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Nicaragua’s second-largest city is hot! Visitors can expect temperatures of 95 °F/35 °C in the dry season (December – April). Regardless, we liked this university town and the following things to do in León, some of which are in the shade and for which you will thank us!
What to Do in León
1. León Cathedral
Don’t miss a visit to the top of the Cathedral of Leon, aka Real Renowned Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This Cathedral was built in 1747 and took over a century to complete.
During the tour, you can walk on the rooftop, which displays the best views of the city and its surrounding volcanoes.
2. Museum of Legends and Traditions
A bizarre way to spend fifteen minutes in the shade is visiting the Museo De Leyendas y Tradiciones (4a Calle SO, frente Ruinas San Sebastián).
The museum includes stories such as that of the young woman who forced men in the street to breastfeed.
3. Volcano Boarding at Cerro Negro
Most people to plan a trip to this city are visiting to hike up an active volcano called Cerro Negro and sled down it!
Volcano boarding is one of the biggest pulls for Nicaragua, with many tours leaving from hostels and tour companies.
3. Eat Tacos
Nicaraguan tacos are deep-fried shells stuffed with meat, cabbage, and delicious cream, perfectly paired with a Toña beer!
4. Lunch on Baguettes
You’ll smell Pan & Paz – French Bakery before you see it!
Take out freshly prepared bread or dine in at the cafe.
5. Tattoos in León
One of the top things to do in León for us was to get some ink done!
Quite the unusual day out, but the city does quality work at cheaper prices than back home.
Craig and I spent the afternoon with Andy at White Devil, treating ourselves to the most permanent souvenir.
6. Las Peñitas
A great way to avoid the heat, check out the natural air con of Las Peñitas.
Take the 30-minute chicken bus from the Mercadito and spend the day surfing or sunbathing, then hop back on the bus before sunset or taxi back to León when it gets dark.
Getting To León
Microbuses run between Managua and León and take around 1-2 hours.
The small minivans are more comfortable than the chicken bus journeys, which can take around four hours!
Getting Around León
León is not that big and can be discovered on foot.
Forget street names; locations are found via counting blocks.
If you are lost, ask a local.
If they don’t know, they’ll holler at the next person walking by and work it out together.
Things I’d Still Like To Do in León
- Old town – Leon-Viejo: Leon before the volcano eruption
Final Words
The main reason I like León is not the architecture or the constant whiff of meat on the grill but because the city doesn’t give two hoots that you are a tourist.
Vendors sell chicha in plastic bags, kids skip to school in their pristine uniforms, and the estimated seventeen Catholic church buildings of colonial Leon continue to crack.
Have you been to León? Are you going?
Nice roundup guys! I spent a few days in Leon recently and loved the feel of the place. It’s the sort of town I could hang out in for a little while. Oh and some guys have recently started up a free walking tour there which I’d highly recommend. I can’t remember the name of the company they’re going under, but they start from next to the big white church in the center twice a day. If anyone wants to know more they’ve got a facebook group on the go so I’m sure a quick search on there should find it. Really knowledgeable friendly guide and he gives you lots of info on the history of Leon and Nicaragua in general
Thanks for the update Matt, that’s good to know. You’ll have to go back to get the bus the paradise, Las Peñitas!
Hey guys great article We are heading to Leon tmw. What’s the tattoo place you went to? Would like to check their work
Thanks
Zuzana
White Devil was the guy! Did you get there?
Hey which tattoo studio did you go to??
Hi! White Devil, highly recommend. What are you getting?
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly! Awesome, after reading this yesterday within 2mins of walking around I came across the studio so I think it is a sign to get one done there…
I want the lunar cycle, just nor sure where abouts on my body yet.
It took us a while to find it, maps and Leòn don’t seem to go hand in hand! Are you going to Las Peñitas? Recommend it, lived there for 5 weeks this time last year.
Yes came out to Las Penitas yesterday for 2 days then back ti Leon to get my tattoo ?
Thanks so much for the helpful info!
Fab! Happy travels 🙂 Let me know if you need anything else.
The relentless heat, it’s what I remember most about León 🙂 That, and the volcano boarding, which was super, super fun. Did you go with Big Foot?
God no! Small group / native companies is usually our choice. It really was fun, I ended up with ash rock in my teeth! It’s so hot in Granada today, feels like Leon all over again.
Thanks for the terrific post on Leon. Yes, I have been there, as we lived in Granada Nicaragua for six years. It is all documented in our blog.
My favorite thing about Leon are all the murals on the walls depicting the history of Nicaragua.
Make sure you get to Ometepe for the best of Nicaragua, in my opinion.
Good to hear from you, typing from your ex home today as we speak! I could live in Granada, have been enjoying going back to the gym! I really enjoyed that part of Leon too, the utopia Nicaragua image was interesting.
Make sure you go to PURE gym for yoga and massage.
Also El Garage for lunch ( same street) and Pita Pita for dinner.
I got a week pass for the gym and classes and Pure, what a great feeling being able to work out again. We managed to miss El Garage but have dined in Pita Pita twice, falafel!! Who would have known it! Thank you for the advice. Off to Costa Rica to catch a flight to Austin tomorrow.
Great!
Look forward to having you visit our blog and reading your comments!