Avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water. The beach is long and sandy though like in most of the Pacific coast, the sand is actually quite dark and very clean too. THAT, friends, is good food. The museum is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Ultimately, Leon is a city that offers a little something for every type of traveler. A place you may want to check out at Las Penitas is La Casa Verde, which runs an interesting project that involves the local communities and basically educates them to live in a more eco-friendly way, recycling plastic (ie by creating interesting pieces of art) etc. Anyone interested in literature should check out the house of Nicaraguas number 1 poet Ruben Dario which has been turned into a museum and archive of his work. Just outside the city centre lies Cerro Negro, the most active volcano in Nicaragua. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Where To Stay In Leon Nicaragua: Best Hotels - Voices of Travel Part of the original city founded in 1524 is still preserved today. They are triangles containing an eye inside, hidden among the rest of the artwork in the cathedral. The STAR / File. Various companies in Leon run the tour one of the most popular tours is a 16-hour experience run by the community run Cooperativa Pilas-El Hoyo. Discover restaurants in Len: great places to eat and dining recommendations from other travelers . The museum is open daily from 9:00h to 16:00h. You will find a selection of local staples in a friendly, chilled environment. Only discovered in 2004 and a protected National Monument since 2006, this is a great place to visit if you want to be immersed in nature, swim in natural pools, see a waterfall or two. It is best to change money before you start your trip, as there are shops and restaurants that do not accept credit cards. This activity is known as Volcanoboarding and you can hire equipment there. Expect to pay around $20 USD for a meal which is a fortune by Nicaraguan terms. If you can find an expat who lives here, you are golden. 1. The museum is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. You will find a selection of freshly baked bread and pastries, sandwiches, coffee and more. One of the unmissable things to do in Leon is volcano boarding. Everything you said about Leon is true and I think the most important part for me is what we could stand to learn from the people of Leon; family is more important than wealth, and nothing is worth too much stress. For a low-key night stop by Via Via, a local bar/restaurant in Backpacker Alley that offers up live music every Friday. If you do, however, youll get to sleep on top of the volcano, see a gorgeous sunrise and then walk back down to head back to Leon. Leon is a culturally rich and vibrant colonial city in Nicaragua that is home to museums, university students, churches, restaurants, and cafes. Details Manage this business? There are no tourist shops selling the usual souvenirs and the locals just get on with their lives. Good Luck Picking Adventures While In Leon, Nicaragua! ($1, 4a Calle SE / Avenida Central). El Bodegon 462 reviews Open Now Latin, Cuban $$ - $$$ 18.1 mi Leon The ceviche was delicious and Matthew is a very very kind waiter. Rubn Dario spent several years of his childhood in Len, so the house where he lived has been preserved and transformed into a museum. Check out my post Why You Need A Good Travel Insurance. One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. 2023 Cerro Negro Volcano 1,151 Volcanos Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 812 Churches & Cathedrals Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian 456 Speciality Museums Telica Volcano 184 Its also the countrys second largest city. (Stea. The fare is 13 crdobas. Cerro Negro is the only place in the world where this is possible, and you really shouldnt miss the opportunity.Before you can actually go volcano boarding, you will have to hike to the crater of the volcano. COCO CALALA, Leon - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor What should I consider before travelling to Len? Most Popular South American food in Leon, Leon Department, Nicaragua Poetry plays a large role in the countrys identity, and the nations greatest poet, Ruben Dario, called Leon home. Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using the web or app of Passporter totally free and without any charge within the application. Desayuno Nica. For the most part, restaurant food isn't my favorite part of coming here, but the street food most certainly is. Bag a shady spot to escape the blazing sun and relax as you watch the locals go about their business. Leon is by far the hottest city in the country, with daily temperatures that usually are around 30 Celsius. Len Restaurants - Info Nicaragua This is not a touristy place at all you go there to get a bit (actually a lot) of local action; to get an idea of the local produce; and to shop for food. Here are some of the best known: Heres a list of some of the best restaurants in town to try these delicacies. I have been to Leon three times, so I know the city really well. Youll find everything from fully equipped hotels to backpacker hostels. Is this your first trip to Nicaragua? After being abandoned for many years and thanks to the work of archaeologists, the city was opened to the public and can now be visited for 5. Their cappuccino Libelula is amazing. Visit the Cathedral The Cathedral of Len a must see. Nicknamed the land of lakes and volcanoes, it offers a wealth of natural beauty and some incredible cities. The site is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Share your experience. Their . HERES WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT NICARAGUA. Among other churches to visit in Len, Nicaragua, make sure to stop by the Iglesia de la Recoleccin. ($1, Calle Ruben Dario / 3a Avenida Norte). This beach is a favorite among surfers. There are usually two that go around together. Leon has a fabulous, modern movie theater right in the center of the town, within walking distance of all the hostels. If you dont mind large groups, you may consider joining the free walking tour that starts from the Northwest corner of the Cathedral every day at 9:00 am, 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm they are run by Guru Walks. Even bananas are unusually excellent here. You can book your tour of Somoto Canyon here. The center is small enough to be pedestrian friendly. If San Juan del Sur is Nicaraguas fresh-out-of-university party destination, Leon is its artsy, slightly sophisticated older cousin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sitting in Hotel Flor De Sarta as I write, a couple blocks off the central square. As Leon is literally surrounded by volcanoes, you may want to hike another one. You can book your volcano boarding experience here or here. What was supposed to be a one-year trip turned into an indefinite journey around the globe..Read the full story here. Address: Calle Rubn Daro, Av. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Tourism Things to see Hotels Restaurants Photos Places to eat in Len. Would May be a bad time to visit? You can also travel by less comfortable but just as efficient shuttle buses.If you are coming from El Tunco, in El Salvator, there is a direct shuttle that will take you all the way to Leon. Leon, who started the San Jose Mexican chain of Midlands restaurants, was convicted July 6 by a Lexington County jury of murdering 28-year-old Arturo Bravo Santos on Valentine's Day 2016. The beaches of Len Nicaragua What to see in 1 day in Len? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. There are many unique things to do in Len Nicaragua.. Len is a Spanish colonial city situated in western Nicaragua, the second largest city in the Country. How to get to Len? However, it was the spirit, friendliness, and charm of the city and people of Leon that made me so eager to call the country home for several years. To book a walking tour of Leon, click here. Tourism Things to see Hotels Restaurants Photos Places to eat in Len. The Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado is a nice place you can easily visit from Leon, not far from Poneloya Beach. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. You can also decide to spend the night in the area a good place for that is Surfing Turtle Lodge, which can actually organize the turtle-watching experience in a responsible manner for you. How to prepare what things to do in Len, Nicaragua? Explore the colonial churches in Leon 6. After the renovation works the market became sort of state of the art considering we are in Nicaragua! 1. 29 reviews Open Now Italian, Mexican $$ - $$$ Menu Give us the gift Of your experiences Amazing spot to have dinner with your. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. When you plan a visit to Len, eat and drink as the locals do. The official language in Nicaragua is Spanish. Nicaragua is famous for its surf and its beaches, but most of the chatter is weighted toward the stretches and enclaves south of Managua. The menu is basic and cheap: You can choose between pasta and sandwiches, and Wednesdays is pizza night where they offer a good pizza & beer deal. 21 FUN Things to do in Leon, Nicaragua - Volcano Boarding & MORE! Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The dry one, from December to April included, during which it is hot and dry; and the rain season, which means hot and rainy days which gets especially bad in September and October. Traditional Dishes You Must Try in Nicaragua - Culture Trip Celebrate the Da de la Virgen de Merced. In 10 years, I expect it will get infiltrated more and more by extranjeros and get more commercial. I visited but remember, I have been to Leon three times and the first time I spend three full weeks there! Tempted to visit this incredible city? If your budget is higher, you will have even more options. This means that for any purchase you make through one of my links, I receive a small percentage which however does not affect the final price for the customer. Barrio Subtiava is one of the nicest neighborhoods of Leon. Make sure to spot the tomb of Ruben Daro, Nicaragua's most famous poet. Nicaragua Leon Department Leon Leon Tourism: Best of Leon Essential Leon Do Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. It was at a travel agency here in Leon that we were issued handwritten plane tickets to the Corn Islands, as though it was the mid-seventies and there might be a smoking section on the plane. For this reason, they decided to move the city to where it is located today, 40km away. Volcano Hostel has a beautiful swimming pool in the courtyard, which is something youll appreciate in this scorching hot town. I'll add to your excellent recommendations Cafe Liblula. Make sure to read my post The Complete Guide To Becoming A More Responsible Traveler. If you are a fan of street art, you will be glad to find many murals scattered around Leon. The best way to get there is by taxi or on a guided tour. 3RD SUNDAY JANUARY - Seor de Esquipulas, El Sauce. And the fruit is incredible. If you are coming from Granada, you will have to change in Managua. An Intrepid tour learning about Leons history. Tours include transportation from Leon as well as the admission fee to the park. Its hard to beat the prices: $2 for a movie on Mondays and Wednesdays, popcorn & a soft drink will cost you another $2. Be prepared for medical emergencies travel with insurance. 18 Brilliant Things To Do In Leon (Nicaragua) In 2023 There are two main seasons. What are your suggestions for what to see and do in Leon? The locals are friendly, the food is delicious, and the nightlife is less drinking and more sweaty, sensual salsa. Make sure to go to the rooftop for beautiful views of the square below and of the surroundings of the city. The ViaVia hostel has a busy restaurant and bar in the front, which means it can get loud in the rooms in the front, however, most of the rooms are set around a second colonial backyard in the back, far away from the noises of the bar. Dorm rooms from US$9; double rooms from $21, deluxe rooms with private bathroom $29, Bigfoot Hostel The dinners didnt impress us as much as the cocktails, but we went back for breakfast and didnt regret it. One of the most refreshing aspects of Leon is how free of tourism and commercialism it is. Discover restaurants in Len City: great places to eat and dining recommendations from other travelers . There are many more things to do in Leon, Nicaragua than you would imagine. Here is a list of the ten best hostels in Leon Nicaragua. Visit the museums We just returned from Leon. The second hotel is a luxury one if you want to enjoy even more comfort and beautiful facilities. U.S. has welcomed more than 500,000 migrants as part of historic If partying and surfing isnt for you, there are yoga classes to take, horses to ride, and beach volleyball games to play at the tranquil Surfing Turtle Lodge. It was this mix of charm, authenticity, and love of life that made me fall in love with Leon. Alfombras for Semana Santa in Leon, Nicaragua | Zenia Nuez. Leon is the perfect place to hang back for a few days to take the city in, enjoy good food and see what it means to be Nicaraguan. Across the Telica River and at the end of Poneloya is another beach called Los Brasiles which is characterised by its virgin state and is usually always very quiet. Once inside, however, it can get very chaotic, especially in peak hours so bring only the strict necessary, just in case pickpockets are around! It is also the home town of two of the finest poets in the Spanish language, Rubn Daro and Alfonso Corts. This is a stark contrast to Granada, Nicaraguas supposed tourism star and showcase city. The best time to go there is at sunset.. People live here in homes, not houses. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Tours cost around $70 USD and can be bought online here. This is a much more strenuous hike than the one to Cerro Negro expect to take 4.5 hours to get all the way to the crater. Its also linked to the restaurant-pub called El Alamo, found just around the corner. I like the beaches here. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Len It closes at 4:00 pm on Sundays. Find street art of the Sandinista Revolution, Volcano boarding in Nicaragua: All you need to know, 12 amazing things to do in Granada Nicaragua, How to visit the volcanic islets of Granada (Nicaragua), Hotel review | The luxurious Hotel Granada Nicaragua, Hotel review | The Oasis hostel, Nicaragua, Exploring a colorful Guatemala cemetery (San Pedro la Laguna), How to plan an awesome day trip to Teotihuacn Pyramids, Mexico, How to visit Santiago Atitln and Maximn (the chain-smoking saint), How to visit the best sunset viewpoint in Cappadocia, 9 amazing Avignon wine tours to try in 2023, 14 best beaches in Pula that are waiting for you. The museum is located in two beautiful colonial buildings with rooms set around a gorgeous garden, and lovely natural light gets into each of them. There is even an organized parking lot. Len, Nicaragua, does not have its own airport, however, it is very well-connected by bus to nearby cities such as Managua.