City of León

A MAGNIFICENT LOOK TO THE SPANISH COLONIAL CENTRAL AMERICA

Countries
Nicaragua

Zones
Central

Themes
Culture, World Heritage

Tour the city of Leon, an example of Spanish colonial architecture in Central America and its Cathedral, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The origin of the city of León dates back to the ancient city of “León Viejo” which was founded by the colonizer Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524. In the wake of an earthquake and the eruption of the volcano in 1610, the city moved to a new site in a fertile and wide valley next to the indigenous settlement of Sutiaba. The municipality of León, located in the western region of the country, has a tropical savanna climate, with pronounced dry season between the months of November to April, and a rainy season, between the months of May to October.

The delineated and long streets of the city of León, also known as the “University City”, evoke the colonial era. The existing churches in large numbers are an attraction of cultural order for their architectural features and antiquity, standing among them the majestic Cathedral of León, Central America largest Cathedral, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. From a stylistic point of view, the monument shows the transition from Baroque to Neo-classic and is characterized by the sobriety of its decoration. The Cathedral contains important movable works of art. In addition, the city features a varied offer of historical-cultural tourism, housing various museums and churches of the colonial era.

The tourist offer of the municipality of León is diverse, also offering adventure tourism and community rural tourism, standing out the volcanic complex Las Pilas-El Hoyo and Cerro Negro, where the famous extreme sport of sandboarding is practiced.

Finally, low-density sun and beach tourism is one of the attractions during the summer, as the area has attractions such as the Juan Venado Island Natural Reserve and the beaches of Poneloya, Las Peñitas and Salinas Grande.

León Viejo
Masaya National Park
  • Manuel Antonio National Park and its Beaches

    Manuel Antonio National Park and its Beaches

  • Cerro Negro Volcano

    Cerro Negro Volcano

  • Don Alfonso Hot Springs

    Don Alfonso Hot Springs

RECOMMENDED TOURS

Relaxation and culture in Central America

Move across the streets of La Antigua Guatemala, take the Route of the Flowers, and visit Joya de Cerén and Copán, through this 9-day tour.

  • Central - North
  • Archeology and History - Culture - Nature - World Heritage
  • El Salvador - Honduras - Nicaragua
  • 6 - 9 days
See

Community Tour

Visit La Antigua Guatemala, the traditional markets, Lake Atitlán, the Route of the Flowers among other natural and cultural wonders.

  • Central - North
  • Community Tourism - Culture - Nature - Sun and Beach
  • El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras
  • 14 - 18 days
See

Fast Central America

Enjoy Nicaragua and Costa Rica in this tour that will take you to Managua, León, Granada, Monteverde, and La Fortuna, among other great places.

  • Central - South
  • Community Tourism - Culture - Nature - Sun and Beach - World Heritage
  • Costa Rica - Nicaragua
  • 10 - 13 days
See

Essential Central America

Get to know Guatemala and Costa Rica in depth on this tour through their main tourist attractions, both cultural and natural.

  • North - South
  • Archeology and History - Culture - Nature - Sun and Beach - World Heritage
  • Costa Rica - Guatemala
  • 10 - 13 days
See

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage to the most important religious sites of Guatemala and El Salvador on this tour. Discover historic churches, cathedrals, and sanctuaries.

  • Central - North
  • Cultural Diversity - Culture
  • El Salvador - Guatemala
  • 6 - 9 days
See