All of the best things to do in Leon, Nicaragua – from sandboarding down volcanoes to exploring world-class art galleries!
León is one of Nicaragua’s most beautiful cities. It is full of charming and colourful colonial buildings and has a fascinating history as the former capital and birthplace of more than one revolutionary movement.
Many people comes to León purely because of the Cerro Negro volcano. The famous black volcanic rock of Cerro Negro provides ideal conditions for volcano-boarding, considered by some to be one of the best things to do in Central America.
However, I fell in love with León for entirely different reasons. Don’t get me wrong, the volcano-boarding is fun, but the history and culture of this unique little city is fascinating. Even if you’re not an adrenaline junkie, there are plenty of things to do in León, Nicaragua to make a trip worthwhile.
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The best things to do in León, Nicaragua
This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but here were my favourite things to do in León, Nicaragua.
Volcano Boarding at Cerro Negro
I’m putting this first as it is widely accepted to be one of the best things to do in León, Nicaragua. This adrenaline-pumping activity involves sliding down the black volcanic slopes of Cerro Negro on a wooden board. First you need to hike up the volcano which takes about an hour and has incredible views as it towers above the jungle below.
If you’re not a thrill-seeker, which I am not, you might find this activity a bit scary! The summit of Cerro Negro is 728m above sea level. When you’re standing at the top, it feels much higher. We went with a large group and most people just got dressed in their safety gear, hopped on the board and started sliding down the mountain apparently without fear or hesitation. I needed a little bit more convincing than that. But if I can do it, anyone can.
You can book Cerro Negro volcano boarding tours at most of the major hostels in town. We went through BigFoot Hostel and they were pretty good. It felt very professional and we got a free t-shirt included in the price.
Alternatively, you can pre-book your Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding online.
Explore León Cathedral
The León Cathedral, or the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, is the largest cathedral in Central America. A visit to its glaringly white rooftop belongs firmly on any list of the best things to do in León, Nicaragua.
The León Cathedral was completed in 1812 and has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit the cathedral for dusk to get incredible views of the sunset over the city and surrounding volcanoes.
Marvel at Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian
Visiting the Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian surprised me more than anything else on this list! This incredible collection of works from big-name artists like Chagall and Diego Rivera is spread across two stunning historic buildings in the backstreets of Leon.
When we visited there was an entire room of Picasso works, along with Dali, Botero, Warhole and many local Central American artists. For a modest $3 entry, I don’t think there is anywhere else in the world that you can get such value for money.
Visit the Museum of the Revolution
The Museum of the Revolution tells the story of the Sandinista Revolution, where the people of Nicaragua rose up against the ruling Somoza family.
The museum itself is in a crumbling colonial building that looks like it might fall apart at any moment. It is not well looked after, but the information inside is really fascinating. I’d recommend getting a guided tour inside to make the most out of your visit.
Take a Street Art Walking Tour
The streets of León are filled with colour and a fusion of architectural styles that make them beautiful to photograph. One of my favourite things to do in León was to just stroll around in the later afternoon, after the heat of the day had subsided, and take photographs of things that caught my eye.
León is filled with street art, including building high murals that tell entire stories of revolution. The best way to learn about and understand that significance of León’s street art is by taking a walking tour with a local.
I always advocate for doing a free walking tour in a new city. The free walking tour of León was a great way to get an overview of the city and to understand the street art we were seeing.
Take a Day Trip to Las Peñitas Beach
Las Peñitas is the most accessible beach from León. You can get there in about 20 minutes and it is the perfect place to relax and spend an afternoon.
There are a few places along the beach with restaurants, bars and places you can hire surfboards. You can also stay in the area for a couple of days and do surf lessons. We only day tripped there but I was very jealous of the people who looked like they had set up there for a few days. The vibes were very chill.
The sunset here was pretty epic so make sure you stick around to see it.
Where to Stay in León, Nicaragua
León, Nicaragua has accommodation options to suit every budget. If you’re backpacking and trying to save your pennies, León has some excellent and affordable options. Here are some of the best places to stay in León, Nicaragua.
Budget – For the money-savvy traveller, you really can’t go past Poco a Poco Hostel. It’s one of the most popular hostels in town, really social, has a pool and can organise tours and activities. This is a great place to meet fellow travellers and the pool would be a god-send in summer.
Mid-range – Still on the cheaper side but a bit more luxe, we stayed at the Hostal La Tortuga Booluda. If I was to go back to León, I would stay here again. The rooms were lovely, staff were friendly and helpful and it was social but still quiet at night. There are even a few adorable little tortoises wandering around the hammock area to keep you entertained.
Luxury – If you’re looking for something special, check out the Hotel El Convento.
Travel Tips for León, Nicaragua
- Currency: Bring small bills as change can be hard to come by. Like most Central American countries, cash is an important part of the economy. While it is possible to find places that you can pay via card, especially at hotels and large restaurants, the majority of places will still be cash only. Hoard your small notes!
- Language: A little Spanish goes a long way in Nicaragua. While most hotel staff and people working in the tourism industry will speak some level of English, outside of those industries English is not widely spoken. Learning a little Spanish can be really fun and you can see that the locals appreciate the effort, even if you’re not making any sense!
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