León Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Sleep, and Explore
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León was a blip, the sponge that soaked up my final 48 hours in Nicaragua. And though I only got a small taste of what this historic city is all about, it was enough to make me hungry for the whole meal someday. One wander through town was all I needed to know I liked this place - a nearly instant attraction. It’s friendly and timeworn, traditional and yet full of personality. The few locals I did interact with met me with the same warmth and kindness I’ve come to realize is a constant in Nicaragua. This country wants us (travelers) here, and León was refreshingly yet more proof. My time was spent boarding down Volcán Cerro Negro at sunset, drinking a bit too much on the party bus after, sitting down for breakfast at what felt like a comforting Nicaraguan version of an American diner, and strolling the colonial era streets until sunset hour when I ascended to the whitewashed rooftop of the basilica barefoot. In case you’d like to follow in my foot tracks through León, here’s what to do, what to eat, and where to stay, plus a few tips on how to get yourself to León from other points in Nicaragua.
Where to Stay in León
This is the most popular hostel in León and one that you’ll want to book well in advance to even have a chance at snagging a bed or private room. It’s well-run, well-located, and well-equipped with a pool, AC, shared kitchen, and rooftop. They even offer free activities daily for guests.
This is a great budget hostel with fan-equipped private rooms and dorms. There’s free tea and coffee in the morning, a pool, pool table, and plenty of hammocks and other seating areas around the spacious property to hang out and get to know the other guests.
Where to Eat & Drink in León
A 15-year-old French-inspired bakery cafe run by a French and Dutch duo. All of their tempting breads and pastries are baked fresh daily in the French style and can be combined with their menu of salads, sandwiches, and other breakfast and lunch fare on the menu.
Just as their name indicates, El Desayunazo is the place to go in Leon for a massive and delicious breakfast or brunch. They’re open daily from the early morning to the late afternoon and serve everything from stacks of buttery pancakes to plates of steak and eggs, fully-loaded egg sandwiches, and more.
Things to Do in León
Go Volcano Boarding Down Cerro Negro
Fly down the still-active Cerro Negro volcano and feel the warm earth beneath you as you trek across its crater. A few different hostels and companies sell the tour, but Big Foot Hostel’s combined boarding and party bus tour is the most famous.
Other highly-rated options include:
Volcano Day’s Volcano Boarding Tour - Check Availability
Vamos Travel’s Private Volcano Boarding Tour - Check Availability
Nica Up Travel’s Hike & Volcano Boarding Tour - Check Availability
Visit the Cathedral-Basilica at Sunset
It’s not often you can climb up to the roof of a cathedral and walk all over it, especially at golden hour. But at Leon’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary you can, and you really should. It’s open daily from 8:30am to 12pm and again from 2:30pm to 5pm. Entry is just $3USD.
If there was ever a place to do a free walking tour, it’s León. Wander its colonial streets and bustling central market, get the story behind its churches, murals, and monuments, and connect with a local, your guide who knows the city well. GuruWalk is my personal go-to place to look for a free walking tour. Just remember “free” really means paying what you think it’s worth via tip at the end (usually anywhere from $5 to $20 USD).
Here are a few free tours that come highly rated in León:
Urban Odyssey: Explore León with a Local Expert - Check Availability
Free Walking Tour León (The Original) - Check Availability
Free Tour of the Historic Center with Maria - Check Availability
How To Get To & From León
By Public Transportation
From Managua: Direct buses (chicken buses) to León depart out of Terminal ISRAEL and typically leave every 30 minutes starting as early as 5am and until the early evening. The length of trip is around 1.5 to 2 hours and you can expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $4 depending on whether you’re on a regular or express bus.
From El Transito: Take any bus headed to Managua and tell the driver you need to be dropped at KM 44. From there, you’ll cross the street and wait at the bus stop there for the León-bound bus from Managua. Unless it’s a Sunday, you shouldn’t have to wait long, as buses depart every half hour from Managua. Just be sure not to travel too late in the day or you may miss the last bus.
From All Other Destinations: Whether your starting point is Granada, San Juan del Sur, or Ometepe, you’ll need to get yourself to Managua first and transfer to a León-bound bus there at the Terminal ISRAEL. Details above. Keep in mind that your bus or minibus from your original destination may drop you at a different terminal than Terminal ISRAEL. If so, just use the Ray App (Nicaragua’s equivalent to Uber) to call a taxi.
By Shared Shuttle
If you’re not up for the crowded and stuffy chicken buses but don’t have the budget for a private taxi, there’s always the shared shuttle option. Many hostels and hotels offer shuttle services to major destinations throughout Nicaragua, including León, as long as there are at least two passengers headed that direction. I would start there or check Bookaway or 12Go for even more shared transport options.
By Taxi
Taxis are always a great option if you’ve got the budget for one. Here’s a guide to what you can expect to pay for a trip to León, from various locations across Nicaragua:
From Managua & Airport: $50 to $80USD for the 1.5-hour journey
From El Transito: $25 to $50USD for the 1-hour journey
From Granada: $80 to $120USD for the 2.5 to 3-hour journey
From San Juan del Sur: $120 to $150USD for the 4 to 5-hour journey
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