Things to see and do on a trip to León Nicaragua

León is one of the most culturally rich cities in Nicaragua, and for many years was home to some of the country’s most renowned poets and artists. It is located just 100 km from the capital of Nicaragua, and although it is often overshadowed by other cities such as Granada, the truth is that more and more tourists come to see the charms of this beautiful university city where culture and tradition are mixed. León, Nicaragua, is definitely a city full of charm that hides a thousand stories.

In this post we have set out to tell you everything you need to know to organise your trip to León. We start with a list of the essential things to see in the city and then move on to visit the surrounding area. We have also prepared some recommendations of hotels for all budgets and restaurants, so that you can enjoy the local gastronomy. Is this your first trip to Nicaragua? If so, don’t miss our travel tips to help you get around the country.

What are the best things to do in León?

1. House Museum of the Poet Rubén Dario

Rubén Dario spent several years of his childhood in León, so the house where he lived has been preserved and transformed into a museum. The original furniture is still preserved and photographs and manuscripts of the poet are also on display.

Admission is free and the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm. On Sundays it is only open in the morning until 12:00h.

2. The Basilica of Leon Nicaragua

The Cathedral of Leon, also known as the Basilica-Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an obligatory stop on your visit to the city. It is the largest cathedral in all of Central America and one of the oldest, having been built in the early 19th century in the electric style. Today it has a title of a World Heritage Site because its robustness has made it stand the test of time, withstanding wars, eruptions and earthquakes.

The interior is simple, but houses the tombs of some of the country’s most famous poets, such as Rubén Darío. You can also stroll around its white façade. The cathedral is open from 10am to 7pm daily except for Sundays, when opening hours are governed by masses.

3. Old Leon, the original city

Part of the original city founded in 1524 is still preserved today. We say part because only a few ruins remained after the eruption of the Momotombo volcano and the earthquakes. For this reason, they decided to move the city to where it is located today, 40 km away.

After being abandoned for many years and thanks to the work of archaeologists, the city was opened to the public and can now be visited for 5€. There are daily buses from La Paz Centro that will take you there in 10 minutes, or you can also take a taxi.

4. Museum of the Revolution in León, Nicaragua

The Centro de Arte Fundación Ortiz Gurdián is considered the best contemporary art centre in Central America. Its buildings display works of art dating from the 15th century to the present day, including paintings by artists such as the renowned Nicaraguan painter Armando Morales, as well as works by world-famous artists such as Rubens, Miró, Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Fernando Botero and Roberto Matta.

It is composed of six residences with wide corridors, halls and gardens, built between the 18th and 19th centuries, which are samples of the most authentic colonial architecture of León and historical bastions for their designs and styles. These residences belonged to illustrious families of the city, and were acquired and restored in 1999 by the Ortiz Gurdián family. These residences are: Casa Norberto Ramirez, Casa Derbyshire, Casa Martha Juarez, Casa Francisco Juarez, Casa Deshon and Casa Delgadillo.

5. Museum of Legends and Traditions

This museum tells the story of the Revolution as told by the Sandinistas themselves through newspaper clippings and photographs. It is a very interesting museum to understand the history of León and Nicaragua. Admission is free, but a donation is expected. The museum is open daily from 9:00h to 16:00h.

6. Museum of Legends and Traditions

León is a city that hides a thousand secrets that have been passed down from generation to generation through legends and myths. This curious museum contains many of these stories, which the guide will tell you in detail. You will also discover during the tour the history of the building, which used to be a prison and a place of torture.

The entrance with guided tour costs 50 córdobas and the museum is open daily from 8:00h to 17:00h.

7. Church of San Francisco

Located on Calle Real in León, this church presents a mixture of various styles: an eclectic exterior and a colonial-baroque style interior.  The Church of San Francisco is one of the oldest temples in the city of León, built in 1639, together with the convent of the same name. Two of Nicaragua’s finest altars of the purest Spanish Plateresque style are preserved in the church.

The celebration of La Purísima originated in this church, during the night of the 7th of December. This is where the Gritería, Nicaragua’s largest religious manifestation, takes place. It also houses the image of San Benito de Palermo, a prodigious and much loved image, in whose honour mass has been celebrated since 1924, the object of mass devotion every Holy Monday, when the image is carried in procession through the streets of León.

The Convent of San Francisco is the first and oldest convent with its church in the city of León. Today the Hotel El Convento is one of the best boutique hotels in Nicaragua, which dazzles with its decoration and beautiful colonial garden.

8. La Recolleccion Church

La Recolleccion Church is one of the most important baroque churches in Nicaragua. Today it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in León, whose lavishly decorated façade has ended up on the cover of many magazines. The construction of the Iglesia La Recolección heralded the arrival of Mexican baroque in León. The broad baroque façade is considered the most important of this artistic movement in León. The interior of the church has a notable neoclassical influence.

The construction of the Church La Recolección began in December 1786 under the orders of Bishop Juan Félix de Villegas. The Iglesia La Recolección was declared National Artistic Heritage, according to a decree published in La Gaceta in 1983.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around León, Nicaragua?

1. Cerro Negro Volcano

This small volcano, at just 725 metres high, is one of the youngest in the world. It can be climbed on foot (the walk takes about an hour) and from the top you can see the entire volcanic chain that runs from the Telica volcano to San Cristóbal.

Although the climb can be a little tough, it’s worth it for the descent, which you can do by running, walking or sliding on a kind of sled. This activity is known as Volcanoboarding and you can hire equipment there.

The entrance fee is €5 and there are no buses from the city, so you’ll have to go by taxi or private vehicle.

2. The beaches of León Nicaragua

There are two beaches in León that are ideal for relaxing, sunbathing or playing in the waves. They are well-equipped with services such as restaurants and hotels, and are only 20 km from the city. You can easily get there by bus, which leaves every hour from the centre and takes half an hour to get there. The fare is 13 córdobas.

The two beaches are called Playa Peñitas and Poneloya. Across the Telica River and at the end of Poneloya is another beach called Los Brasiles which is characterised by its virgin state and is usually always very quiet.

What to see in 1 day in León?

The city of León can easily be seen in one day, in fact, it’s a perfect getaway to do if you’re staying in Managua or Granada. In one day you can see the city centre, the cathedral and the museums. If you drive your own car, you can also see the volcano and León Viejo.

If you prefer a more leisurely trip, we recommend spending at least 3 days here so that you can take in the surrounding area without rushing. The region is beautiful and there is plenty to do.

Where and what to eat in León, Nicaragua?

León has a very varied gastronomy, with a wide variety of dishes typical of the region. Most of them share ingredients with the rest of Central American cuisine. We are talking about corn, beans and plantains among others. Here are some of the best known:

• Gallo pinto: is a rice dish with beans.
• Nacatamal: is a dough filled with meat and vegetables cooked inside a banana leaf. It is very similar to tamales.
• Buñuelos: sweet corn dough balls filled with cheese.

Here’s a list of some of the best restaurants in town to try these delicacies.

• El Desayunazo: It’s the ideal place to start the day on the right foot. They prepare the best breakfasts in town, but you can also go for lunch or brunch. At a very affordable price, you can have breakfast like a real Nicaraguan. What’s more, the quantities are enormous.
• Carnivoro: is a local restaurant specializing in meat. Among its dishes, we highlight the churrasco, a classic. You can eat well for around €25-30.
• El Sesteo: is one of the city’s most reputable restaurants. It’s located in the cathedral square and the food is good, but the views are unbeatable. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s a great place to eat.

Where to stay in Leon?

León is a very touristy city in Nicaragua, so there is a wide range of hotels to suit all budgets. You’ll find everything from fully equipped hotels to backpacker hostels. There are also rooms for rent in many flats in the city. Here are a few of our favourite places to stay:

• Hostal El Rio: This simple and cosy hostel is the best place to save on your trip. From €8 you can spend the night in a bunk bed and have access to shared spaces such as garden, kitchen and living room. Breakfast is included in the price.
• Hostal Casa Abierta: is a beautiful guest house with a lovely garden and swimming pool. It also has a restaurant and bar on the terrace. The price per night is around €30 and the continental breakfast is €3.
• Hotel la Perla Leon: This 4-star hotel is one of the most luxurious and comfortable in the city. It has a swimming pool and rooms with all the comforts. The price per night is around €130 and includes breakfast.

How to get to León?

León does not have its own airport, the nearest being in the country’s capital. Therefore, the only way to reach the municipality is by road or bus. These are the main cities from where you can go to León, Nicaragua:

• Managua Airport: From Managua airport you can get there by taxi for about 100 cordobas or by bus for 24 cordobas which takes 1h and 15. You can also share a taxi for 40 cordobas.

• Managua: There are three buses from Managua to León that take 1.5 hours and cost 60-71 córdobas. The one that leaves from the Israel Lewites Market has a 30-minute frequency, and the minibuses leave every time they fill up.
• Esteli: Buses leave several times a day from the north and south stations. They take about 2 hours and cost 90 córdobas.
• Chinandega: There is a bus every 20 minutes, which takes 1.5 hours and costs 20 córdobas, and another minibus every time it is full. The minibus costs 37 cordobas but only takes 40 minutes.

What should I consider before travelling to León?

• No visa is required to enter Nicaragua, but a passport valid for at least 6 months is required.
• The city is safe, but you are advised to exercise caution and keep an eye on your belongings.
• No vaccinations are required to enter the country if you are travelling from Spain.
• The official language in Nicaragua is Spanish.
• The country’s currency is the córdobas.
• It is best to change money before you start your trip, as there are shops and restaurants that do not accept credit cards.
• The climate is warm all year round, but between June and December is the rainy season.
• Avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water.
• Be prepared for medical emergencies – travel with insurance.

How to prepare what things to do in León, Nicaragua?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can get inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in León, Nicaragua.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to León