Parque Morazán

San José


Parque Morazán is named for Francisco Morazán, the 19th-century general who attempted to unite the Central American nations under a single flag (for his troubles, he was executed by firing squad). Once a notorious center of prostitution, the park is now beautifully illuminated in the evenings. At its center is the Templo de Música – a replica of the Temple of Love in Versailles – the unofficial symbol of San José.

Southwest of Parque España.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San José attractions

1. Templo de Música

0.01 MILES

Since the 1920s, this large metallic dome perched atop columns in Parque Morazán has sheltered concerts, dance parties and political rallies.

2. Edificio Metálico

0.08 MILES

One of downtown San José's most striking buildings, this century-old two-story metal edifice on Parque España's western edge was prefabricated in Belgium,…

3. Alianza Francesa

0.1 MILES

The Alliance has French classes, a small library and rotating art exhibits in a Barrio Amón home. There are also cinematic and musical events. The classes…

4. Parque España

0.12 MILES

Surrounded by heavy traffic, Parque España may be small, but it becomes a riot of birdsong every day at sunset when the local avian population comes in to…

5. Casa Amarilla

0.16 MILES

On Parque España’s northeast corner, this elegant colonial-style yellow mansion (closed to the public) houses the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ceiba tree…

7. TEOR/éTica

0.17 MILES

This contemporary-art museum is the brick-and-mortar gathering space for the TEOR/éTica Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Central…

8. Plaza de la Cultura

0.18 MILES

This architecturally unremarkable concrete plaza in the heart of downtown is usually packed with locals slurping ice-cream cones and admiring the wide…