Top Things to do in Leon
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Top 8 Things to do in Leon, Nicaragua
Discover the best top things to do in Leon, Nicaragua including Cerro Negro Volcano, Telica Volcano, Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian, Basilica Catedral de la Asuncion, Museo de la Revolucion, Playa Las Penitas, Museo Ruben Dario, Museum of Legends and Traditions (Museo de Tradiciones y Leyendas).
Restaurants in Leon
1. Cerro Negro Volcano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Irena S - Copenhagen, Denmark
Do it! There is nothing to be afraid of!
If you like experiences which are special and different, try volcano boarding! I wanted to try it but at the same time I was a little bit afraid after watching small videos on youtube. It turned out that there was nothing to be worried about! It was very easy to control the speed of the board and after coming down I had a feeling of regret that I didn't try to run faster. I am 61 years old...
A lot of people write about great views, strong wind and fun during the boarding. I agree with all that, so I will concentrate on the practical things. When picked up at your hotel by the tour organiser, do not bring anything else then a bottle of water, sunglasses, sun creme, sport shoes (best in dark colour). Do not wear sandals - you will burn your feet! T-shirt and shorts are just fine, as you get a special suit covering the whole body while you are on the top of volcano. Take also a scarf to cover your face and a a sun hat which is tight enough to resist the strong wind. Or you can use your scarf as a protection from sun while you are climbing up and then as a protection of your face while you are boarding down. Before start of the hike you will get a little rucksack with a suit, gloves and a pair of goggles, where you also can carry your other things like water or sun creme. Do not bring your camera, unless it is well protected against the dust. Our guide took a lot of pictures during the whole tour and the pictures were uploaded to Facebook the same day. If you want some help with carrying your board, take 5$ which you will have to pay to the local guy who will carry it for you.
You need to be in a moderate physical condition, by another words - you will have to be able to manage one hour hiking with 3-4 short breaks. I had to friends with me - to men at the age of 65 and 71 and we all three managed to follow the group of significant younger participants. We all enjoyed the whole tour. So once more - do not let the fear stop you, try volcano boarding. Regarding local tour operator in Leon we used one called volcanoboardingnicaragua and we were very satisfied with them.
2. Telica Volcano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By Patrice_VDD - Ghent, Belgium
I did this trekking with a guide during the day starting at 7:00 in the morning. It is about 10km to reach the summit with a net to height difference of 800m. It took me 4 hours to reach the summit and 3 hours to get back. There is a part which is very steep with a path which is quite difficult. This I about one hour to 1h30. The last part is easier. If you are not use to make long and exhausting trek, there is an alternative route by 4x4.
3. Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Reviewed By George B - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Located on a quiet side street the art gallery is housed in 2 buildings.We were informed that the buildings were 200 years old. What a wonderful surrounding for some of the best art in Leon. American modern collection (Warhol, Johns and Central American artists and even early Picasso. Do not miss. Also many prints of other iconic painters.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 740 reviews
Reviewed By kcomst - kcomst
What can you say good or bad about a Cathedral? There are many of them in this city, and this one appears to be the biggest, although I haven't verified that. Very ornate by central American standards, not by European. Leon is a dirty city, and this area seems a little cleaner than the rest of the city, although travel very far in any direction and that fades. The bells peal loud here at different times of the day that do not appear to follow any regular timing. The last time I was eating at a very nice restaurant on the NW corner called El Sesteo. When the bells started ringing it hurt my ears until I was wishing it would stop. It was about 4:45 local time when it started and may have lasted 2-3 minutes.
5. Museo de la Revolucion
Overall Ratings
4 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By johnyoung22222 - Nanaimo, Canada
Our guide, a veteran of the revolution, was just so animated that he made this tour great. The museum itself is sparse; mostly consisting of some black and white photos. The guide, though, could point our his amigos, and he was also in one of the photos. He spoke in Spanish, quite quickly, but I understood enough to get the gist. Wouldn't be good if you don't know any Spanish, though.
6. Playa Las Penitas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 495 reviews
Reviewed By Brent M - Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
We made our here for an afternoon after leaving Leon on a very rough back road leaving Leon but once you hit the hiway the road is good. It's not a far drive and the countryside is very scenic. When we got to the beach area we just followed the GPS and stopped when we found a place to park.
It was a short walk to find an alley that lead to the beach. The beach is beautiful! Wide and nice soft sand. The area where we came onto it also had a large pile of huge rocks right on the ocean that you could walk on. There are several restaurant/bars if you are hungry or thirsty. We saw a few people Surfing as the tide was coming in.
7. Museo Ruben Dario
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By York476 - Fort Wayne, Indiana
This museo former house of Nicaragua’s most famous poet is free of charge recommend donation. Very pleasing cool spot in bustling Leon. Neat to see inside a home of that time with some period furniture. Very nice display- all spanish. Worth the trip for history, literature, architecture nerds. Coffee shop Libeula next door is really good.
8. Museum of Legends and Traditions (Museo de Tradiciones y Leyendas)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 239 reviews
Reviewed By T-SGlobetrotters - Preston, Lancashire
The museum which is housed in La XXl a former garrison used infamously as a prison and interrogation centre during the conflict has two very diverse themes. There are life sized paper mache figures depicting famous people in Nicaraguan history and legends, in the same display area there are murals depicting gruesome torture techniques used in the buildings during the war. The museum was created by one individual, Senora Toruna who has her own room and a figure dedicated to her.
It is difficult to know what to make of the figures. I am assuming Senora had a wicked sense of humour because the figurines with their bad wigs and ill fitting clothes have a comical appearance but the commentary which is in both Spanish and English provides good background information on both famous figures and the legends of Leon.
The murals of torture are there I guess so people do not forget the horrors of war and the atrocities which took place in the buildings. Just outside the garrison the ruins of San Sebastian church have also been preserved. The church was virtually destroyed by bombs in 1979.
As part of a walking tour of Leon it is worth a quick visit. An English speaking guide isn't necessary because the explanations in English are very clear.
