leon, NI
Leon is Nicaragua's second largest city. I remember when I heard that for the first time I was shocked. It's not a big city by the rest of the world's comparisons at all, and it's the 2nd largest in the entire country. With only about 210,000 people. Yes that's a lot of people, but not to be a country's 2nd largest. Additionally when you are walking around Leon, it doesn't necessarily feel like a big city. There are no tall buildings, no highways in the city, none of that. It wasn't my favorite of the larger cities in Nicaragua to be honest. If I had to choose, I would almost always choose Granada. The Lake town in the middle. I found Leon to be just fine. There are things to do and see in Leon but it's a chaotic, hot city, with not all that much to do. What do I know though? Some people that I know loved Leon. Maybe I just had a 'meh' experience. That being said, Leon is 100% somewhere that you need to come in Nicaragua. The city itself and the few things to do around the city are some of the must do's in the country and if you miss them, you are making a mistake. Most people who come to Leon are here to do the world-famous volcano boarding at Cerro Negro. It's a stunning and amazing thing to do. A landscape like I have never seen in my entire life, and one of the more memorable natural things that I have ever done. There's more on that below, but that's pretty much why everyone hits this place, — in addition to the beautiful white church in the center of the city. For me though, I don't think you need more than a few days in Leon. There's a handful of hostels here that will be full of travelers making their way through the countries of Central America, some nice little places to eat, a few touristic things, and a nightlife scene should you decide to take part. For me a few days, and a trip to the volcano is plenty here. It's brutally hot, and you run out of stuff to do in actual Leon fast.
Leon is simple to get to. Being the second biggest city in the country, you can get here from almost anywhere by bus. A lot of the shuttle companies from around the country and from Honduras and Costa Rica to the north and south will drop you off here anyways. So that being said you shouldn't have too much trouble.
The city itself is located in North Western Nicaragua. It's pretty close to the coast, and within 45 minutes you can be at the beach, and some of the best waves in the world. So anyone traveling around and surfing the central or northern part of the country will probably find themselves in Leon at some point. From the international airport in Managua, you are about a 2-hour drive away. There are many daily buses and collectivos from Managua that can easily get you to Leon.
When you get to Leon, it's hard to get lost. The city isn't huge, like I have said, and you can walk anywhere that you want. The center of the town is the square here. Use it as your point of reference for everything.
- BUS FROM MANAGUA - Get a bus from the bus terminal in front of UCA (Universidad Centroamericana). These are the express buses, which are much faster and more comfortable than the public buses. It will cost $1.60. So it's not expensive, and much more comfortable than the cheaper chicken bus.
If you are coming from another country, and you are taking a big bus, then you will likely be dropped off in Managua, so refer to the above to get from Managua to Leon. Tica Bus is the king of transporting you throughout these Central American countries. Use them.
HOSTELS, CAMPING, AND HOTELS (IF ANY)
Leon has an established hostel scene. — One of the better hostel scenes in the country. But it isn't that big. There are only a few of them, but you have everything you could want. Like any good hostel scene, you are going to have your pick of the litter. There are mellow options, there are homey options, and then of course you are also going to have your party-hostel options that are full of 22-year-old guys from the UK. But hey, you find this everywhere!
I won't get into any hotel options or anything, but there will be great options for cheap private rooms as well if you are traveling with a partner or something.
The most popular hostel in town I would say. It's a party hostel, but the thing that makes it so popular is that they are probably the biggest provider and operator for the tours to the volcano. If you stay here you will immediately have a group of friends to do the volcano-boarding with. They take you up in a chicken bus, and you get drunk pretty much the whole time.
Small little intimate hostel that is owned by a few Europeans. It's mellow, but also really social. This to me is the best middle-ground option in town. You will meet people, but it won't be 'party', and the people I met there I still stay in touch with.
A really good option as well. This place is small, but it has a nice vibe to it. It's also really cheap. For me, 'Bigfoot' is too much, and this is a better option. I don't know, check them out and see what you would prefer. It's a lot cheaper than 'Poco a Poco'. $10 per night here, so if budget is your goal, check out The Spot.
Another option for housing here in Leon. Cheap, at $11 a night. Right across the street from Bigfoot. It's a nice spot as well.
EATS
If you have your own vehicle I highly recommend spending a night up at the base of Cerro Negro. It costs like $5 to camp up there, and it's one of the most amazing places I have ever slept. You rent your volcano board from the rangers, and then hike up yourself for sunrise. It's stunning. If you love camping and want to do this without a car, you can also rent your own tent. It's just more difficult.
I am not a huge fan of Nicaraguan food. Maybe I had been in Central America for too long by the time I got here and was tired of rice and beans and some chicken. But that's just me.
After being in the rural north for a long time it was nice to come to Leon and have the option to go to a restaurant. Leon is going to be one of the only places in the country that has good international options, but in my opinion the food options were a lot better in Granada.
Below are the places that I had liked in Leon.
Restaurants
Nice veggie restaurant with a garden patio vibe, to eat at.
Cool restaurant with tacos and other stuff, as well as good drinks. Very very nice atmosphere inside as well.
A popular spot for breakfast right near the church in the main square. Trendy-looking little spot inside with western-style food and breakfasts.
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Slightly more upscale place here that will have Mediterranean food, pizza, pastas and the like.
Great little local spot to come and get breakfast or a local plate.
Nice place to come and get an acai bowl or a healthy smoothie or something like that.
NIGHTLIFE
Leon has a nightlife scene for sure. If you are a backpacker, your nightlife scene will be centered on the hostel party at Bigfoot most likely. But outside of that there are some clubs and bars in Leon that are totally worth hitting if you are looking to go out.
Additionally, there's a really popular place that everyone goes for sunset. A rooftop bar that was my favorite thing I did from a drinking perspective in Leon.
SIGHTS
Bars and Clubs
The most popular late night place in Leon. It is a big discotheque or club that fills up with backpackers and locals all the weekend nights, and most nights of the week. — Probably the most famous place for nightlife in Leon.
This was my favorite place to get a drink in Leon. I came every evening that I was here I think. It's a crowded and lively bar around sunset every night. The terrace has a great view of the city and the sunset. The rooftop will be full of locals and tourists alike getting their evenings started, or just having a drink with friends.
The hostel is also a bar and it gets going almost every night. If you are staying here, good luck going to sleep early. There's your typical hostel parties in here almost every night.
Basic little bar if you are looking for somewhere to drink.
Brewery spot that also has some pretty good pizza. Nice place to come get a beer other than a Tona. I don't know why you would ever want to do that, but do you.
Another basic little bar if you are looking for somewhere to finish a few off for no real reason.
Leon and the surrounding area has some of the better sights and things to see in the country. Some of the things that when you Google Nicaragua, — those are the pictures you are going to see. So for that reason a lot of people come here.
If you come to Leon and you don't do these things, then you are doing it wrong.
This is the famous sandboarding. You can take a tour through multiple companies from down in Leon. It's about a half-day trip, and you have to hike up the volcano after arriving at the base of it. Then from the top you ride down on a wooden pallet that is in the shape of a board. It's a pretty unique and amazing thing. You're also dressed up in this orange suit like Walter White from 'Breaking Bad'.
I have a personal recommendation. If you have your own vehicle, make sure that you drive up there yourself. You can camp up top for like $5, and you can rent the volcano boards from the rangers at the entrance. It's one of the most unique places I have ever had the fortune of sleeping.
The landscape up here is absolutely amazing. Otherworldly. It's like being on Mars. Go do this.
This place is called 'Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary' but it's just typically referred to by everyone as 'the white church', because of its pristine white painted roof. It's a must-do in Leon, and it's pretty stunning to see as well.
WALKING TOUR
Lots of history in Leon when it comes to revolutions, and colonialism, and previous conflicts, so there's a lot to learn. If you like walking tours, then this is a nice one.
WALK AROUND AND ENJOY THE STREET ART
Leon is a nice colonial city. There's lots of street art on the walls, and it's nice to look at. A lot of it is really politically fueled, and there's a lot of anti-CIA art on the walls, so it's pretty interesting.
SURFING
You can go surf a volcano, but that's it.