise in the country.
• Promote your projects
  We include a short bio and link to your website, business, newsletter, portfolio or social media, giving you relevant traffic instead of random clicks.
• Strengthen your voice on Costa Rica
  Writing for us lets you sharpen your thinking, tell the stories you think are missing and take part in public conversation about life here.
• Open doors for future work
  Strong contributors may be invited to pitch again or collaborate on future projects, and your article can lead to new contacts, clients or opportunities in and outside Costa Rica.

What we’re looking for

Our focus is simple: Costa Rica.

We want pieces that help readers understand and experience this country better — its people, places, challenges and everyday life. We leave room for creativity, as long as the Costa Rica angle is clear and the work is well reported or thoughtfully written.

Some topic areas we’re especially interested in:

• Expat stories in Costa Rica
  Personal essays and reported stories about expat life, successes, challenges and lessons learned. Profiles of people (Ticos or foreigners) doing interesting things here.
• Practical guides
  Clear, useful pieces on topics like driving, public transport, cost of living, safety, health, renting or buying a home, visas and bureaucracy, working remotely, or enrolling kids in school.
• Travel and local exploration
  Stories from the road: lesser-known destinations, national parks, beaches, small towns, weekend trips, hiking, wildlife watching and outdoor adventures. Honest advice, not promotion.
• Neighborhood and region spotlights
  On-the-ground looks at specific communities — what it’s like to live there, how the place is changing, what newcomers should know.
• Reviews and recommendations
  Fair and transparent reviews of Costa Rican businesses, restaurants, hotels, tours, cultural spaces and local services that visitors or residents might find useful.
• Social and environmental issues
  Reporting or opinion pieces on topics like conservation, climate, housing, immigration, inequality, tourism impacts and local community efforts.
• News-related commentary
  We do not need rewritten news. We do want sharp, informed opinion or analysis on Costa Rica news and policies and how they affect communities, expats or specific sectors.
• Lists and service pieces
  “Top 10 day trips from San José”, “7 things I wish I knew before moving to Costa Rica”, “5 classic Costa Rican dishes you should actually cook at home”, and so on.
• Food and drink
  Stories, recipes and guides related to Costa Rican food culture: sodas, coffee, markets, regional dishes, small producers and food traditions.
• Business, work and entrepreneurship
  Insightful pieces about starting or running a business in Costa Rica, paying taxes, permits, legal basics and practical advice that helps others avoid mistakes.

These are examples, not limits. If it’s well written, original and about Costa Rica, we’ll consider it.

Editorial standards

To be considered, your work must:

• Be original and not previously published elsewhere.
• Be grammatically sound and clearly written in English.
• Be honest, transparent and respectful of sources and communities.
• Avoid promotional tone unless clearly marked and agreed as sponsored content.

We may:

• Send your piece back with suggested changes so it fits our style and audience better, or
• Edit your work in-house for clarity, length, structure, SEO and tone.

If we edit your piece, we will do our best to keep the original spirit and voice of your article.

Bio and links

When you send us your work, please also include:

• A short bio (maximum 150 words) written in the third person.
• Links to whatever you’d like us to promote: your website, business, portfolio or social media.

How to pitch

Send us either:

• A finished draft, or
• A clear pitch (2–3 paragraphs) explaining your idea, the angle, why it matters to readers of The Tico Times, and how you plan to report or structure it.

Use the contact form on this page or reach out to us at sales@ticotimes.net with the subject line: Tico Times contributor pitch – [Your Topic]

Sponsored content and commercial inquiries

If you represent a company or organization interested in sponsored content, branded stories or other commercial partnerships with The Tico Times, please visit our Advertise page or contact our sales team through the site. Editorial pitches and paid content requests are handled separately.