San José Travel Forum

Ok, firstly, does San Jose have shanty towns?

Are there any tours of these such at the ones in Rio?

As far as I know, there aren't any "Shanty Towns" anywhere in Costa Rica. San Jose has poor sections but the government of CR takes care of her people and provides low income housing for most. What I am wondering is why someone who is interested in Traveling to Costa rica would want to tour Shanty Towns. This country is one of the most beautiful places on earth in the way of ecology, wildlife, beaches, volcanoes, mountains, rain forests, cloud forests, waterfalls and some of the most friendliest people anywhere in Central America. If you want to visit shanty towns and homeless people try Detroit, Michigan or New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States.

Thanks for the info.

I am more than excited to visit beaches, forest etc.

But with San Jose being the way in and way out, I wondered if there was such tours.

The tours in Rio have provided much needed tourist money to poor areas. They welcome such practice

During the recent rainy season a few communities were washed away and a lot of people are homeless. The best thing that you could do would be to visit a local church in any area you are planning to stay and talk to the Pastor about things the local people might need. Give cash donations to the pastor only and he will make sure that your dollars are put to the best use. My wife and I intend on doing this along with bringing boots and slightly used clothing that we will take to a church in Guanacaste for distribution. God Bless You for thinking of others, the world would be a better place if we all thought this way and helped one another. Happy Travels!

Great suggestion. Not going until July, but that is something I shall do

Be willing to explore and you will see people of all income levels. Instead of taking the bus from Quepos to Jaco I took one to Parrita and saw the backroads which housed people who are less well-to-do. I picked up another bus in Parita to continue North to Jaco. I asked a teen on the bus "Jaco...autobus... terminal"? He said no, so I asked the driver "Jaco?" when we passed by Playa Hermosa, then I knew he was aware I had no idea where to get off. Sure enough I was informed where on the Highway/roadway to get off. I asked a local which direction to walk and it was only a 15 minute walk to the central avenue in the center of town. It is that easy.

yes it does i know because i live here and there are near the airport. i dont know if there are tours to go to the shanty tows but i am sure that there are!!!! dont listen to the others.