Morazan Park

The basics

Morazan Park is a small park just north of downtown San Jose that’s an included stop on some tours of the city—it forms a contiguous green space with Jardín de Paz and Parque España. The gazebo at its center is called The Temple of Music (Templo de la Música), and the park contains a handful of other monuments, too. Check out a statue of the revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar, and one of Bernardo O’Higgins, the liberator and first president of Chile.

Things to know before you go

• Check local listings for festivals held here, which have themes from art to music.

• Bring a lunch or snack: The park is a great picnic spot, with tree-shaded benches ideal for relaxing.

• Plant lovers shouldn’t miss the jacarandas that bloom here in spring.

How to get there

The park is located between Avenida 1 and Avenida 3, east of Calle 5. (In San Jose, calles run north-south, while avenidas have east-west orientations.) Bus stops are plentiful on both Avenida 3 and Calle 3, and it’s easy to find taxis within the surrounding neighborhood. Look for the red and yellow “official” taxis that are licensed by the city.

When to get there

Visit Morazan Park during the day. While this neighborhood and its parks are considered safe, many locals recommend exploring San Jose green spaces only during the daytime hours. If you’d like to check out San Jose at night, consider booking a tour that’s designed around culture, food, and the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Best festivals in San Jose

The capital’s events calendar buzzes through the dry season. In mid-December, Morazan Park hosts events for the Light Festival (Festival de la Luz), which features masquerades, fireworks, and music. Crowds go to the capital’s Zapote district for New Year’s Eve street parties; ranch culture is center stage at March’s Bonanza Cattle Show, and the city further celebrates a few weeks later for Saint Joseph’s Day (Dia de San Jose).