Parque Jose Marti — Attraction in Tampa

For those traveling and exploring for the neat, interesting, and eccentric, the Jose Marti Park is a a gem and rare find right in the Ybor District of Tampa, Florida.

If you ever find yourself in heart of Tampa, I would not miss visiting this sort of "quirky" park. Initial research and query validates that the Jose Marti Park is owned by the country of Cuba. So by visiting the park, you are stepping into Cuba even though you're physically located in Contiguous United States by the technicalities of titles and deeds. So why cross this off the bucket list?

In fact, getting to this location is fairly convenient using the free-of-charge TECO streetcar. I would argue is this probably the preferred method if you're coming from the downtown Tampa area. If you're travelling from the last stop by Hattrick's (Station 11), it will take no more than 25 minutes to get to the Station 4 which is located across the street from the Jose Marti Park. The street car travels in both directions so its just a matter of waiting for the car to come back the other to get back to the origination.

Compared to some older photos found here, there is some change to the area around the park. For starters, there is a towering 3-story loft that looms over on the left side of the park as you're facing the entrance. Aside from that, the park is fairly quaint and modest - I would rather call it a glorified garden then a park. There are several distinct fixtures within the confines of the walls. The plaques on these fixtures offer some insight to the relationship of this area to that of Cuba. It is more of a place for reflection or pontificate (if you're into that sort of thing).

The vegetation (mainly referring the trees) is pretty neat, while "wild" chickens roam the grounds. There are benches of sitting, and for the most part, the traffic of visitors to the park lends itself to a bit of quietness.

It's a bit surreal to think that this piece of land in the heart of Tampa is Cuba, but ultimately its worth the visit as you are just a few walkable blocks into the heart of Ybor...

A Hidden Gem – José Martí Park in Tampa is a beautiful space and peaceful oasis right in the heart of Tampa. The park is well-maintained and offers a perfect spot for families to relax. It’s not very large, but it’s great for those looking to learn more about Tampa’s history, as the park honors the legacy of José Martí. Not to mention it’s officially owned by the people of Cuba, making it one of the only pieces of Cuban soil in the United States. Whether you’re visiting for a family outing or just a quiet moment, José Martí Park is a wonderful...

This park is very small but it has a fascinating history. Parque Amigos de José Martí, located in Tampa, Florida, is a unique historical site with a complex status. The park is technically owned by the Republic of Cuba, as the land was donated to the Cuban government in 1956, before the Cuban Revolution and the rise of Fidel Castro. This makes it one of the few pieces of Cuban-owned property in the United States. The park contains soil from each of Cuba’s provinces and serves as a tribute to José Martí, a key figure in Cuba’s fight for...