Parque Juan Santamaria
Parque Juan Santamaria
4
About
A park dedicated to the national hero who lost his life during the 1856 invasion of Costa Rica by William Walker.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Parque Juan Santamaria
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
207 within 5 kms
Attractions
26 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
128 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
39
Average
39
Poor
8
Terrible
0
wurd
Toronto6 contributions
Oct 2018
Like the Six Nation Monument in Brantford Canada, this symbolises the defeat of American Imperialism by the local people.
Written 2 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Idlewanderlust
Houston, TX51 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
If you're American, go here for the statue of Juan Santamaria. It commemorates an important event in Central American history almost none us learned about in high school (and we really should).
The park itself is mostly stones with a playset. It was cool to see locals hanging out, some skating, just enjoying the evening. But there's not a ton here.
The park itself is mostly stones with a playset. It was cool to see locals hanging out, some skating, just enjoying the evening. But there's not a ton here.
Written 5 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelUSAoften
Toronto736 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
This park is more of a plaza as it is dominated by concrete paving stones. There are a few trees around the perimeter that provide some nice shade but do not be surprised to find someone sleeping off a hangover on the little grass that is available. The statue of Juan Santamaria after whom the park is named dominates the scene as does a colorful mural. You can reach this park very easily by walking a few blocks south of the central plaza.
Written 21 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdub333
Chicago, IL317 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
An inspiring statue of Juan Santamaría is of course the centerpiece of this pleasant park, not far from the old cathedral.
Juan Santamaría was part of a rag-tag campesino army trying to repel Tennessee pro-slavery advocate William Walker (who had already invaded Nicaragua and was moving down the coast). A doctor-turned-adventurer, Walker hoped to lead a mercenary conquest of Central America and make the whole region pro-slavery.
Santamaría (of Alajuela) was a drummer boy in the Costa Rican forces. He volunteered to set fire to a wood fort where Walker’s “army” was holed up. He lit it up, but was shot to death. Walker’s forces retreated north after a 14-minute fight.
Santamaría is depicted gripping a torch, charging into possible death. Below the statue are two small cannons on an elevated stage (with a dangerous drop-off; I almost plunged off). Colorful noisy parrots fly around the trees and old buildings by the park. A shoeshine guy is doing a brisk business, lovers stroll, old men read newspapers.
There are several nice parks in this area of Alajuela, but this is the only one celebrating the boy hero. Could he have known an international airport would be named in his honor?
Juan Santamaría was part of a rag-tag campesino army trying to repel Tennessee pro-slavery advocate William Walker (who had already invaded Nicaragua and was moving down the coast). A doctor-turned-adventurer, Walker hoped to lead a mercenary conquest of Central America and make the whole region pro-slavery.
Santamaría (of Alajuela) was a drummer boy in the Costa Rican forces. He volunteered to set fire to a wood fort where Walker’s “army” was holed up. He lit it up, but was shot to death. Walker’s forces retreated north after a 14-minute fight.
Santamaría is depicted gripping a torch, charging into possible death. Below the statue are two small cannons on an elevated stage (with a dangerous drop-off; I almost plunged off). Colorful noisy parrots fly around the trees and old buildings by the park. A shoeshine guy is doing a brisk business, lovers stroll, old men read newspapers.
There are several nice parks in this area of Alajuela, but this is the only one celebrating the boy hero. Could he have known an international airport would be named in his honor?
Written 20 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
isabella P
Puerto Rico86 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Nice setting and family environment . We went after a concert with the Costa Rica 's philharmonic at 3pm. I believe it was a lift up from the busy streets.
Written 20 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pcochranak
San Angelo, TX195 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
In 1856 time William Walker (from the US) lead a group of mercenaries to take over Costa Rica. This statue represents Costa Rica's hero, Juan Santamaria, a local farmer who volunteered to go burn the shack where Walker and his invaders were hiding. Juan was shot and killed in doing so, and his last words were to take care of his mother. However his group was able to thwart the invaders and chase them up into Nicaragua. He is celebrated nationwide every year on Juan Santamaria Day.
It's an impressive statue in a nice setting. There are some good photo ops here, as well as across the street where the large red letters of ALAJUELA are easily climbed on for some fun memorable shots. There is also a small playground beside the ALAJUELA letters. These are located only a couple blocks from the Cathedral and the town square...also worth visiting!
It's an impressive statue in a nice setting. There are some good photo ops here, as well as across the street where the large red letters of ALAJUELA are easily climbed on for some fun memorable shots. There is also a small playground beside the ALAJUELA letters. These are located only a couple blocks from the Cathedral and the town square...also worth visiting!
Written 13 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jannelupita
Dolores, CO78 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We enjoyed people watching here. Most locals wander through looking at their phones. There is a nice mural on the wall and a bus stop here. I wouldn't go out of
My way to visit but we stayed nearby.
My way to visit but we stayed nearby.
Written 10 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CostaRicaWooow
15 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Now that Pokemon Go is on fire!! You can come here any time and find at least 4 pokestops with lur ;) The place is secure and very wide open so the space is not a problem.
Written 27 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina R
Clearwater, FL75 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Very popular, on the city bus route. Lots shade and amazing architecture and shpping. Parking is tricky.
Written 18 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmy G
311 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
We stop here on our way to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. It gives me the opportunity to teach my students about how Juan Santamaría and the Ticos stood up to William Walker.
Written 1 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingPARQUE JUAN SANTAMARIA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Parque Juan Santamaria
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Parque Juan Santamaria:
- Doka Coffee Tour, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Day Trip from San Jose (From RM 776.89)
- 13 days: Jungle and Beach in Costa Rica (From RM 12,676.72)
- 5 Days - Costa Rica Gay Getaway (From RM 5,721.97)
- 8 Days - San Jose - Tortuguero - Cahuita (From RM 6,047.61)
- 8 Days Nature Lovers in a Costa Rican Gay Tour Program (From RM 8,629.47)
- Hotels near Parque Juan Santamaria:
- (0.02 km) Hostel Cala
- (0.05 km) Hostel Mango Verde
- (0.10 km) Hotel Santamaria
- (0.10 km) Family Friendly Mountain Getaway With Stunning Views
- (0.12 km) Mountain Top Resort
- Restaurants near Parque Juan Santamaria:
- (0.00 km) Comida Tipica Taco a Taco
- (0.03 km) Alegría Café
- (0.05 km) La Torcaz
- (0.05 km) Soda El Sesteo
- (0.10 km) Rosti - Plaza Real Alajuela