Léon – Tips, sights and highlights
León is one of the two most famous colonial cities and impressed us from start to finish. In total we spent four full days in Leon and got to experience a lot. The city seemed friendlier than Managua and the people were open and helpful. The former capital is home to the largest cathedral in Central America and, with four active volcanoes, offers numerous opportunities for activities. This includes the worldwide unique volcano boarding on Cerro Negro.
We particularly liked Léon as the city is diverse and has something to offer for everyone. Whether you are looking for traditional, authentic street stalls, markets bars or beautiful cafés and restaurants with a western flair. So you’re definitely sure to find something here. As there are many hostels in León it’s easy to get in touch with other travelers even if you are traveling alone. Léon is one of the hottest cities in Nicaragua. In summer there is an average temperature between 30 and 35 degrees (87-95F). So keep in mind to add an AC and a swimming pool to your stay.
Activities in Léon
Léon offers a lot. Most activities are organized privately as well as in larger groups by big hostels like e.g. the Bigfoot Hostel. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it’s best you inform yourself about the focus of the activity: party or the experience itself as many experiences are linked to e.g. party busses. In this blog we share our experiences and provide tips on how to manage excursions and get the best out of your stay in Léon.
Sunset from the cathedral
In Léon it is almost a must to watch the sunset from the roof of the cathedral. The white roof is a popular photo spot and offers an amazing view on the city. As the access to the cathedral already closes around 5 pm it makes sense to come shortly before the closure. On Sundays the cathedral is only open in the morning, not for the sunset.
We recommend to ask the guard in front of the entry to the roof when you can go up latest to enjoy the sunset. You get the entry tickets on the east side of the cathedral, opposite of the market hall. There you’ll find a small door which will lead you inside the cathedral. The entrance fee is round about 110 Cordoba = ~3$/person. The entrance to the roof is on the southern side towards the town square. As your not allowed to wear shoes on the rooftop its helpful to take a small bag for your shoes.
Volcano boarding Cerro Negro
Volcano Boarding from the active volcano Cerro Negro can almost be called part of visiting Léon. Most of the tours are organized by hostels like the Bigfoot Hostel and you can book your day and time directly onsite or online. If you prefer a private tour or a tour without a party it might make sense to ask in your accommodation directly. Our stay, hostel Casa Abierta, offered such tours. However, we went with Bigfoot as it is often cheaper to do group tours. The price per person is 37$. Often a transfer from your stay is included in the price as well as a shirt and bandana to cover your face (take it with you!). In addition, a local meal as well as the party buy are included.
The tour starts from the Bigfoot Hostel with a bus ride to the volcano. If you want to enjoy the sunset at the volcano it is best to book an afternoon tour. The drive to Cerro Negro takes around one and a half hours and shortly before arriving you will get a brief introduction. The ascent takes about an hour. As the climb should not be underestimated and the boards can feel quite heavy after a while you have the option that locals carry your board up the volcano for a small tip of about 5 euros. We were assured that the locals are happy to do this, appreciate the money and that it is a good way to support them. In addition, you should think of bringing old but suitable hiking shoes, plenty of sunscreen, enough water and a hat.
On the left side you see a picture of Nico who reached more than 75 kilometers per hour with his board. Still you should always keep in mind that the descent is not without risk and your safety should always come first. Once you reach the bottom you can look forward to a beautiful sunset which you can watch from the roof of the bus. On the way back you can expect a wild party on the bus before a short stop for food at a local place. If you prefer a calmer atmosphere and do not want this kind of wild after volcano action it makes much more sense to book a private tour. Otherwise volcano boarding is a unique experience that combines action fun and the stunning landscape of León in a perfect way.
Hike Telica vulcano
The hike on the active volcano Telica is also very impressive. This time we were in a smaller group of 8-10 people with a guide which felt much more pleasant and easier to manage. We did the day tour with Volcano Day as the provider and paid around 38€ per person which is about 45$. We booked the tour directly on site at the Via Via Hostel. If you want to spend more time on the volcano you can also book a tour that includes an overnight stay on the volcano.
The drive to the volcano feels quite long and takes almost two hours because most of the road leads straight through the countryside over rocks and gravel. You sit on the back seat of a jeep with little to no space which, combined with the heat, does not make the ride very pleasant. From the parking area the hike follows easy trails along the volcano. The ascent takes about one and a half hours. Once you reach the top you will find a massive crater and steam rising from the ground everywhere. With a bit of luck you can even see lava or watch the volcano erupt.
Afterwards you continue to the other side of the volcano from where you have a beautiful view of the sunset. As it gets dark quite quickly after the sun has set it makes sense to bring a headlamp for the descent. The hike on the Telica volcano can be very exhausting in the heat but it is absolutely worth it. The day is long and hot so you should make sure to bring enough food and water. Apart from a small snack during the sunset you will only get food again at the very end back at the hostel.
Las Peñitas beach
A day trip to the Pacific coast to Las Peñitas is the perfect balance to the hot days and the exhausting hikes in León. Especially if you continue straight to Granada afterwards the detour to the sea is perfect to cool down and recharge your energy. The town is known for its relaxed beach small restaurants and the opportunity to surf. In addition Las Peñitas is a well known place for turtle nesting and with a bit of luck you can even join a turtle release. As we continued directly to El Tránsito afterwards we skipped Las Peñitas but we heard about it from other travelers.
Our restaurant recommendations
In León there is something for every taste and budget. You will find small street stalls where you get incredibly cheap and authentic Nicaraguan food but also restaurants on a Western level. Most of the time we chose something in between. What we recommend the most is to try as much local street food as possible such as pupusas. It is inexpensive, tastes fantastic and gives you the full experience of the local cuisine. If you really want to dive into the culture you should not skip the small stalls and markets.
Our accommodation tips
As it can get quite hot in León a place with a pool and air conditioning is a must have. As we had not thought of this ourselves, the first night was hardly bearable and sleep was not an option. Luckily we were able to upgrade our room at Casa Abierta the next day which made the temperatures in the room much more comfortable. It makes the most sense to use the mornings while it is still cooler to explore the city and spend the midday heat relaxing by the pool.
We were incredibly lucky because during our stay in March it was Mango season. There were numerous mango trees around our hotel pool and fresh mangos fell into the water every few minutes. What looks beautiful can also be quite dangerous and end with a blue eye. In addition, you should also always make sure to close doors and windows because otherwise you will have a room full of mosquitoes within minutes. We also saw small scorpions in León. Therefore, you should always fluff the pillows and look into your shoe to avoid an unpleasant and sometimes even dangerous encounter.
If you want to skip the comfort and are willing to stay in a dorm there are also much cheaper alternatives. Either way it is best to choose a accommodation close to the city center. Besides our stay at Casa Abierta we have put together a few more suggestions for you.
How to get there?
In León we mostly got around by foot. Within the city center you can usually reach everything important within a short, roundabout ten minute walk. For most tours transportation is included anyway. Alternatively you will find taxis on every corner or you can use the taxi apps Ray and Aventon.
The ride from Managua to León takes about one and a half hours and costs around one 100 Cordobas which is about 2,5€. The buses leave regularly from the main bus station in Managua. From the bus terminal in León it is another ten minute ride to the city center and to the accommodation we stayed at. From there it is only a short ride by bus or taxi. If you are leaving León there is a bus stop in the city to the bus terminal on the northern side of the market hall. We continued from there with the chicken bus to El Tránsito.