CubaPLUS Magazine

The sensational Playa Azul in Varadero has among its charms that of having a variety of different and very specialized offers, beyond the sun and the beach -its main course-, without the tourist having to leave the resort. A tempting option, in this sense, is the beautiful Parque Josone, located in the middle of the urban area of Varadero and the place where the wealthy Mr. José Fermín Iturrioz y Llaguno built his residence, with his wife Onelia Méndez Rubí.

Surrounded by flourishing gardens, discreet groves and a reflecting pool crossed by very decorative bridges, Josone is a welcome green note, while offering the excellent services of four restaurants, shops, a bar, walks and hikes, in one place almost idyllic, if you like environments with a romantic halo.

The story points out that José Iturrioz inaugurated his main mansion and the original nucleus of the property in 1942 and gave it as a gift to his beloved wife. To consecrate her, he named her Josone, taking the first letters of their nicknames, as a sign of their indestructible union. Remodeled on several occasions since it was destined by the Cuban government for tourism, today it does not stop remembering the legend of the founders of the place, while its management, in addition to the aforementioned offers, makes facilities available to its visitors to do water sports, pool services, craft sales and the organization of dinners, banquets and galas.

Both the central house, in an elegant neoclassical style, built in 1938, as well as the rest of its joint areas, inaugurated in 1942, were erected on the first parcel of land purchased in Varadero for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. The magnificent beach, although it had attracted hundreds of bathers since the second decade of the 19th century, they only traveled there temporarily.

If Iturrioz insisted on doing something memorable in the name of love, he succeeded, and left a beneficial influence transcended to the present. Because today, with the restoration and expansions of the place, which have essentially respected the original style, there are many who leave Josone satisfied, in addition to the excellent service of its current workers.

The so-called Retiro de Varadero has the El Dante restaurant, offering Italian food; La Campana, for Creole food; Antiques, seafood, and El Retiro for international food. There is also a bowling alley, a shooting range, boats to ride on the lake, a swimming pool, all in an area of almost eight hectares, where there are several mansions, also owned by the director of the Arechabala rum factory.