León (Nicaragua).
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Overview

Founded in 1524, León is one of the oldest cities in the Americas. With colonial splendor, it is the intellectual center of Nicaragua, renowned for its university, old churches, fine museums, revolutionary history and student life. It is also the home town of two of the finest poets in the Spanish language, Rubén Darío and Alfonso Cortés. Around León, there are majestic volcanos and beautiful beaches.

Understand

The core of León is its Central Park (Parque Central) with the adjoining cathedral. Most important sights can be found within a 10-minute walk from there. From the perspective of the Central Park, the city’s lively commercial area is in the northeastern quadrant, where you will find the banks, most stores, the two municipal markets behind the cathedral and the San Juan church respectively, as well as many hotels and hostels. This is also where the main bus station is located, serving all destinations except the Pacific Ocean beaches. The more quiet cultural part of the city is in the northwestern and southwestern quadrants, and here you will find the university, the municipal theater, the cultural center, the park of the poets, the old monastery, most of the museums and the city's best restaurants. The southeastern quadrant is home to the old hospital, and it is the least interesting quadrant from a tourist perspective. The major exception to this general outline is a cluster of bars one block west of the Central Park.

León is the home to the oldest university in Nicaragua and the second oldest in Central America. It is filled with students and has a vibrant night life. While older tourists flock to Granada, young volunteers, backpackers and other extranjeros meld more with the locals in León compared to its colonial rival.

Fourteen blocks west of the cathedral is the center of Sutiava, which is older than León, and which used to be an independent town populated by indigenous Americans. It still has its own cultural flavor and traditions. Here you will find the Suitava church and central square, a couple of museums, old church ruins, a small municipal market and the bus station for the Pacific Ocean beaches.

Around León, there are several day-trip destinations that you can either explore on your own or through a local tour company. You can hike up one of the many volcanoes, do volcano boarding down Cerro Negro, explore the hot springs in San Jacinto, or visit León Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As for the Pacific Ocean beaches in Poneloya and Las Peñitas, you can either make it a day-trip or stay overnight, as there are many delightful accommodations right on the beach.

The official name of the city is Santiago de los Caballeros de León, named after the city of León in Spain. When founded in 1524, it was located further east, at the western end of Lake Xolotlán. Ten years later, the Diocese of Nicaragua was established in León. The city did not thrive, though, as there were not enough nearby Indians to exploit, and in 1606 only ten 'Spanish' families remained. After a destructive volcanic eruption of Momotombo in 1610, the city was moved next to the thriving indigenous town of Sutiava, despite the Sutiava Indians' objections. Almost the entire city was moved, including the saints in the churches and some of the dead in the cemeteries, but ruins of the old city can still be seen at León Viejo.

In 1812, the second oldest university in Central America was established in León.

Together with Granada, León has the most colonial architecture in Nicaragua. León has more colonial churches than any other place in Nicaragua, and if you are on the church tour, there are over a dozen beautiful historical churches to admire.

After independence, the liberals of León and the conservatives of Granada struggled over which city would be the capital, ultimately leading to civil war in the 1850s. As a compromise, Managua became capital, but Granada conservatives held onto the presidency until the rise of liberal president José Santos Zelaya in 1896.

From the 1950s to the 1970s, León was a hub of cotton growing but that industry has declined, being replaced by sugar cane, peanuts and other crops.

During the Somoza family dictatorial rule, León was a center of resistance. In 1956, president and dictator Anastasio Somoza García was assassinated at the Casa del Obrero in León by the young poet Rigoberto López Pérez.

In 1979, the Sandinistas took over León in violent street by street fighting. After losing the city, the dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle bombed it, hitting civilians and fighters alike. You can still see the bombed out San Sebastián church three blocks south of the cathedral, as well as bullet marks on some buildings.

On April 2018, there were protests in León against changes to the governments social security system. When repressed, the protests spread to the rest of the country, leading to many deaths in the hands of the Ortega government. Since then, the economy has been relatively depressed. Tourism took a big hit, although León is still popular among backpackers.

León has a tropical climate with the high temperature in the low thirties and the low temperature in the mid twenties. The hottest month is April while the coolest is October, but the difference is only about four degrees Celsius. During the rainy "winter" season from May to October, it will typically rain for a few hours a few times per week. There is almost no rain from mid-November to April, which is called "summer" in Nicaragua.

Street names and directions The center of León has a simple grid with streets (calles) running east-west and avenues (avenidas) running north-south. The center of the grid is the northeast corner of Central Park, which is also the northwest corner of the cathedral. Here Avenida Central crosses Calle Rubén Darío. Streets are numbered from there, with north, south, east and/or west added to determine the quadrant it is in. For example, the street that passes the university two blocks north of Central Park is Segunda Calle Noroeste (Second Street Northwest). The only problem with this simple street system is that it is not used much. For directions and addresses people use a known location, followed by the number of blocks north, south, west or east. For example, the address for Hotel La Perla is "from La Merced church, 1 1/2 blocks north". To complicate things even more for visitors, locals do not use east or west, but instead "arriba" (up) for east and "abajo" (down) for west, based on the movement of the sun.

Get in

By plane The closest commercial airport is in Managua , roughly a 2-hour drive from León. For a cheaper option, take a taxi to the UCA bus station with frequent micro buses to León. If you arrive late at night or have to leave early in the morning, there is a convenient hotel just across the street from the airport.

From Managua: Take the vans leaving from Mercado Israel Lewites or the micro buses (camionetas) leaving from UCA (Universidad Centro Americana). The vans from Mercado Israel Lewites holds about 15 crowded passenger, but are not excessively uncomfortable, particularly when you sit next to a window. They run frequently, leaving from the Mercado every 15-20 minutes. Microbuses leave from UCA beginning at 04:30 until approximatly 21:00. They leave whenever they are full, usually every 15 minutes. If you take a larger regular bus, make sure to get an expreso - otherwise the bus makes stops to pick up passengers on the side of the road along the way. From Granada: Take a minivan to Managua UCA station and transfer to another minivan to León. From Esteli: There is one direct bus daily. If you miss it, you have to change in San Isidro on the Panamerican Highway. From Matagalpa: There are two direct buses running daily, otherwise take a bus to San Isidro and transfer to León. From Chinandega: Buses for León depart every 15 minutes. From El Sauce: Frequent busses by way of Malpaisillo and Telica. From Poneloya and Las Peñitas on the Pacific coast: The same buses serve both towns with frequent service to Sutiava from early morning until around 18:30.

The León bus terminal is located 2 km northeast of the Central Park.

By car The main roads to and from León are in excellent condition. From Managua: The best road to León is the Carretera Nueva a León (new road to León), which is about a 90-minute trip from center to center, although more during the Managua rush hour. At Mirador Piedras Azules (km 30) you can stop by the shore of Lake Managua to take in the breathtaking views of the Mombotombo and Mombotombito volcanos across the water. If hungry, stop for quesillo and tiste in Nagarote or La Paz Centro. Alternatively, you can take the Carretera Vieja a León (old road to León), which is about the same distance with less traffic, but the road has more hills and turns. From Granada and Masaya: first drive to Managua, then follow the directions above. From Rivas, San Juan del Sur and Los Pueblos Blancos: take the road to Jinotepe and El Crucero and then the Carretera Vieja a León. From Boaco, Juigalpa, Bluefields, San Carlos and other places to the east of Lake Nicaragua: There are two options. You can either drive to Managua, and then follow the directions above. The roads are good but the Managua rush hour traffic can be bad. Alternatively, when you get to the Pan-American Highway in San Benito, make a right turn instead of left, and after 6.5 km on that highway, take a left to San Fransisco Libre and continue on to El Tamarindo on the highway that connects León with Estelí and Matagalpa. In El Tamarindo make a left, followed by another left when you reach Telica on the León to Chinandega highway. This route is about the same distance as the one through Managua, and it has much less traffic, but, while most of the road is in excellent shape, the 26 km between San Francisco Libre and El Tamarindo is a wide and flat gravel road. From Estelí, Matagalpa and other places in the north: take the Pan-American Highway to Emplame San Isidro León, which is 3 km southeast of San Isidro. From there, head southwest on highway No. 26 which is in great shape. When you reach Telica and the highway between León and Chinandega, make a left. From Chinandega: the highway to León starts at the Rotonda Los Encuentros in the eastern section of the city. From Poneloya and Las Peñitas, the 20 km road to León is in good condition, taking about 30 minutes. By boat A few cruise ships dock in Corinto, offering guided bus tours to León. Private yachts can dock at Marina Puesta del Sol, which is a 1 hour 40 minute drive north of León.

Get around

The city is a great place to walk, and by foot you can easily reach every major tourist attraction except those in Sutiava, which is a bit more of a hike but still doable in about 25 minutes.

White local buses run from the inter-city bus station in the northeastern part of the town and the municipal market behind the San Juan church, to the center of León. They also go to Sutiava, where buses leave for the beach towns of Las Peñitas and Poneloya, and to Barrio Guadalupe.

Bicycling is popular among the locals.

Bicycle taxis are widely available but not allowed close to the Central Park. Within the city, you always pay per person and you may share the taxi with other passengers heading in the same direction.

In León, there are more motorcycles than cars. You will sometimes see a whole family with a father, mother and children riding togther on the same motorcycle.

See

The main attraction in León is the city itself, with its colonial houses and churches, and its vibrant student life. Two sights not to miss are the cathedral, with a side visit onto its roof, and the beautiful Ortiz-Gurdián Art Museum.

Central Park. A lively park with a fountain and shady trees in front of the cathedral. The park is a great place to people watch as it is packed with families and youth chatting and playing, with vendors selling ice cream and drinks. On weekends musicians, dancers or street performers may add to the atmosphere. Of the eight streets leading up to the square, six have been converted to nice pedestrian streets. For a guided walking tour of the city, gather at the northeastern corner of Central Park at 9:00.

Park of the Poets. A park honoring five poets of the Spanish language, all with connections to León: Rubén Darío, Alfonso Cortes, Salomón de la Selva, Azarías Pallais and Antenor Sandino Hernández. At night you can grab a piece to eat at one of the food stands.

Parque Infantil. The playground for children closest to the city center.

Parque San Juan. Lively park shaded by trees in front of the San Juan Church.

Rubén Darío Centennial Park. A park built in 2016 on the one hundred anniversary of the death of poet Rubén Darío. The park has a big monument honoring the poet, surrounded by a beautiful flower garden.

Parque Arlen Siu. A park commemorating the revolutionary singer Arlen Siu, who was killed in 1975 by the Somoza dictatorship at the young age of twenty. The park has a small zoo, the best playground in León and the municipal nursery.

León Cathedral. The largest cathedral in Central America and a UNESCO World Heritage site, built in a mix of baroque and neoclassical styles. The thick, low-slung, fortress-like walls were explicitly engineered to survive earthquakes. With construction started in 1747 the cathedral was inaugurated in 1780. The connected parish church in the south-eastern corner was built in the 1790s. The façade and towers were added between 1810 and 1820. In 1909, the cathedral received a series of 14 large paintings by José Antonio Sarria Mejía, depicting the stations of the cross. The cathedral is the final resting place of the poet Rubén Darío, as well as many other notable Nicaraguans. For a small fee you can climb the stairs up to the roof, where you get a great view of all of León's churches and the surrounding volcanoes. You also get a close-up view of the giant sculptures holding up the cathedral bells; just don't ring them. A guided tour brings you into the cellars beneath the cathedral, with old antiques and burial places. Facing the southern side of the cathedral is the episcopal palace and the beautiful San Ramón seminary.

Iglesia de la Merced. Baroque church from 1762. It belonged to the friars of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy until they were expelled from Nicaragua in 1830. The church's statue of Saint Mary of Mercy came from Barcelona a few centuries ago.

Iglesia de la Recolección. Old church consecrated in 1788 with a bright yellow front in Mexican baroque style.

Iglesia El Calvario. A colorful baroque-style church from 1764 with a vivid depiction of the crucifixion inside.

Iglesia San Juan Bautista. A relatively simple church located in front of San Juan Park. It was built between 1620 and 1650 but reconstructed in a neoclassical style in the 18th century, with large wooden columns. It used to be the church of the old hospital.

Iglesia San Filipe. A 17th-century colonial church with a beautiful altarpiece.

Iglesia San José. A small church that was built as a chapel to Iglesia San Filipe. The church is old, but it has a modern façade after renovations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza. With its ashlar masonry the church has an almost medieval look, but it is one of the newer churches, built in 1934.

Iglesia de San Francisco. Built in 1639, this is one of the oldest churches in Leon, located adjacent to the former Franciscan convent. The church closed in 1830 when the Franciscan friars were expelled, but it was reconstructed in the 1960s. It has a nice bell tower and some beautiful altarpieces. Also note the small colorful woodcarvings depicting the forteen stations of the cross. Outside the church there is a statue of Saint Francis talking to a wolf.

Iglesia San Juan de Dios. Small church with a simple exterior. Has a beautiful altar piece, depicting Saint John of God, the Assumption of Mary and Saint Raphael the Archangel.

Iglesia el Laborio. Dedicated to San Nicolás de Tolentino, this is one of the oldest churches in León, built in 1618. It has many beautiful statues of different saints.

Iglesia San Sebastian. Protected by a modern roof, only ruins remain of this old historical church from the 18th century, after it was bombed by the Somoza dictatorship in 1979. A new parish church has been built next to the ruins.

Iglesia Guadalupe. The main church in the southern part of León, built at the end of the 19th century. Unlike the typical west facing entrance of other León churches, the entrance of this church faces north towards the cathedral.

Ermita San Pedro. A baroque chapel completed in 1718, with a simple but beautiful exterior. Of four small historic chapels in Sutiava, this is the only one that survived the turbulent times of the early 19th century.

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Sutiava. One of the oldest and largest churches in León, serving a traditionally indigenous community in Sutiava. The rustic wood interior is a pleasant deviance from the often ornate styles that are more typical of most León churches.

Ortiz-Gurdián Art Museum. The finest art museum in Central America, located in several inter-connected colonial houses. Excellent collection of 20th-century Nicaraguan and Latin American art, but there is also indigenous, colonial and contemporary Latin American art. The museum also has European art, including work by Picasso, Chagall and Miró. Even if you hate art, make a visit to enjoy the museums beautiful colonial architecture.

Museum of the Revolution. The museum consists of a room with some displays and artifacts, none of which offer any explanations in English. The most unique aspect of this museum are the old guides, who provide an animated commentary on the beatings, arrests, street fights and assassinations of the revolutionary period, much of which are based on their own experiences. They will be sure to point out a picture of their younger self, rifle and all.

Rubén Darío Museum. The beautiful colonial childhood home of writer and poet Rubén Darío, founder of the modernismo movement in Spanish literature. The exibit includes family furniture and historical books. His most famous book, Azul, is a collection of short stories and poems.

Centro Cultural y Museo Rigoberto López Pérez. A beautifully restored colonial building honoring the poet Rigoberto López Pérez. In 1956, in this building, he assassinated the dictator Anastasio Somoza García (father of the other two dictators, Luis and Anastasio Somoza Debayle), after which he was killed in a hail of bullets. The building has some impressive art work including a mural by painter Ricardo Morales, as well as poems written on the walls.

Museum of Myths and Legends. This is a museum with two themes. One part commemorates traditional myths and legends, with life size displays of costumes and other traditional objects. The second part commemorates the anti-Somoza activists who were jailed in the building during the 1970s, with drawings on the walls and a prominently displayed statute of an urban guerrilla holding a handmade bomb. Some sarcastically now call it the Museo de las Traiciones (Museum of the Treasons) as a reference to how the Sandinista rank and file has been cheated by president Daniel Ortega and his cronies.

Center for Initiative on the Environment. An educational center about animals, plants, biodiversity and the environment.

León Viejo. The original site of León on the western shore of Lake Xolotlán at the foot of the Momotombo volcano, until the city was moved in 1610. Not available elsewhere, this UNESCO World Heritage site shows the ruins and layout of an early colonial city, with the Calle Real leading up to the Plaza, the Cathedral, other churches, and residencies of its leading citizens. There is also has a small museum about the indigenous population.

El Fortín de Acosasco. For the best view over the city with the volcano range in the background, head to this historical fortress southwest of León. During the Somoza dictatorship, the fortress was used both to control the city and as a prison for political opponents. Best reached from Sutiava, but there is also a road from Barrio Guadalupe.

Street Murals. As you’re wandering around the streets, keep a lookout for large and small street murals, located in various places around the city. The murals usually commemorate historical events such as the 1959 massacre of protesting students by the military under the Somoza dictatorship.

Environmental Botanical Garden. Run by the UNAN-León university for both public education and research. The botanical garden has recreated the four different forest types that exist in Nicaragua, with cacao, cinnamon, avocado, mango, coco and many other trees. You will also see birds and other wildlife. The entrance fee includes an extensive guided tour along stone covered forest paths. Ask the guide why a plant with long thick leaves is called "lengua de suegra".

Zoo Arlen Siu. A very small zoo with monkeys, birds, tigers, turtles, pelibuey sheep and a lion. Fun for small children.

Do

Festivals Semana Santa (holy week) is celebrated with religious processions throughout the week and from all the different churches. In Nicaragua, León is considered to be the best place to experience this holiday.

Festival Azul Diarío is celebrated at the end of July, at the anniversary of poet Rubén Diarío's most famous book, Azul, which initiated modernism in Spanish literature when it was first published on July 30, 1888. Music and dance groups parade from his old home to the Central Park, where there is a combination of exhibits, poetry, music and dance, as well as a visual show that uses the white front of the cathedral as a huge movie screen.

La Gritería Chiquita (the little shout) is celebrated on August 14, the eve of the assumption of Mary, as a smaller local version of the more famous La Gritería on December 7. It was first celebrated in 1947 as a penance and response to the eruption of Cerro Negro.

La Vírgen de la Merced (Virgin of Mercy) is celebrated on September 23 and 24 in honor of León's patron saint, with masses, religious chants, candlelight vigils, live music and a procession of the saint from the La Merced church to schools and other parishes around the city. At night, fireworks top off the happy celebration.

San Jerónimo (Saint Jerome) is especially celebrated in indigenous Sutiava. On September 29 the statue of San Jerome leaves the cathedral in a procession to the church in Sutiava where he spends the night before returning back to the cathedral on September 30. As part of the celebration, people dance on the streets dressed up as bulls (toros huacos).

El Desfile de Gigatones (the parade of the giants) takes place during the first week of November. Giants dolls, at least three meters tall, dance through the streets accompanied by live music.

Carnival (carnival of myths, legends and traditions from León) is celebrated on the last Friday of November. Unique in Nicaragua, people parade and dance from Sutiava to the Central Park, dressed up as anything from devils, witches and skeletons to campesinos, conquistadores and priests.

La Gritería (the shout) is celebrated throughout Nicaragua on December 7, but most intensely in León, where the tradition began. While some family members gather at home in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary, other walk from home to home shouting Quién causa tanta alegría? (who causes so much joy), which is answered by those at home with La concepción de María (the conception of Mary), while handing out candy and other sweets to the passersby.

Desfile hípico (horse parade) takes place on the second Sunday in December in honor of Saint Lucia, one of the patron saints of Sutiava. Fine horse breeds are shown off by skillful riders in elegant colorful costumes. To lead the parade, a young woman with excellent horsemanship is selected as the novia des delfile hípico.

Each church also celebrates its own saint on different days throughout the year. For example, the church in Barrio Guadalupe celebrates the Virgin of Guadalupe from December 10 to 12.

Teatro José de la Cruz Mena. León has a beautiful theater and concert hall that was inaugurated in 1885, making it the oldest in Nicaragua. In 1904 it was named after José de la Cruz Mena, Nicaragua's most famous composer, who was a native of León until 1907 when he died from leprosy at the age of 33. Outside the building there are statues of Thalia and Melpómene, the Greek muses of comedy and tragedy. The theater only has a few cultural events every month, so take the chance when there is one.

Cine Siglo Nuevo. The only movie theater in town, primarily showing popular North American movies. With three auditoriums, multiple movies are shown each day. Some movies are shown both dubbed, earlier during the day, and with subtitles, later in the evening.

Leon lies below the Cordillera de Los Maribios, a mountain range with multiple volcanoes, and it is possible to hike most of them. The most popular volcano is Cerro Negro, where you can do volcano boarding, descending the volcano at great speed. It is one of the world's youngest volcanoes with a moon-like landscape that is worth visiting even if you are not a boarder. Nearby there are two atypical volcanoes; Las Pilas and El Hoyo, which can be hiked together. The latter has the most beautiful views of any of the volcanoes in the range. Telica, the most active volcano in the region, is climbable but only when it is calm so be prepared to give this one a miss. Another active volcano, Momotombo, is the most difficult to hike. It requires special permission and gear. Below Momotombo there are two volcanic lagoons: Asososca and Monte Galan, and these are great for cooling off after a long day of hiking.

While it is possible to climb the volcanoes on your own, it is recommended to go with a guide or an organized tour, as hiking the volcanoes can at times be dangerous due to volcanic activity. It is also easy to get lost or run out of water.

Hot springs The hot springs at Hervidores San Jacinto, at the foot of the Telica volcano, makes for a great daytrip. They are really nice and a must. Pay careful attention to where they walk, and take the same path, as you will be walking just above thermal activity. As someone said, "It's like a mini Yellowstone, without the fences."

Sports Baseball Catch a baseball game if you are in León during the baseball season. There is a brand new stadium in the southern part of the city, where the Leones de Leon (lions of León) play their home games in two different leagues. From March to July, they play in the national championship league consisting of twenty teams from all parts of the country, with play-offs in August and September. After a short break, they play in the five team professional baseball league from November to January. The Leones are the current professional champions (2025).

Estadio Rigoberto López Pérez. Newly built stadium that's home field for the Leones de Leon, the local professional baseball team. Order some vigoron, get a Victoria and enjoy.

Basketball For a pick-up basketball game, head to Cancha 23 de Julio, a basketball court half a block north of the northwest corner of the Central Park.

Swimming Take a day trip to swim in the Pacific ocean. Choose between Las Peñitas, which is known for its mellow vibe, or Poneloya, which is less touristic. These are two of Nicaragua's nicest beach towns, at opposite ends of a common 4 km long beach. The waves and current can be strong and dangerous, especially in Poneloya, but you can also swim in the much calmer estuaries at the two ends of the long beach. The last bus back to León leaves the coast around 18:30 which gives you enough time to watch the spectacular sunsets over the beach.

Some hotels and hostels have a swimming pool for their guests. There is a public swimming pool in Barrio Guadalupe, next to Río Chiquito. In neighboring Telica, 10 km north of León, there is a modern aquatic park.

Centro Recreativo Riverside Splash. Two pools, one with slides, and one splash area for kids.

Parque Aquático Telica. Fun water park with multiple swimming pools and slides. Popular among children and families.

Surfing Las Peñitas is a great place for surfing, with lessons available for beginners. There are plenty of good reliable waves to enjoy, although they are not among the best in Nicaragua.

Kayaking The Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve is a wonderful place for kayaking, cruising among the mangroves and watching birds and other wildlife. The long and narrow estuary between the island and the mainland goes all the 20 km between Las Peñitas and Salinas Grande, but most people make a shorter return trip with a nice break on the beach at the ocean side of the island. Kayaks can be rented in Las Peñitas or you can join one of the tours operating from León.

It is almost a rite of passage for every traveler that visits Leon to board down the side of Cerro Negro. Even for those not so interested in boarding, the 45-minute hike up offers spectacular views of a moonlike landscape. The actual boarding down is fun and generally involves sitting down on the board, leaning back and controlling the speed with your feet in the sand. If you dare, you can reach speeds of up to 95 km/h on the steepest sections of the hill. All tour companies provide equipment, transport and usually a beverage after the ride, but you have to carry your own board up the mountain. Protective garment and goggles will ensure that only parts of your face is black from the volcanic aches after the ride. No tour organizations offer stand up style boarding so if you want to do this you will need to find your own gear.

Learn

Cooking Workshop León. Learn how to cook Nicaraguan food. The cooking class includes a guide, kitchen, ingredients, lunch, drink and dessert.

Ritmo Salsero. Learn to dance salsa and bachata. Private and group lessons available for both beginners and more experienced dancers.

Leonitos de la Salsa. Offers classes in salsa and other Latin dances.

Spanish There are several Spanish schools in León, but you can also get classes with a private teacher.

León Spanish School. Morning or afternoon one-on-one classes given at the Casa de Cultura. Home stay available.

Metropolis Spanish School. Private lessons for one or two persons. Flexible schedules. Home stay available.

Spanish Lessons León. Morning or afternoon schedule. Home stay available.

Universities León has the oldest and most prestigious university in Nicaragua, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, or UNAN-León for short. While there are few foreign students, the excellent university faculty has a long tradition of international scientific collaborations, especially in the areas of medicine and public health.

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua. The main university building is located two blocks north of the Central Park, but the rest is scattered around the western and southern parts of the city. The colleges of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are in southern León, next to the baseball stadium.

León also has several smaller local colleges and universities.

Biblioteca Banco Central Tomas Ruiz. The Central Bank of Nicaragua has a branch library in León with 18,000 volumes, including many national and international periodicals. It is open to the public and popular among students. It is unfortunately located far from the city center, at the southern end of the bypass road.

Work

Salaries in León are generally low and there are many well educated Leoneses. This makes it difficult for foreigners to work for a living in León unless they have their own business or work remotely for a job in their home country. For long-term visitors it's sometimes possible to teach English or other foreign languages. If money is not an issue, there may be volunteer opportunities with local tour groups.

Buy

Most of these operate out of the owners home. León has three main municipal markets, in central León just east of the Cathedral, in the northeast next to the San Juan church, and in Sutiava. There are a few large supermarkets.

Mercado Central. Lots of vegetables, fruits, grains, cooking oil, spices, eggs, meats, and fish, as well as hygiene and cleaning products.

Marcado La Estación. Larger and somewhat cheaper than the Mercado Central.

La Colonia. Upscale supermarket in a beautiful colonial building. Expensive, but they have some international foods that is hard to find elsewhere. The best wine selection in town. A/C.

La Unión. Centrally located supermarket, owned by Walmart. More expensive than the municipal markets.

Pan y Paz French Bakery. Sells European style bread and pastries, good local cheeses and fine wine. Also a café.

El León Dorado. Excellent bakery with Nicaraguan style bread and pastry. Try their traditional 'picos' bread, which is renowned across the country.

There are many small clothing and shoe stores around the city. For a seamstress providing fast and cheap clothing repairs, head to the Central Market behind the cathedral. Across the street, in the Centro de Compras Metropolitano, there is a shoe repair shop.

Centro de Compras Metropolitano. A market place for clothes in a fine colonial architectural setting. You can also find suitcases and backpacks here.

JBernhard Designs. Designer leather products including shirts, belts, wallets, handbags, backpacks and computer cases. Locally made.

Books, magazines and office supplies

Buho Books. Small independent bookstore. Has used books in Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish, and maybe other languages as well.

Librería Universitaria. The university book store with a good collection of academic literature.

Librería y Variedades la Bendición. Small store selling school and office supplies. Friendly personal service.

Souvenirs Most souvenir stores closed during the political turmoil that started in 2018, but there are a number of small souvenir stalls across from the La Merced church, one block north of Central Park.

Banking There is a cluster of banks around the "Esquina de Bancos", located one block north of the northeastern corner of the cathedral, with several ATM machines. At this intersection, you will also find individuals on the sidewalks that will exchange cash from dollars to cordobas, which is more convenient than exchanging at the banks.

Eat

The city offers a wide variety of restaurants, from fast food to gourmet, including international cuisine. Some typical León dishes that you should try are: Nacatamales, where meat and vegetables are mixed into a maize dough and cooked in banana leaves Quesillo, a corn tortilla filled with cheese and onions, typically eaten as fast food Sopa de frijoles, soup using grounded black beans cooked in a broth, with eggs and onions added Indio viejo, a rich stew consisting of maize, onions, garlic, achiote, pepper and either beef or chicken Chancho con yuca, pork cooked with yucca, typically served with a cabbage salad Enchiladitas leonesas, small fried corn tortillas that are orange from the addition of achiote Carne en vaho, a typical Sunday stew consisting of salted meat cooked with yucca, plantains, onions, peppers and tomatoes Tacos de La Salle, a small rolled up crispy taco filled with shredded chicken or pork, served with coleslaw and sour cream Carne asada, grilled beef served with rice, beans, salted cheese and plantains, available both from street vendors and in fancy restaurants Buñuelos, small finger food, where a dough of yucca and cheese is fried and then dipped in honey

Budget Food is sold by street vendors all across town and they are a popular source of energy among the local student population. Some good places to find them are in the Central Park, outside the La Union supermarket, in the Park of the Poets, and by the La Salle School three blocks west of the Central Park.

Central Market. Large food court with all sorts of great beans and eggs and rice and fried cheese and cheese-stuffed platanos and thick tortillas. Great for breakfast, you can fill up for a dollar or two. You can also buy fresh-made juices, and gaze in awe at the giant blocks of fried cheese. On the street behind the market is Buen Gusto, where you should grab some Pollo Vino on the cheap.

Bar y Restaurante Misissipi. Very tasty traditional Nicaraguan food. Great soups. Legendary restaurant popular among the locals. Simple atmosphere.

Asados El Pelibuey. A simple buffet style restaurant serving grilled chicken, beef, pork and pelibuey (lamb). Very popular among the locals. The restaurant is named after the Pelibuey sheep that does not grow wool, making it suitable for warm climates.

Tacos Marlene. Great place for the typical Leon dish of Tacos de la Salle. Dine-in or take-out.

Restaurante Casa Vieja. Small cozy restaurant serving excellent Nicaraguan food. More popular among the Leonéses than tourists. Try their refreshing house lemonade.

Tacubaya. Fantastic Cuban and other Latin American food in very nice and pleasant environment. Try their lechón with yuca. Friendly service. Considered by many to be the best restaurant in León.

El Bodegón. Nice Cuban food that is popular among tourists, but not quite as good as Tacubaya two blocks further north.

ViaVia. Popular local and international hangout with live music every Friday and trivia nights on Mondays. Has both international and Nicaraguan food. For typical Nicaraguan food, try a rich and delicious bowl of indio viejo or their excellent nacatamales cooked in banana leaves. In the back there is a hostel with 2 dorm-rooms and 6 well-kept private rooms with bath.

El Sesteo. Great location with views of the cathedral. Has a diverse menu from typical local food and beverages to fast food.

Coco Calala. Tasty vegan food in pleasant outdoor seating in a luch garden. Great fruit drinks. Popular among international travelers. Also a small delightful hostel with swimming pool.

Mañana Mañana Café. Serves light fair such as hamburgers, salads, pasta, and paninis in a pleasant minimalist setting. To drink, there is a wide variety of coffees, including cappuccino, espresso, latte and mochachino, as well as smoothies, juices and lemonade.

Los Pescaditos. Best seafood in León. Worth the long walk or short cab ride.

El Victoriano. Excellent restaurant at hotel El Convento. Great steaks.

Casa Lola. New restaurant in an old historical building, with tables in and around a beautiful court yard. Excellent meat and seafood dishes. Wide selection of fancy coctails and rum. Best place in León for a romantic dinner.

La Antigua 1620. Excellent food served in the oldest house in León, with many historical pictures on the walls. The taco appetizer is superb. Ask for a table by one of the old windows overlooking the street.

Montezerino. Meat restaurant serving a good fillet mignon or churrasco. It is open on the sides and serves as a night club at night.

Drink

Café Libélula. Great coffee and pastries. A/C and wifi.

Bars For bar hopping, there is a cluster of bars in La Zona Rosa, one block west of Central Park.

La Fabrica. Spaceous nicely decorated bar. Salsa dancing on Thursdays.

El Bárbaro. Resurected after the old bar burned down. Soccer and boxing on the TV screens.

Snake. A sports bar where you can watch the tele if your companions are too boring. Karaoke on most nights.

Gecko's Bar. One of the biggest bars in León. Always lively at night. Alternative place where diversity is the main ingredient. You will find a wide variety of domestic and imported drinks and some dishes to try.

Sleep

Hostal Lazybones. Clean hostel with real beds and pillows. Check out the mural. No kitchen access.

Volcano Hostel. Friendly, peaceful and clean hostel, where you can relax in one of the hammocks by the pool. Restaurant, wifi, pet friendly (surcharge).

La Tortuga Booluda. Quiet hostel with swimming pool. Complimentary breakfast, organic coffee and filtered water. Free WiFi. A/C optional. Has a book exchange and bike rentals.

Bigfoot Hostel. Rowdy party place with many backpackers. Dorms and private rooms.

Hostel D´Oviedo. More like a bed and breakfast than a hostel. A lovely Nicaraguan couples have converted their home into a hostel. Breakfast and really fast internet are included. Guests are also allowed to use their kitchen.

Los Balcones. Has A/C, real mattresses, nice views, hot water, and great service. Friendly English-speaking staff.

El Convento. The most beautiful hotel in León, with rooms organized around a nicely landscaped courtyard. It is located next to the San Francisco church, in what used to be the former Franciscan monastery. To honor its history, the hotel has some beautiful religious artwork. Worth a visit for lunch or dinner and a walk around the place even if you are not staying there.

Hotel La Perla. High end hotel in an old building from 1858. Nice pool.