This
park is known as Varadero’s Tiny green Lung. Extending over 9 green
hectares and located almost in the center of Varadero, this park offers
a varied dinning and bar service.
The park and its name, Josone, have a simple history that goes back to the 1930s, when Basque native José Fermín Iturróz, then manager (1926-1956) of the Arrechabala rum factory, bought the first piece of land around the lake.
It was originally designed as a country retreat, with its huge stone mansion fine woodwork and glasses, and an artificial lake. The first house was built in 1938 and is today the Dante Restaurant, specializing in Italian food. Subsequently, a mansion was erected in the neoclassical style, where Iturróz and his family resided, which is now the Retiro Josone Restaurant, with Cuban and international cuisine.
The
park was completed in 1942. There is a tunnel was built under the first
avenue, originally leading to the beach. It now go to the International
Diving Center.
The name Josone itself has a history that some consider romantic, given that it comes from the first letters of the names José and Onelia, the wealthy Basque’s wife.
The park has a sugar cane juice stand, and a bar, La Gruta, right on
the like side. It also has a swimming pool, and a children party hall,
and can be leased for banquets, business dinners, and feasts.