This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
León is a moderate-sized colonial town located in northern Nicaragua. The colonial-style architecture is less apparent here than in cities such as Antigua, Guatemala, or San Cristobal, Mexico, but it still remains a nice change of scenery from regular urban cities. Getting here can be slightly tricky, as not all major bus routes go through Leon and therefore you may be required to stop in Managua and transfer to a collectivo-style minibus for an additional cost. Once here, however, there are multiple León hostel options that range in style, atmosphere, and guests. They are all centrally located and walking distance to facilities such as banks, grocery stores, and the central cathedral.
While in León, try volcano boarding, a new extreme sport claimed to be invented here -- it involves hiking up a volcano, and then sliding down the sand on a wooden board. Think tobogganing without the snow. Can you beat the ninety-kilometer-per-hour record? This will definitely be one to tell the grandkids about.
If you would rather hike a volcano, sleep there, and then walk down in the morning, there are multiple companies that run guided volcano tours out of León. Volcano Telica is a popular destination for travelers and locals alike. The challenging hike comes with great views and an unforgettable experience -- one you will remember for the rest of your travels.
León is a great city to relax on a terrace, sip an espresso, and soak up some unique Nicaraguan culture.
Written by local expertz for León
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