Leon Itinerary (3 Days): Complete Day-by-day Breakdown

Leon Itinerary (3 Days): Complete Day-by-day Breakdown

Welcome to León, a vibrant colonial city located in western Nicaragua. Bursting with history, art and food, Leon offers travellers an amazing place to explore both Nicaragua’s rich cultural heritage as well as its natural beauty.

Whether you’re looking for scenic hikes, adrenaline-filled excitement, or opportunities to learn more about the country, the former Nicaraguan capital and second-largest city has it all. This 3-day Leon itinerary will guide you through the must-see activities, delicious cuisine, and immersive experiences for your upcoming trip!

Leon Itinerary in Short

• Day 1: Explore the city
• Day 2: Volcano boarding on Cerro Negro
• Day 3: Telica Volcano Hike

How to use this Leon Itinerary: This itinerary follows what I think is the best 3 days in Leon. That being said, the days and activities can easily be shuffled around to suit your needs. For example, if you arrive in Leon in the afternoon, you could begin with a sunset volcano boarding session, explore a museum, or walk around the city, and then do the walking tour another morning.

It’s also worth noting that Leon is one of the hottest cities in the whole of Central America, so try to avoid being out in the heat during the middle of the day.

Leon Itinerary in Full

How many days do you need in Leon, Nicaragua?

3 days is the perfect amount of time to explore Leon in Nicaragua. This will give you the time to enjoy the main activities and get a feel for the nature and history that encapsulate the city.

Whilst Leon features on nearly every Nicaragua itinerary you will find, I wouldn’t say there’s enough to fill any more than a week. That is unless you really want to slow down and live the Leon life!

I would consider extending to a 4 or 5-day visit for one of only two reasons. Firstly, if I was backpacking and wanted to slow down and have a rest from packing my bags so frequently. Or if I wanted to do any of the more time-consuming overnight hikes located just outside of Leon. Other than that, 3 days in Leon felt about right.

Compared to Granada (the new capital of Nicaragua), I found Leon had more character and felt more authentic. Whereas Granada felt larger and (for the most part) cleaner. Both cities are unique in their own ways, and personally, it’s difficult to choose between the two. I would give them both a similar amount of time to explore.

NOTE: If you don’t have much time (or budget), some companies offer tours combining multiple activities. For example, visiting Telica and volcano boarding on the same day. However, I recommend splitting up if possible.

3-Day Leon Itinerary

Day 1: Explore the city on foot

AM: Free Walking Tour

Taking a walking tour around Leon is a fantastic way to start your trip. There’s no better way to learn about a new place than to walk around and hear about its history.

If you have just entered Nicaragua from El Salvador or Honduras, this will give you a helpful understanding of Nicaragua’s past and present issues. If you are visiting Leon at the tail-end of your trip, the walking tour should hopefully expand your knowledge. Either way, the Leon walking tour is one of the best you’ll find.

I recommend the ‘Original Walking Tour’ which starts at 9am and takes approximately 3 hours. The start point can be found along El Parque Heroes y Martires (here). Alternatively, you can book in advance with Guru Walk. Our guide (shout out to Antonio) was amazing, speaking proudly and truthfully about his country in both Spanish and English.

While you won’t stray far from the starting point in Leon’s historic center, you will learn a lot along the way! From the stories behind the colourful murals to Nicaragua’s history, politics, currency, industry and nature. I particularly enjoyed the walk through Leon market where everyone chipped in a small amount of money to taste-test a variety of local foods.

Hopefully inspired by the walking tour in the morning, you can find somewhere good around the city for lunch.

TOP TIP: Ask your guide for recommendations around the city.

TOP TIP: Leave a tip if you learn something new! (Which you will do!)

Time: 9:00
Duration: 2-3hours
Price: Free (tip only)

PM: Cathedral for sunset

Refueled after lunch, it’s time to continue exploring!

In typical Central American style, the streets of Leon are adorned with colourful buildings, detailed architecture and street-sellers on most corners. It’s really interesting to wander around, and even better for photographers!

Perhaps the most majestic building in the city is the Cathedral-Basilica. Or to use its full name Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You will have seen this impressive, white building on the walking tour already, but you can go inside for free or pay a small fee to head up to the roof.

You can buy tickets for 100NIO at the tourist office near the back of the cathedral, tucked away at the end of a small tunnel. Then you head up a small passageway to the bell tower. You are required to take your shoes off before heading outside onto the roof.

Standing on the top of Central America’s tallest cathedral gives you 360-degree views over Leon and its surrounding volcanoes. Its all-white structure also makes an interesting backdrop for any photos.

The cathedral is at its most beautiful during sunset. And though the cathedral officially closes at 17:00, if you get there before then, they will often let tourists stay and watch the sun go down.

NOTE: Sunset is the busiest time to visit the cathedral. If you want it all to yourself, go during the day when it’s quieter (but not when it’s closed).

Times: 8:00-12:00, 14:30-17:00
Duration: 30mins
Price: $3 / 100NIO

Day 2: Museum + Volcano Boarding at Cerro Negro

AM: Revolution Museum

Since Leon is the cultural hub of Nicaragua, there are plenty of museums to choose from!

If you are interested in the history of Leon and Nicaragua, I highly recommend visiting the Museo de la Revolucion.

It showcases Nicargaua’s revolutionary past with photos, books, memorabilia, and more. Entry was $3 USD which included a guided tour that took around an hour.

I found it a brief yet interesting way to spend time before a more exerting afternoon!

Times: 9:00-17:00
Duration: 1 hour (approx)
Price: $3 / 100NIO

PM: Volcano Boarding at Cerro Negro

Without a doubt, the activity Leon is most famous for is volcano boarding at Cerro Negro! Hence, I’ve written a dedicated blog post on it here.

In short, it’s an adrenaline-filled afternoon involving a volcano hike up Cerro Negro, followed by a speedy descent on a sled-like board! Plus Leon is one of the only places in the world you can do it!

There are several options to book volcano boarding in Leon. If you are a backpacker who likes to party, Bigfoot Hostel is the best (and most popular) option to book with. Occasionally you can book volcano boarding on the same day, but it’s best to book at least one day in advance to ensure a spot.

Most sunset volcano boarding tours include food and drink, which means you don’t need to worry about dinner.

Day 3: Telica Volcano Hike

AM: Ortiz-Gurdian Foundation Art Museum

I’ll be honest, I took my third morning in Leon as a quiet one after hitting the bars post-volcano boarding… 😵 I wandered around the market and found a nice cafe which was lovely.

But, that doesn’t mean to say that you can’t do something more active!

If you are interested in art, you can visit the Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian. It’s the biggest art gallery in Leon, housing the works of Picasso and Warhol, along with other famous names. Unlike other museums, the Ortiz-Gurdian looks more like a mansion with beautiful gardens in the courtyard and rooms curated with the artwork.

Times: 10:00-18:00 (Except Mondays)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Price: $3 / 100NIO

PM: Sunset Hike at Telica Volcano

One of the great things about Leon is its proximity to vast natural landscapes! These offer plenty of opportunities to go hiking and explore even more of Nicaragua’s volcanoes. One of the most popular because of its beautiful sunrises and sunsets is the Telica volcano hike.

Like the volcano boarding, we embarked on this adventure in the afternoon in order to enjoy the serene landscapes at sunset!

From Leon, it’s just over an hour of bumpy offroad tracks to reach the trailhead. From there, we hiked for an hour to reach the crater. It’s all uphill on the way out over rocky terrain, but the route is relatively easy and doable for beginners.

The crater is huge! There are no barriers, so you look down into the abyss. Depending on the wind, you may be able to smell the fumes.

After taking a few photos of the crater, we walked around to the other side of the volcano to watch the sunset.

On route, we made a brief optional stop at the so-called ‘bat cave’. There’s no connection to Batman, but there were a lot of bats inside!

From our sunset spot on the volcano, we sat down, enjoyed the view and made our dinner.

Once the sun goes down, it gets dark very quickly! With no light pollution and on a clear day, it’s perfect for looking up at the stars and a wonderful way to end your Leon itinerary!

We hiked back down to the vehicle that dropped us back in the city.

NOTE: A headtorch, or at least a phone light, is recommended here.

Some operators offer an overnight option for the Telica hike where you pitch up your tent near the crater and hike down the following day. While the distance of the hike doesn’t require this, it must be pretty epic waking up on an active volcano!

Times: 14:00-20:00 (based on February sunset times)
Duration: 6-7 hours total
Price: $45

Leon Itinerary Map

How to use this Leon Itinerary Map: Click on the icon in the top left of the map to reveal the list of locations. This list includes accommodation, food, drinks, and activities. Click on the icon in the top right of the map to view a larger version of the map.

Leon Budget

You’re probably wondering how much should you expect to spend during this 3-day Leon itinerary.

Whilst Nicaragua is cheap in terms of accommodation, food and drink, the activities on offer in Leon can quickly burn through your budget! I appreciated the included breakfast with my hostel which saved some money.

As a backpacker, I spent $142.50 during my three days in Leon, which averaged just over $47 a day. The breakdown is approximately as follows:

NOTE: Beers are not included as this will vary from person to person. But one beer in a bar would normally cost around 80-100 NIO which is less than $3.

What to do if you have more time in Leon?

If you are not tied to a strict timeline and want to experience more than just the ‘highlights’ of Leon, there are a few more options for your Leon itinerary.

Day trip to Las Penitas or Poneloya

This stunning beach is just a 30-minute drive away from Leon. Lots of companies offer day trips or shuttles there, or you can get one of the hourly chicken buses from Leon. You could extend your stay in one of the hotels along the coastline. I recommend staying at Las Penitas so you can fully unwind.

Poneloya is situated just along the coast from Las Penitas and is much lesser known, but acts as a quieter alternative.

Hike Volcan de Hoyo

Not far from Cerro Negro is a curious-looking volcano with a circular crater on what looks like the side of a hill. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to do this, but it’s top of my list if ever I return to Leon!

Climb San Cristobal Volcano

Further out than the likes of Telica and Hoyo, and located more towards Chinandega, the San Cristobal volcano is worth the journey as it’s the tallest volcano in Nicaragua. Standing at 1745m (5725ft), the hike up San Cristobal is tough, but you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views! I recommend picking up a guide in Leon.

More museums

Besides the Revolution Museum and the Ortiz Art Centre, there is also the Museo Ruben Dario which delves into the history and works of Nicaragua’s most famous poet, from within his childhood home in Leon. Plus the Museum of Traditions and Legends, housed in an old prison building, which tells the story of Nicaraguan folklore through the use of puppet displays.

Where to go after Leon?

Once you have seen all that Leon has to offer, you have a number of choices for where to go next. The south of Nicaragua is generally well-connected so you have lots of flexibility.

My personal choice would be a few days of relaxing in Las Penitas, just 30 minutes away!

If you are travelling east through Nicaragua, your next stop could be in Granada.

Whereas, if Leon is your last stop in Nicaragua as you head west, you will be entering Honduras. You can either stay here and explore Tegucigalpa before exploring the rest of Honduras. Or you can continue into El Salvador, where you can start with the surfer town of El Tunco.

Alternatively, you could check out Managua for a day before flying out and exploring somewhere else entirely! Take a flight to the idyllic Corn Islands in the northeast of Nicaragua.

Before you go

Thank you for reading my 3-day Leon itinerary in Nicaragua. If guides, itineraries and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.

If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.

Happy travelling!