LEÓN, NICARAGUA

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Welcome to Nicaragua’s oldest city! With a population of just over 200,000 residents, León is a hot-spot of Nicaraguan culture, history, and art! Speaking of hot-spots, this city is surrounded by 10 volcanoes in a 70 mile radius. Be sure to explore some of them during your time here!

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Attractions:

  • Climb León Cathedral: A visit to León is incomplete without visiting its most well-known structure! For $2 USD, climb to the top with a guide to get a commanding 360 degree view of the city! In 2011, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is open from 8:00am-12:00pm & 2:00pm-4:00pm on Monday through Saturday. It also goes by ”Real and Renowned Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary”.

  • Volcano Boarding on Cerro Negro: Yes, you read that correctly - volcano boarding! The moderately challenging hike to the top takes 45 minutes-1 hour. Once at the top, get in line and wait for your turn to sled down the volcano! You can control how fast you go; leave your feet on the ground (to provide resistance) or lift them in the air (to allow for extra speed). Be careful! This experience is well worth the $30 USD ticket price (which includes transportation, gear, and a guide).

  • Explore Mercado Central: The quintessential Central American experience! This market is a must-visit (located here). I ate a large plate of gallo pinto (Nicaraguan rice and beans) for C$10 ($0.30 USD) and bought 21 bananas for C$20 ($0.60 USD)! The market is open Monday-Friday from 5:00am-6:00pm, Saturday from 5:00am-4:00pm, and Sunday from 6:00am-4:00pm.

  • Guruwalk Free Walking Tour: This 2-hour walking tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city. There is no fee for this tour; you pay what you think the tour was worth at the end.

  • Olla Quemada: Live music and dancing - need I say more?

  • Visit Las Peñitas: Looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city? Take a 25-minute taxi ride to this small fishing village on the Pacific Ocean and relax for a few hours on the beach! Expect to pay C$250 ($7 USD) each way.

  • Hike Volcán San Cristóbal: Hiking Nicaragua’s tallest volcano is a big commitment. The round-trip journey (including transport to and from the volcano) is 9-11 hours. This volcano is active and although a guide is not required, it is recommended. An all-inclusive tour (guide included) costs $60 USD.

  • Other attractions include: León Viejo, Telica Volcano Sunset Hike, Museum of Traditions and Legends, Calvary Church, and Ortíz Gurdián Foundation Art Center.

Accommodation:

  • Poco a Poco Hostel: Voted Nicaragua’s best hostel three years in a row from 2018-2020! The social area is sizable, there are hammocks everywhere, and breakfast is included! Its greatest selling point is its location though - right in the center of León and 30 minutes walking from Terminal de Buses.

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Transportation:

León’s main bus station is Terminal de Buses and where all of the below chicken buses depart from. If you choose to travel via shuttle bus, those will pick you up from your hostel.

  • Granada is 4 hours by bus from León (indirect; via Managua) and costs C$90 ($3 USD). The first bus from León to Managua is 1.5 hours and costs C$60; buses run every 30 minutes. The second bus from Managua to Granada is 1.5 hours and costs C$30; buses run every 15 minutes.

    • You can also take a 4-hour direct shuttle at 8:30am to Granada for $15 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer.

  • San Juan del Sur is 6-7 hours by bus from León (indirect; via Managua and Rivas) and costs C$135 ($4 USD). The first bus from León to Managua is 1.5 hours and costs C$60; buses run every 30 minutes. The second bus from Managua to Rivas is 3 hours and costs C$60. The third bus from Rivas to San Juan del Sur is 1 hour and costs C$15; buses run every 30 minutes.

    • You can also take a 6-hour direct shuttle at 8:30am to San Juan del Sur for $35 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer.

  • Ometepe Island is 7-8 hours by bus and ferry from León (indirect; via Managua, Rivas, and San Jorge) and costs C$165 ($5 USD). The first bus from León to Managua is 1.5 hours and costs C$60; buses run every 30 minutes. The second bus from Managua to Rivas is 3 hours and costs C$60. The third bus from Rivas to San Jorge is 15 minutes and costs C$10; buses run every 30 minutes. Ferries from San Jorge to Ometepe Island leave every 30-45 minutes from 7:00am-5:45pm. Be sure to get a ticket going to Moyogalpa (not San José del Sur). The ferry is 1 hour and costs C$35.

    • You can also take a 6 hour direct shuttle at 8:30am to San Jorge for $35 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer.

  • Tegucigalpa, Honduras is 11-12 hours by bus from León (indirect; via Managua) and costs C$1,170 ($34 USD). The first bus from León to Managua is 1.5 hours and costs C$60; buses run every 30 minutes. The second bus from Managua to Tegucigalpa is 9.5 hours and costs C$1,100. I recommend booking this ticket online via Transnica in advance because this route only runs once daily (10:30am).

    • At the border, there is a $3 USD Nicaraguan exit fee and a $3 USD Honduran entrance fee.

    • You can also take a 6-hour direct shuttle at 2:00am to Tegucigalpa for $50 USD via Roneey Shuttle.

  • San Salvador, El Salvador is 14-16 hours by bus from León (indirect; via Managua) and costs C$1,260 ($37 USD). The first bus from León to Managua is 1.5 hours and costs C$60; buses run every 30 minutes. The second bus from Managua to San Salvador is 14 hours and costs C$1,200. I recommend booking this ticket online via Ticabus in advance because this route only runs twice daily (5:00am and 11:00am).

    • At the border, there is a $3 USD Nicaraguan exit fee. There is no El Salvadorian entrance fee.

    • You can also take a 12.5-hour direct shuttle at 2:00am to El Tunco (near San Salvador) for $40 USD via Roneey Shuttle.

  • Antigua, Guatemala is 16-18 hours by direct shuttle bus from León and costs $60 USD. This shuttle picks you up at your hostel in León at 2:00am and arrives in Antigua at approximately 6:00pm.

    • At the border, there is a $3 USD Nicaraguan exit fee. There is no Guatemalan entrance fee.

The closest airport to León is Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua. This airport is 100km (62 miles) from León and accessible via chicken/shuttle bus or taxi.

  • Chicken Bus to Shuttle Bus: This route is 2.5 hours and costs C$90 ($3 USD). Board the first chicken bus you see heading to UCA Microbus Terminal (45 minutes; C$30). Once here, purchase your ticket to León (1.5 hours; C$60).

  • Two Shuttle Buses: This route is 2 hours and costs C$410 ($12 USD). Hail a taxi heading to UCA Microbus Terminal (20 minutes; C$350). Once here, purchase your ticket to León (1.5 hours; C$60).

  • One Shuttle Bus: The 2-hour ride costs $23 USD.

  • Taxi: The 2-hour ride costs $30 USD.

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Thank you, Engelmog (for the photo atop León Cathedral), and my dear friend, Nelson (for the night photography)!