10 Wonderful Things To Do in León, Nicaragua
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León is my favourite city in Nicaragua. It is rich in Nicaraguan history and culture. Its proximity to volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean adds to its allure. I definitely underestimated this city. In this post, I share 10 wonderful things to do in León, Nicaragua.
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<3 Dominique
1) Volcano boarding
Nicaragua is the top destination in the world for volcano boarding and is what draws most backpackers to León. This is because León is the closest city to Cerro Negro – a volcano that is suitable for the sport. There are plenty of volcano boarding tours departing from León.
Volcano boarding involves hiking up Cerro Negro – the youngest volcano in Central America and one of the most active. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy gorgeous views of León, the surrounding farmlands, and the Cordillera Los Maribios mountain range. To get back down, you will then ride a wooden board down the smoother, steeper slopes of Cerro Negro.
This is the TOP thing to do in León that draws about 20,000 visitors each year.
2) Climb to the roof of the largest cathedral in Central America
León is home to the largest cathedral in Central America. León Cathedral aka the Basilica Cathedral (official name: Real e Insigne Basílica de la Asunción de la Bienaventurada Virgen María or Royal Renowned Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is an imposing figure in the central plaza. The massive, pristine white, eclectic church is hard to miss.
In 1762, architects began developing the cathedral, and by 1812, they completed it. It is one of three UNESCO recognized cultural landmarks in Nicaragua. Visiting the Basilica Cathedral ranks among the absolute best things to do in León, Nicaragua.
For $3 USD, you can climb to the roof of the cathedral for the best panoramic views of León. There are also crypts in the basement where you will find tombs of prominent Nicaraguans like Rubén Darío.
The Cathedral of León is open year round and hours are as follows:
- Monday to Saturday: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm / 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
- Sundays: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- (Last access 30 min. before closing )
Holy Week hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 8:30 am – 12 pm*
* Hours during Holy Week and holidays subject to change without prior notice.
3) Go on Free Walking Tour or Food Tour
I got my bearings in Rome by doing a food tour with a local. Ever since that experience, I highly recommend doing a food tour on your first day in any city. It is the perfect introduction to any locale as it immerses you in the local culture (what does that better than food?!) and is the most fun and educational means to orient yourself.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t include this specific food tour via Viator. However, given its high rating on TripAdvisor, I recommend trying it out!
For those on a budget, there are free walking tours via GuruWalk available in León (don’t forget to tip!).
Calvario prominent in the center. Source: WikiCommons.
4) Visit the Museo de la Revolución
This seems like a great time for a brief Nicaraguan history lesson…
Nicaragua has had a tumultuous few decades due to the Nicaraguan Revolution where the Sandinistas first led an opposition against the Somoza dictatorship (1979 – 1990) and then subsequently (and simultaneously?) waged war with US-backed Contras (1981 – 1990). León has always played a central role in Nicaragua’s left-wing political movements and maintains strong ties with the Sandinista movement.
The Museo de la Revolución offers an overview of the Nicaraguan revolutionaries who stood up against the Somoza dictatorship. What makes this museum unique is the opportunity to be shown around by the former revolutionaries who can show you their scars and tell you all about their role in the conflict.
Nicaragua travel etiquette tip: while it is tempting to discuss the current state of affairs with the locals, especially in a charming university town such as León, don’t. Don’t do it if you ever want to be welcomed back.
The museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and costs $3 USD to enter. The entrance fee includes a guide and the tour takes about an hour.
5) Enjoy the street art
Street art is prevalent in León. As the (unofficial) base of the Sandinista movement, the street art became an integral part of political expression in the city.
As you walk around León, you will see street art depicting the repression experienced by the Nicaraguans in the 1950s, the unrest after the assassination of the president in 1956, and tributes to the heroes of the Nicaraguan Revolution. Even when the Sandinistas faced a democratic political defeat in the 1990s, the political murals in León remained intact when most across the country were defaced.
I listed enjoying the street art as one of my top things to do in León for the art’s unique history.
6) See one of the many churches
León has the most churches per capita than any other area in Nicaragua. Even if you’re not a religious, it is hard not to appreciate the beauty, architecture, and history of these buildings.
Some notable churches:
- Iglesia La Recolección – Built in 1786, this church in the Mexican baroque-style is considered the city’s most beautiful.
- Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Sutiava – Originally built in the 1500s, this is the oldest church in Léon and is considered the main temple after the Basilica Cathedral.
churches in León.
7) Shop at Mercado Central
One of my favourite things to do when I travel is to visit the local market and learn about the local produce and delicacies. Mercado Central is a popular market in León and was recently renovated. Stop by to browse, eat and observe local daily life. The market is open daily from about 5 am to 6 pm.
8) Take dancing lessons
If you’re looking to learn some Latin dancing, there is a popular dance school in León called Leoncitos de la Salsa. You can learn to dance salsa, bachata, merengue in a colonial-style house. Beginner, intermediate and advanced dance students are welcomed as this dance school offers lessons for every level. You can book your preferred dance lesson in advance here.
9) Visit Museo Rubén Dario
Rubén Dario was an influential poet, journalist, and diplomat. He is considered to be the father of Modernismo, a Spanish language literary and cultural movement that swept both Latin America and Europe during the 19th century and had lasting influence into the 20th. He was also Nicaraguan.
You can find Museo Rubén Dario in León. The museum was Dario’s childhood home. Visit the museum if you want more context on one of Nicaragua’s most famous heroes and get a glimpse of what life was like for wealthy Nicaraguans in the 1800s.
The museum is open year round and hours are as follows:
- Tuesday to Saturday : 8:00 am – 12:00 pm / 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Closed on Mondays and national holidays
10) Go on a day trip
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America and the least densely populated. There are plenty of natural and cultural treasures to be discovered but they are very spread out. There are plenty of awesome day trips departing from León.
Some natural attractions that are accessible via León:
- Cerro Negro
- Volcán El Hoyo
- Lago Asososca
- Volcán Telica
- Somoto Canyon
- Volcán Cosigüina
- Playa Las Peñitas
- Volcán Momotombo
- Isla Juan Venado
- Playa Poneloya
Some cultural attractions outside of León but are worth the day trip:
- León Viejo
- Flor de Caña distillery tour
Read more: 15 Awesome Day Trips from León, Nicaragua
Bonus Ideas
Since I posted the original list of 10 Best Things To Do in León, Nicaragua, I have gotten feedback that my original list is incomplete. I will update this section with bonus ideas that fellow travellers LOVED during their travels.
Museo de Arte Fundación Ortiz-Gurdián
This is probably the finest museum of contemporary art in all of Central America. It has an EXTENSIVE collection of art primarily from Central and South America – featuring works from Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Fernando Botero, Roberto Matta and more. The art museum is housed in six colonial buildings that have been lovingly restored.
The Museo de Arte Fundación Ortiz-Gurdián closes on Mondays. Entrance costs $3 USD for foreigners.
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What were your favourite things to do in León, Nicaragua? Did you have any questions? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
