Experiencing Leon, Nicaragua

Accomodation

We stayed at Paz de Luna B&B and Cafe. The place it nice, offers a decent breakfast and the rooms are comfortable and clean. The only downside (maybe for some people) would be the shared bathroom with the room next door. 

Eat

We ate at PorkysHouse and enjoyed a lot the food. It was quite funny as a friend who visited Nicaragua early 2015 went at the same restaurant and also loved it (but I had no idea). 

Do and Vist

Volcano Boarding

One of the most popular activities in Leon is Volcano Boarding. This is done on Cerro Negro which is the youngest volcano in Central America. The volcano is still active, if you look closely at the sand at the top you can actually sea heat coming out. 

We booked the tour at the hotel as we arrived late, you can find cheaper options if you book in time. The up side is that in this case all the money are going to help kids with no possibilities. 

Price: 30$ per person. 
Two tours a day

• First tour is as of 8:00 AM and
• second one 2:00 PM.

I strongly recommend the morning one as with the heat would make quite a challenge to hike up. 

A van picks you up in the morning and drives you to the bottom of the volcano. 

Then you need to hike 728m up. This takes approx 45 minutes. It can get extreme windy which is adding up to the difficulty of the hike. Keep the board horizontally it will help with the wind. Make sure you have water with you. The views at the top are quite spectacular 

Ok, now we are at the top and dressed with the overalls get ready .....it's coming. You have different speeds you can catch depending on how you hold your legs. No worries your guide will explain everything. Are you ready? Look what is waiting for you :)

At the end you will be full of small stones and dust, thus a bath is absolutely needed. You can clean yourself a bit at the entry point.

I support and recommend this activity as it is a lot of fun. Put yourself in the middle or fast position to enjoy better and if you have enough energy just climb back up again for a second try. 

Visit a museum

Do you speak Spanish? if so and are just a tiny bit interested in the history of Nicaragua then you should definitely visit Museo de la Revolucion. (If you only speak English, give it a try there are some veterans that do speak English). The Museum tries to give an idea about what happened and what meant the Revolution for the local people. The guides are former fighters during the revolution thus you can feel the emotion with which they tell you the story. Don't expect much, but it is worth going in. 

The Entrance fee is 2$
Opening hours: 8:30AM - 5:30 PM
And the view from the roof at sunset is very nice.

Cathedral of Leon

Go around the city

Iglesia-El-Calvario

IGLESIA LA RECOLECCION

just a street at sunset

Part of the big mural showing the revolution in Leon, Nicaragua.

if you like surfing..

catch a bus that brings you to the beach (Playa las Penitas). The bus station is at the other end of the city; Mercadito de Sutiava. Ask in the bus when to go down. it takes aprox 1h. 

You can rent a board from Pelikan Bar. The guy there can also give you some tips. After an exhausting time in the water, you can get some fresh fish cooked for you on the beach. Once done they will bring it to you at Pelikan. 

Party 

Leon is a good party place, so if you spend the night go to one of the several party places in the center. the Latino rhythm and Flor de Cana will definitely convince you to join the dancing floor. 

Buy souvenirs

you have loads of souvenirs to pick from most (if not all) are hand made and a very cheap. 

Leon is an interesting place to visit and I would not miss it if in Nicaragua. 

You can read more on how to get to Leon HERE.

#ILoveToTravel