Overview
León has spirit and is a fascinating place to wander and absorb Nicaragua’s colonial and revolutionary history. Like Granada, the core of Nicaragua’s second city and intellectual capital is brimful with red-tiled colonial-style buildings but, unlike its peaceful rival, effervesces with artistic and political energy. A city with a strong religious tradition, it hosts a dozen crumbly churches juxtaposed with murals depicting events from the 1979 revolution. The city’s university and student scene lends it a youthful feel.
50km beyond the city are the sedate World Heritage ruins of León Viejo, the original site for León, and Nicaragua’s capital until an earthquake hit in 1609. Meanwhile, thrill-seekers can tackle the stark slopes of Cerro Negro volcano, with the option to ‘ash-board’ back down.
Holidays Leon
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
Classic holidays
Group - Discovery
Panama / Costa Rica / Nicaragua / El Salvador / Honduras / Guatemala
Alcion: Central America Discovery
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Group - Discovery
Nicaragua
Cotinga: Off the beaten track Nicaragua
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Nicaragua
Self-drive Nicaragua: Adventures by road
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Classic holidays
Private Journeys
Nicaragua
Signature Nicaragua: Fire, water and revolution
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
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Where to go when - our guide to Leon
The weather in Leon is wide and varied
Nicaragua’s second city is characterised by it’s red-tiled colonial-style buildings and it’s artistic and political energy and is mainly frequented by locals and students of the university. Awash in revolutionary history, the people are extremely friendly and a lively nightlife scene.
View our Leon weather guidePapagaio
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