5 Exciting Ways to Spend Time in León, Nicaragua 

The colourful city of León is located in western Nicaragua and has long been at the heart of the country’s political and cultural life, including as its one time national capital.

Founded in 1524, albeit not at its current location, León has been home to some of Nicaragua’s most well-known poets and at the centre of Nicaragua’s revolutionary history. Couple this with a striking array of historical buildings and it’s not surprising that León is a popular place to stop for visitors to Nicaragua.

I visited León as part of a group trip through Central America and my time there was short but sweet! In this post, I’ll suggest 5 exciting ways to spend your time in León. I’ll answer a few frequently asked questions and give you some further options to add to your itinerary. I’ll also offer up a general travel guide and some tips so you can enjoy your time in Leon Nicaragua!

Frequently Asked Questions

Before setting out my recommendations of things to do in Leon, it’s worth answering a few frequently asked questions:

1. Is Leon worth visiting?

Yes! Leon is Nicaragua’s second largest city after Managua but it isn’t that big and it’s easy to get around on foot. Its role in Nicaragua’s history not to mention its colonial architecture and its surrounding areas mean Leon is definitely worth adding to your Nicaragua itinerary.  

2. When is the best time to visit Leon?

The best time to visit Leon, and Nicaragua more generally, is in the dry season. This runs from December to April. Obviously, this is also the high season so expect prices to be a little higher and crowds a little larger. I visited in March and the weather was perfect!

3. How many days should I spend in Leon?

As I mentioned above, I visited Leon as part of a larger trip through Central America. As a result, I was only in Leon for a couple of days. On reflection, I think a period of 2-4 days in Leon would be a good amount of time to experience what the city and the surrounding area has to offer.

4. Is Leon Safe?

In my experience, yes, Leon is safe. It goes without saying of course that no place is 100% crime free but if you are sensible, protect your valuables and money and don’t take any unnecessary risks, then your time in Leon should be uneventful in that regard. As with any trip however, you should ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance in the event that something does go wrong. 

Staying online in Nicaragua

If you like to stay online when travelling, either to keep in touch with family and friends, update social media, make bookings or use google maps, but you don’t want to incur roaming charges from your home provider, then consider an eSim from Airalo.

Easy to install, an eSim avoids the need to buy a local Sim card (and risk losing your home Sim when taking it out!) and allows you to continue using your own phone number for calls and texts.

I have used data packages purchased from Airalo on several occasions now, including in Central America, and can highly recommend them. When time is of the essence as it can be when travelling, accessing online resources can be a real time saver. For solo travellers, it can also be a comfort to know you have online access all the time.

What to do in Leon

There are plenty of things to see and do in this colourful corner of Nicaragua, but here are my 5 suggested ways to spend time in Leon:

1. Go Volcano boarding!  

Who doesn’t want to hike up the active Cerro Negro volcano and hurtle down the other side on a plywood board! An adrenaline rush for sure, this is one of the most popular activities to do from León. There are a number of volcano boarding tours available to you with prices starting from around $50 USD per person. Check out these popular options:

To learn more about my experience boarding down Cerro Negro be sure to check out my post Volcano Boarding Nicaragua – What you Need to Know for a Thrilling Ride.

Volcano boarding is definitely one of the fun things to do in Leon but it’s not without some danger. It’s therefore very much an activity you will do at your own risk.

2. Climb to the Top of the Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary (also known as the Royal and Renowned Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is the largest cathedral in Central America. Although construction of the current cathedral began in 1747 and finished in 1814, it wasn’t until 1860 that the Cathedral was finally consecrated. It has 34 domes which provide ventilation and light and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Leon Cathedral is located in the León’s Parque Central, the main square in Leon…you can’t miss it! Whilst the interior is very impressive, the views from the roof are amazing. There’s a charge of USD 3 to climb up and you do need to take your shoes off before walking out onto the roof.

Tickets are available from an office at the back of the Cathedral.

3. Walk the Historic Streets

In addition to just spending some time in Parque Central, you should explore the surrounding streets. Getting out and about either with a guide or on your own (with a guidebook!) is always a great way to get your bearings and learn about a city. The streets of León are teeming with people, bright colours and history yet it’s a very walkable city.

If you’ve visited my blog before you’ll know I’m a big fan of walking tours. One company I have used previously, including in Antigua Guatemala, is Guruwalk. Check out this free walking tour they offer in Leon.

Alternatively, you may want to consider these walking tours.

4. Check Out the Street Art

As you wander around León, you will notice quite a bit of street art.

Brightly painted murals and flags commemorating Nicaragua’s revolutionary past not only add further vibrancy to the city, but also illustrate the importance and esteem in which the past is held in León. In particular, the city’s affinity with the left wing revolution and Sandinista movement is richly portrayed.

You can learn more about Leon’s street art in this free walking tour.

5. Count the Churches!

León is home to many beautiful, historical churches in addition to the Cathedral. As you explore the city, do look out for:

• Iglesia de la Recolección – the bright yellow church which was built in 1786
• Iglesia El Cavario – this colourful church is believed to have been built in the first half of the 18th century  
• Iglesia de la Merced – built around 1762, this church is dedicated to Leon’s Patron Saint, La Virgin de la Merced
• Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Subtiaba – built in the 1530s and reconstructed in 1710
• Iglesia de San Francisco – dating from 1639, it’s one of the oldest churches in Leon

All are very different but equally ornate and important to Leon.

Extra Time in Leon?

If you have more time in Leon than I did or you’re looking for some other options to add to your itinerary then you may want to consider:

• joining this food tour
• visiting the Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolucion)
• joining this hike up Telica Volcano
• visiting the Ortiz-Gurdian Foudation Art Museum (Museo de Arte Fundación Ortiz-Gurdian)
• hiking the El Hoyo volcano
• making day trips to places such as Somoto Canyon
• shopping for fruit, meat and vegetables at Leon’s central market
• taking this excursion to Leon Viejo ruins
• heading to the beach at Las Penitas on the chicken bus!
• taking Spanish classes

Vegetarian and vegans will also be delighted to know about the existence of plant based restaurant, Coco Calala. Having travelled with people who are vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten free, I know how hard it can be to find places to eat. I did not dine here but it does seem to get great reviews so one to include in the itinerary!  

Travel Tips

As I mentioned earlier, Leon has more of a smaller town feel to it than larger city and it’s easy to explore on foot. That said, here’s a few travel tips that can help enhance your time there:

• Leon get very hot so stay hydrated and wear sunscreen
• wear comfortable shoes when you’re out exploring and be aware of cobbled and uneven streets
• be respectful when in Churches, especially when it comes to what you are wearing
• be careful with your belongings, especially in crowded places or when traveling at night
• learning a few Spanish phrases beforehand will stand you in good stead

Final Thoughts

Whether you are visiting León for a short time or a long time, I’m sure you will have a great time!

From boarding down an active volcano to guided walks, from beaches to churches, there are many wonderful things to see and exciting ways to spend your time in León. It’s a vibrant, colourful corner of Nicaragua and one that deserves to be included in your itinerary.

If you are planning to visit the city of Granada (a couple of hours drive away) then do read my post 6 Great Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua.  If you’re planning a larger trip to Central America then do read the other posts on my Central America page and check my Resources page for extra travel planning advice and help.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.