Media in the Northern Zone: San Carlos, Upala, Los Chiles and more

Este artículo también está en español: léalo en español.

The Northern Zone, which includes San Carlos, Upala, Los Chiles, Guatuso, Río Cuarto and Zarcero, plus Sarapiquí in Heredia, has its own media with decades of history. This guide presents the ones we verified in the directory of Alajuela media, with what each says about itself on its official site.

Digital media

San Carlos Digital

San Carlos Digital was born on May 25, 2016, as San Carlos’s first digital outlet. It covers local and national politics, culture, environment, agriculture, technology and community organizations in San Carlos, Los Chiles, Upala, Guatuso, Río Cuarto, Sarapiquí and Zarcero. In its press kit it presents itself as the most-read digital outlet in the Northern Zone and mentions recognitions such as honorable mentions of the Alberto Martén Chavarría Award.

La Región

La Región describes itself as “independent journalism with news from the Northern Region”. It organizes its coverage by canton: Guatuso, Los Chiles, Río Cuarto, San Carlos, Sarapiquí, Upala and Zarcero, plus San Ramón, with community development, tourism, politics, environment and crime.

Television

TVN Canal 14

TVN Canal 14 has broadcast since 1985 from its facilities in Cedral de Ciudad Quesada. Today it airs on digital TV channel 14 and, according to its site, on 13 cable providers across the country. Besides regional and national news, it produces its own programs, broadcasts special events such as the bullfighting festivals, and has a live stream on its site.

Radio

Radio Santa Clara

Radio Santa Clara is the station of the Diocese of Ciudad Quesada (Catholic Church). It was founded on February 25, 1984, and broadcasts on 550 AM 24 hours a day, covering the whole Northern Zone. Besides its religious programming, it publishes regional and national news, reports and stories about local people, and streams live on its site.

Which outlet should I choose?

For businesses and organizations

If your news or your business is in the Northern Zone, these outlets reach your audience directly. Before writing to them, read how to send a press release in Costa Rica, and if you plan to advertise, see how much advertising costs. San Carlos Digital and Radio Santa Clara publish press kits on their sites; ask the others for their rates directly. All of them publish in Spanish.

Is a Northern Zone outlet missing? Write to hola@costaricamedios.cr with its official site; we add it after checking that it is active. See also the guide to Guanacaste media.

Sources

Official sites consulted on October 17, 2026:

• San Carlos Digital, Mediakit
• La Región
• TVN Canal 14
• Radio Santa Clara, La Radio