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.

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Holidays Leon

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Group - Discovery

Nicaragua

Cotinga: Off the beaten track Nicaragua

18 days from £3,430pp

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Nicaragua

Self-drive Nicaragua: Adventures by road

11 days from £1,900pp

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Nicaragua

Signature Nicaragua: Fire, water and revolution

13 days from £2,690pp

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Things to do

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Where to go when - our guide to Leon

Leon Nicaragua

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 guide

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  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

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    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

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    Millie Davies - Travel Expert

    Having caught the travel bug as a child, Millie has travelled all over Latin America before making her home in Buenos Aires for 3 years.

  • Paul
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

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