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Why visit Leon?

León is a colourful colonial city in western Nicaragua, set between the Pacific coast and a chain of volcanoes. It is a lively university town of low painted houses, shady squares and old churches. During the colonial period it was the country's capital, and it remains a centre of culture and learning. Prices are low, and it is a popular stop for backpackers travelling through Central America.

The great white Cathedral of León, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominates the main square, and you can walk on its white roof for views over the city to the volcanoes beyond. Rubén Darío, Nicaragua's most famous poet, is buried inside, and the house where he grew up is now a museum. Nearby, the ruins of León Viejo, the city's original site, are also listed by UNESCO. The best-known adventure is volcano boarding on Cerro Negro, a young, bare black volcano: you hike to the top carrying a board, then slide down its slope of loose volcanic gravel. The Pacific beaches of Poneloya and Las Peñitas are a short drive away for surfing and sunsets. León is around two hours by road from Managua, where the international airport is. The best time to visit is November to March, the dry season, though it is hot all year.

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