León is a department that has a lot to offer. In addition to the colonial city of León, you can also find many small, picturesque towns that border the Pacific Ocean, great for sun and beach activities, a range of volcanoes offering a variety of possible activities, ruins from the past, among other attractions. The city of León is located about 100 km from Managua and can be easily reached by the new highway.

León still has an architecturally interesting center with many old, colonial houses, streets, monuments, and churches. The churches La Merced, El Calvario, San Juan, San Francisco, Sutiaba and La Recolección are among the most interesting. León also played a crucial role in the uprising against the regime of the Somoza dictatorship in the 1970's. There was a strong Sandinista-movement in the area, which emerged mostly from the students who studied at the University of León, one of the first universitites in Central America. There are still many related museums and monuments to be found in the city.

There is also a museum about Rubén Darío, who lived in León during the first 14 years of his life. Other museums include a museum about the legends of the area (the Museum of Legends and Traditions), one about the indigenous community (Indigenous Sutiaba Museum), as well as several art museums.

During holy week (Semana Santa) there are beautiful, picturesque sawdust beds are placed on the streets in front of the churches, especially in the old neighborhood of Subtiab

Getting around this wonderful city is really easy to do, and cheap too ! There are dozens and dozens of taxis ready to take you to your destination and they charge most times 12-15 Cordoba(50-75 cents) during the day and 15-20 Cordoba ( 75 cents to just over a dollar ) at night. Then there is the local buses and trucks that charge 3 Cordoba(15 cents)per ride which is a deal for sure. You can also walk as this is a very walkable place but best to take a taxi at night, it is so cheap after all. To go out of town you have two options, there is the infamous chicken buses, yellow school buses, and more comfortable mini vans that offer express routes to all the major cities throughout the country.

Quetzaltrekkers is an organization in Leon that offers hikes to the area Volcanoes and is run by volunteers from all over the world, all the proceeds that is taken in from the hikes and sales of T-shirts and other items goes to help the Homeless and less fortunate children of Leon. Stop by their office to go on an amazing hike, they have lots to choose from or you can volunteer with them for a few months , great way to check out the city and meet new people.

There are a number of great places to stay in Leon for every budget but mostly there are some really cheap and fun youth hostels that are right in the center of all the action. Here I have listed my top picks.

Hostel Tortuga Booluda

Located in the center of the city of León, Hostal Tortuga Booluda offers a relaxing atmosphere, comfortable beds, a complete book exchange, house guitars, bar, and more.

Big foot Hostel

This new place, run by enthusiastic and ultra-friendly Aussie, Darryn, and local staff, is a treat to stay at. A popular bar out front leads to large dorm rooms situated arround a green, grassy courtyard with hammocks and whicker rocking chairs. Dorms and the four private rooms are simple, with emphasis on being clean and cheap, and there is a kitchen with free coffee. There is a good vibe and it is a good place to meet other travelers, providing it is not already full. There are also tours run from the hostel.

Room Prices:
Lower:$4 for a dorm
Higher:$9 for a double room

Lazy bones Hostel

Lazybones is a place to kick back, makes friends and relax amid the stunning natural beauty of Nicaragua.

they offer:
- swimming pool
- free internet
- free wireless access
- free 10 min. phone call to your country of choice for each night you stay
- free dvd movie rentals
- free coffee
- free tea
Dorms are $8.00 in total. the 15% nica tax is included in the price.

They have two dorm rooms with solid carved oak bunk beds, individual large lockers, real mattresses and fans in the room to keep you cool.

Via Via hostel

This has been a popular hostel for a long time. There is a very lively bar/cafe out front, so lively it shakes the front dorm at times, which leads through to a grassy rear courtyard with hammocks and chairs. Rooms are okay and it is a toss-up between here and Bigfoot, both of which often get full by the afternoon.

Room Prices:
Lower:$3 Dorm
Higher:$9 Double

Just ask any taxi driver to take you to one of these popular hostels as Leon does not work off of a street address system.

Spanish Schools in León

Schools are in flux in León, with a few new ones being formed at press time, and the oldest one being disbanded. Ask about Spanish schools in the Casa de Cultura, or check the bulletin board at the Vía Vía Hospedaje for private tutors and lessons. Also, Va Pues Tours (tel. 011/505/606-2276, info@vapues.com, www.vapues.com) recently began offering an intensive, full-immersion Spanish course: US$195 for 20 hours of one-on-one class (over five days), includes room and board.

Great food at the local market, behind the main cathedral. 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. A few blocks south of the Parque de los Poetas is Buena Cuchara, where the food is delicious-- 25 cordobas for a full lunch, including either fish or chicken (both delicious).

On the boulevard out of town toward Chinandega, across from the main police station, there's a green house with a porch. This 'Pelo de chancho', where you get the best Mondongo soup in León, but you have to get there early for lunch or they might run out.
[edit] Mid-range

Cocin Arte is a great vegetarian restaurant. Most vegetarians would not mind setting up camp at this restaurant during their stay in Leon while there are also a couple dishes offered for carnivores. Take about 4 dollar for a meal and a drink. The service tends to be slow but the food is well-worth the wait. They also sell organic chocolates and coffee.

Los Pescaditos, located in Subtiava, is worth the cab ride (less than 10 minutes from Cathedral). You should check out the Subtiava Church on the way back to walk off your meal.
[edit] Splurge

Montserrat (or something similar) is on the bypass near the Managua intersection. They serve a good fillet mignon or churrasco for under $10 US. The restaurant serves as a night club at night. It is open on the sides and large.
[edit][add listing] Drink

Payitas, El Sesteo during the day.

Don Senor's has a restaurant downstairs to eat, drink and watch tv. Upstairs is a club that charges a 30 cordoba cover.

Dilectus is fancier and larger then the other discos. Its on the edge of town and requires a taxi to get there and back. The cover is about c$50.

Salon Estrella is about 20 cordobas to get in, has slot machines in front, a small dance floor in the back, loud music and usually gets pretty full.

La Calabiza at night.

ViaVia has live music every Friday (follow the crowed when it closes at 11 pm - it's still a hostel, with tired travellers...).

El Divino Castigo (3 blocks north of parque central) got live music every Tuesday. La Esquina del Movimiento (one block east of the above) got Spanish alternative movies almost every Thursday, and often live music on Saturdays.
[edit][add listing]

The Mauseleo Murals tell the history of Nicaragua. You just have to stand a moment there and somebody comes and wants to tell you the story - for the pay of course - in my case a teacher of deaf children. She knew the history and I learnt new things, but at the same time it was annoying because I wanted to concentrate on taking photos and she didn't want to respect it. More about her in the El Fortín tip. Anyway I found these murals very interesting and wished that they would be protected so next generations would see them as well.

It is best not to use travelers checks in Leon or anywhere in Nicaragua as most places do not accept them or change them. The only currency that one can usual change is U.S. Dollars but in cash. Most places it is not safe to change on the street but here that is how you do it, you can also change in the bank but street changers are safe and offer a slightly better rate. It is not wise to carry a lot of cash so the best way I have found is just get money out with your ATM card whenever needed, there are many banks in the center that do not change a fee, although your local branch may.