by Julie Kliegman

Created on: December 22, 2011

Nicaragua is a beautiful country in Central America, and León is one of its most interesting cities. Every tourist passing through the country should take at least a weekend to see what León has to offer.

For tourists seeking adventure, León follows through. Many hostels in León, including Bigfoot Hostel, offer trips to surfing and volcano boarding sites. Surfing is popular at nearby beaches that hostels and other tour companies can shuttle you to the best spots just outside of the city. Lessons are available, both in private and public settings. Make a day out of it with drinks and lunch included, or just spend a few hours trying to catch waves.

Volcano boarding is a more unique opportunity that the area offers. Cerro Negro is an active volcano not far outside of León with 50-degree slopes. Operators like Green Pathways and Va Pues will take you on a guided hike of the mountain (do not try and go it alone). Travellers will learn about the volcano’s history before using a wooden board to slide down the gravel at a thrilling, fast pace. A guide will even tell you your speed at the bottom of the volcano.

León is not all about the adrenaline rush, though. A landmark that cannot be missed is Basílica de la Asunción, the largest cathedral in Central America. There is a small fee to enter (less than 2 U.S. dollars), but it is completely worth it. The inside is beautiful, but the real gem is the roof. Take a walk up the stairs and get a scenic view of Nicaragua, perfect for showing photos back home.

Another historical wonder is the Museo-Archivo Rubén Darío. Learn about Nicaragua’s most famous poet. The museum features different artifacts inside his childhood home. He is truly a huge source of pride of the country.

Léon’s downtown area is a great place to celebrate various festivals that occur all throughout the year. Be sure to look up when they are after picking an itinerary. Partaking in the festivities can be great fun, but not if it is unexpectedly crowding the city you just wanted to sightsee in.

Overall, León is a great travel choice because it is a great combination of the tough, bustling city of Managua and the lackadaisical, one-trick town that is San Juan del Sur. There are adventurous activities for those who seek them as well as more calm historical sties and beautiful beaches for the calmer travellers. Be sure to read up on resources like The Lonely Planet before visiting in order to make the most out of a visit. León is certainly a great stop in a Nicaraguan tour.

Learn more about this author, Julie Kliegman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.