Where to Stay in Leon, Nicaragua
Are you wondering where to stay in Leon, Nicaragua? Read on to discover my top picks for the best places to stay in Leon, from beautiful and affordable luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels.
Leon ended up being my favorite destination in Nicaragua.
So much so that I ended up extending my stay from four to five to six nights. Part of it was because of the city itself, and part of it was because I loved where I was staying so much (more on that later!)
Leon is known as the City of the Revolution in Nicaragua. It’s the second largest city after the capital Managua, with a population of over 200,000 people. It’s known as a student city and a cultural capital. Leon played an important role during the country’s revolution, which can be seen in the the city’s many memorials, monuments, and murals. At the same time, it’s also a beautiful and historic colonial city.
These are some of the best things to do in and around Leon:
- Climb to the white-domed rooftop of the Leon Cathedral at sunset (admission is $3)
- Go volcano boarding on nearby Cerro Negro (I booked my volcano boarding tour with Bigfoot Hostel, which is more of a party atmosphere — another popular company to book with is Volcano Day)
- Visit the Ortíz Gurdián Foundation Art Center, a museum with an impressive collection of art that is housed in a series of stunning colonial buildings (admission is $3)
- Take a free walking tour to learn more about Leon’s revolutionary past
- Visit the Museum of the Revolution to gain even more perspective about history (the museum itself is kind of shabby, but admission is only $3 and included an English-speaking guide)
- Take a day trip to the nearby beach town of Las Peñitas only 30 minutes from Leon
- Hike a nearby volcano like Telica or El Hoyo (you can also camp overnight on a tour)
As I mentioned, I ended up spending six days in Leon, although you really only need around three days.
However, I loved the atmosphere of the city and appreciated how it wasn’t primarily geared towards tourism like Granada or some other destinations in Nicaragua. It felt like a real and livable city.
Best Hotels in Leon, Nicaragua
So where should you stay in Leon? Like the rest of Nicaragua, Leon is a pretty affordable destination.
If you want to splurge like I did, you can get a great luxury hotel for a reasonable price. Or if you’re on more of a backpacker budget, there are plenty of affordable hostels and hotels to choose from also.
I personally stayed at Hotel El Convento and I LOVED it. In fact, I ended up extending my stay by an extra night not once but twice because I enjoyed the hotel so much. This four-star luxury hotel is an amazing value and I truly enjoyed everything about my stay here, so I would not hesitate to recommend it.
This hotel located in a historic convent features a beautiful and tranquil garden area, a small swimming pool, plenty of comfortable areas to relax and escape the heat, and a nice included buffet breakfast.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in Leon:
- Best luxury: Hotel El Convento
- Best mid-range: Hotel Flor de Sarta
- Best on a budget: ViaVia Leon
And here’s a full breakdown of where to stay in Leon.
Tip: I use and recommend Booking.com for getting the best deal on hotels. If you book directly through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stay to Wander!
Hotel El Convento
As I mentioned above, Hotel El Convento is where I stayed in Leon and I absolutely loved it. This luxury hotel offers great value for money and was the perfect oasis in the middle of the hot, bustling city. Located in a historic convent, this hotel has a beautiful design and plenty of luxurious touches throughout.
There’s a beautiful central garden, a swimming pool, plenty of airy common areas, and a delicious included buffet breakfast. I recommend asking for one of the rooms facing the courtyard. The hotel is also just a few blocks from the central plaza of Leon and across the street from the Ortíz Gurdián Foundation Art Center.
Hotel La Perla
Another elegant luxury hotel in Leon is Hotel La Perla. Although I did not stay at this hotel, it looks amazing and would be my top pick after Hotel El Convento if you’re looking for a higher-end hotel in Leon.
This hotel is centrally located and set in a beautiful historic building. It offers comfortable and stylish guest rooms, a small outdoor swimming pool, a lovely garden, and free breakfast each morning.
Hotel La Recolección
Hotel La Recolección is another nice place to stay in Leon. This three-star hotel provides comfortable, traditional rooms in a great location. Everything you could want to do in Leon is just a short walk away.
The hotel is located directly opposite the striking yellow Church of the Recollection, and some rooms offer great views of the church from the balcony. There is no swimming pool. Breakfast is included.
Hotel Flor de Sarta
Hotel Flor de Sarta is a quiet, comfortable mid-range hotel in Leon. It’s located slightly further outside the center, but it’s still just a ten-minute walk to Leon Cathedral and the main plaza of the city.
This peaceful hotel offers spacious and airy guest rooms, common areas like a lounge and library, and an outdoor swimming pool. Breakfast is also included each morning during your stay at this hotel.
Hostal Casa Abierta
Another great mid-range hotel in Leon is Hostal Casa Abierta. This hotel is a hidden oasis in the center of the city, just one block away from the main plaza and the cathedral, but tucked away in a quiet courtyard.
Rooms at this hotel are affordable, but note that only some of them offer air conditioning (unlike all of the previous hotels on this list which have all air-conditioned rooms.) So double check this before you book if you want to have AC! There is a swimming pool at this hotel. However, breakfast is not included.
Hostal La Tortuga Booluda
Moving into budget options in Leon, Hostal La Tortuga Booluda is a great place to stay. This affordable hostel offers both dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and private rooms with private bathrooms.
Some but not all of the private rooms have air conditioning. There is a nice outdoor garden area with hammocks and lounge chairs and a small swimming pool. Free breakfast is also included each morning.
ViaVia Leon
ViaVia Leon is another good hostel to check out. It’s on a lively street in a central location, and right across from Bigfoot Hostel, a notorious party hostel. However, ViaVia is a little quieter and more low-key.
There’s a bar and restaurant at the front, with rooms in the back around a central courtyard. You can book volcano boarding with Volcano Day at the hostel, as well as other tours. There are dorm rooms and private rooms here, although none of them offer air conditioning, only fans. Breakfast is an extra $2.
Poco a Poco Hostel
One more affordable hostel in Leon to check out is Poco a Poco Hostel. Located in a quiet area but still just a few blocks from all the action, this is a good place to base yourself in Leon if you are on a budget.
Poco a Poco Hostel offers dorm rooms and private rooms, some with air conditioning. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a shared kitchen, and a garden. Free breakfast is also included with your stay.
Where to Stay in Leon, Nicaragua
This guide showed you where to stay in Leon, Nicaragua.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury: Hotel El Convento
- Best mid-range: Hotel Flor de Sarta
- Best on a budget: ViaVia Leon
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Leon!
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