León Needs to be on Your Nicaraguan Bucket List

9 Reasons to Visit León, Nicaragua

Why León?

In my opinion, León is like a bigger, cooler version of Granada. It has a lot of the same colorful charm, and colonial architecture, but with more energy.

There are many universities in León (including the second oldest in Central America), and it is sometimes considered the “Cultural Capital” of Nicaragua. León is the second biggest city in Nicaragua, after Managua, so there is a lot more to do and see here than most everywhere else in Nicaragua.

My favorite part of León is that it doesn’t seem to be geared towards tourists. Its a real city, with real Nicaraguans living, working, and going to school. Although, there is no shortage of historical sites and monuments.

Finally, as it’s located in the North of Nicaragua, León is the jumping off point for getting to the rest Central America. It’s actually a lot easier to travel Central America overland, as opposed to flying. The shuttle system between countries is efficient and the drivers help you get through all the border check points with ease.

Shuttle from León to El Tunco, El Salvador

Shuttle from León to Antigua, Guatemala

Shuttle from León to La Ceiba, Honduras

Things to do in León

Volcano Boarding

This is probably the main reason most backpackers come here. And it is wild.

For the adrenaline seekers out there, I’ve heard you can go up to 60 mph. For those of us not seeking much adrenaline (aka me), you can control the speed of the board by digging your heels into the ground.

All the ins and outs of speed control and ‘safety’ are explained on the tour.

It’s one of only three places in the world you can board down a volcano (the others are in Indonesia and Vanuatu).

What to bring:

• Hiking boots or sneakers
• Water
• Bandana
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses, and a hat

★ Rated: 5 out of 5 (17 reviews)

Here are several other ways you can experience volcano boarding:

1. Stay at Bigfoot Hostel and Volcano Boarding.
2. Book a tour with a company like Volcano Day.
3. Or through a travel site.

Murals of the Revolution

The history of León is complex and nuanced. It served as a battleground during the Nicaraguan Revolution;  when rising opposition in the 1960s and 1970s, led to the ousting of the dictatorship and subsequent Contra War. Remnants of this time remain painted all over the city, from extravagant murals to bullet holes.

According to Wikipedia, the revolution marked a significant period in the history of Nicaragua and revealed the country as one of the major proxy war battlegrounds of the Cold War, attracting much international attention.

I imagine this is why so many people still think of Nicaragua as some war-torn country where people walk around with assault rifles – León today could not be further from this.

One of the best places to see the murals is to walk from the main square, up 1ra Av. NO towards Bar El Mirador.

Museums

What better way to learn about León’s colorful past, than perusing a few museums? Here are the top 3, but there are many more to choose from!

Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian; an expansive collection of Latin American artwork.

Museo de la Revolucion; many of the museum’s volunteers lived through and fought in the revolution.

Museo de Tradiciones y Leyendas (Museum of Traditions and Legends); this one is set inside an old prison.

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of León

Located in the main square, the Assumption is the largest cathedral in Central America. Since its’ completion in 1814, it has endured volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and bombings during the civil wars. Wow. From the rooftop, you get sweeping views of the city, and surrounding volcanos.

Have a Beach Day

León is hottt. Luckily, only 15 minutes away by car (30 minutes by bus) are two beaches, Las Peñitas and Poneloya. Get out of the city for a day and hang out, surf, and watch the sunset.

Take a Walking Tour

If you’ve been around here before, you know I love a walking tour. And León is the perfect candidate. This city is full of architectural monuments, historic places, and hidden gems. Book a walking tour and learn about León’s past, present and bright future, from an expert!

★ Rated: 5 out of 5 (17 reviews)

Hike a Volcano

You don’t just have to slide down a volcano, there are many hikes you can do as well. Don’t forget to bring water!

Have a Drink and Watch the Sunset

I cannot get enough of these Nicaraguan sunsets! Although its a bit more difficult to see them in the city, no worries – head to the roof! Bar El Mirador is a great to place to experience the peak orange while enjoying an icy cold Victoria. Its the perfect end to a great day.

Weekend Trip to Granada

I know I said León is a better version of Granada, but that doesn’t mean you should never go there. Its a nice place to spend a day or two. One cool thing Granada has to offer is Volcan Masaya where you can see actual red hot lava. There are buses that run from León – Managua – Granada, its very cheap, but takes a lot longer. Or book a direct shuttle, my preferred option.

Where to Stay in León

There are a lot of great hostels in León, and if you want to meet people, this is definitely the way to go. Many hostels have connections with volcano boarding tours and can easily set you up at check in.

There are Airbnb’s in the area at a couple different price ranges, but the pickings are a little slim.

Here are some cool hostels:

Poco a Poco Hostel

Bigfoot Hostel and Volcano Boarding

Tortuga Balooda (where we stayed)

Coworking in León

Unfortunately there aren’t any proper coworking spaces in León. Instead, there are coffee shops and cafe’s with WIFI and power outlets. Here are a few:

Libelula Café

Mañana Mañana Café

Via Via

Planning a trip to Nicaragua? Check these helpful posts:

Discover the Top Places to Digital Nomad in Nicaragua

How to get to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

A Weekend on Ometepe: What to See and Do

Digital Nomad in San Juan del Sur: A Complete Guide