When we left Guatemala to head to Nicaragua we fully intended to make beautiful colonial Leon our home base. It looked and sounded so cool!
But the travel gods had other ideas and because of the Honduras border drama (see Our Epic Journey). Granada ended up being our landing pad in Nicaragua and we stayed there. We loved the colonial feel of Granada and were still keen to check out Leon so we headed off for a couple of nights.
About Leon
Leon is a city located in northwestern Nicaragua, known for its rich history, culture, and colonial architecture. Founded in 1524, it is one of the oldest cities in the country. The original city was 30 kilometers east but was abandoned in 1610 after numerous earthquakes created by a volcanic eruption (Nicaragua is on the Ring of Fire). These are now the ruins of Leon Viejo. Leon Viejo was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2000.
Both Leon & Granada have been the capital of Nicaragua. In 1852 Managua became the permanent capital. Leon is a cultural hub of Nicaragua and celebrates many festivals and cultural events throughout the year, it’s most famous being the Independence Fair in September.
Leon Is Hot!
Whenever you mention Leon as a destination the first thing people say is “muchas colores” which means it is very hot. This is even what the Nica locals say! Leon is seriously hot to the point that you can’t really plan to do too much during the middle of the day. It is best to get out & about early in the morning then head back to your accommodation during the midday heat and cool off in the pool. Definitely book a place with a pool. The city comes to life again when the sun sets and the temperature drops.
Getting There
In Nicaragua there are many methods of getting around. Just not Uber! Generally we choose the most cost effective mode but keep in mind comfort & safety. We also need to consider Clive & Macy’s comfort in our choice as well; what we are OK with as adults may differ from to their perspective. Local buses/microbuses & public shuttles are no problem to travel on in Nicaragua and very cost effective.
Check out our general information page Travelling & Living in Nicaragua for detailed information on international & local transport such as destinations, departure locations and travel tips.
Travelling to Leon from Granada involves a microbus trip from Granada to Managua, then a public shuttle bus from Managua to Leon. Changing in Managua is simple as the bus arrives and the shuttle departs from the same terminal. It’s also a small bus terminal. People are generally helpful so just ask if you can’t find your bus. They have good destination signage and generally an ‘ayudante’ calling out the bus destination.
Grab a seat and enjoy the constant flow of “sellers” that work the aisle of the bus. Fruit, vege’s, water, drinks, toothpaste, pillows and the list goes on. It doesn’t end when your bus departs. Along the way people board to sell their wares. Jumping on and off and squeezing their way through the crowded bus. No such thing as personal space on a bus in Nicaragua!
Out & About
Walking Tour of Colonial Leon
We really enjoyed the walking tour of Colonial Leon. From the history of Leon, the amazing churches and traditional food tasting at the Mercado, it was fun & informative. It is essentially a ‘free’ tour but you tip the tour guide as payment. The Original Free Walking Tour – Leon
Museum of Legends & Traditions of Colonial Leon
El Museo de Tradiciones y Leyendas, is a museum housed in an old prison building that was used from 1921 to 1979. The prison has a brutal & cruel past that is depicted by displays and the eerie audio that plays. Lot’s of information about the tumultuous history of Nicaragua & Leon and the traditions & legends passed down through the local people.
You can definitely feel the dark history of the place and it’s pretty graphic. It might be best to be conscious of this if you have children.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary (Leon Cathedral)
This stunning cathedral holds pride of place in the centre of Leon. It is construction spanned from 1747 until 1814. It is the largest cathedral in Central America and is known for it is unique eclectic architecture, history and culture.
Seven tunnels under the church lead to the seven other churches within the city of Colonial Leon. It also has seven cellars which are designed to provide stability during an earthquake. One of the cellars is the entranceway to the seven tunnels. It has 34 domes which help with light and ventilation. This unique feature means that the cathedral is one of the best naturally illuminated cathedrals in the America’s.
Leon Cathedral was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2011.
Las Penitas & Poneloya Beach
One of the reasons Leon initially appealed to us as a home base was its proximity to the beach. Las Penitas is only about 20kms from Leon and easily reached by bus. Check out Centrocoasting for more info.
Clive ended up being unwell on the day we planned to go the beach, so we never made it there!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Volcano Hostel. It was great, spacious room, a great pool to cool off in. It has a relaxed friendly vibe and a convenient tienda (shop) at the entrance with groceries & beverages. Perfecto!
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