Leon | From Behind The Lens..
- Rob Molyneux
- Oct 22, 2018
- 2 min read
¡Bienvenido a Leon!
The home of the revolution, Leon is a city that is heaped in history, you are constantly reminded by visible evidence of what happened here in Nicaragua during the civil war, from bullet holes, to political graffiti, to locals showing off their scars. The effects of what happened here are very much what makes Leon and Nicaragua the place it is today!
Although Leon is not as easy on the eye as most other major cities in the area, but for what it lacks in glamour it more than makes up for it with true grit, and a surprising amount of charm. Wander the streets and interact with the locals, and uncover its hidden gems.. One of which isn't so hidden anymore, as it becomes more and more popular with travelling instagrammers, and I'm sure that you would be familiar with it if you have started to research Leon. This is the Our Lady of Grace Cathedral, but this isn't your ordinary visit to a cathedral, although the exterior is nice to look at and is pretty interesting to visit inside, it is the rooftop that is the real star of the show! Take the stairs to the top and you will be stunned by its pearly white canvas! So much so that, you need to wear sunglasses to cover your eyes from its glare! From this prominent spot, you are also treated to some great views spanning over the city, and your guide will point out some landmarks and explain significance of each one.
Another gem that must be visited is the Museo de la Revolucion.. Now this is advertised by most hostels and tour agencies, however it seems to slip through the majority of travellers priorities while in Leon. Our advice would be to make this a priority! Located in the centre of town, within an old run down building that was a focal point in the civil war, you are guided around by not only a local but by someone who actually was there fighting in the war! This tour gives you an incredible insight of what life was like during these times and the guide will be more than happy to tell you his part in it (scars and all).
Now for what has become the main attraction for the city of Leon, the volcano boarding! Yes you heard right, you are led to the top of Cerro Negro, where you will nervously climb onto your board, before flinging yourself down the side of the volcano and landing in a heap of volcanic ash at the bottom! Sounds good doesn't it! To top it off most hostels will also offer the person with the fastest time, some free shots back at the hostel bar! Expect to wake up with headaches, and not just from the hangover!
This is a great city to explore on foot, make sure to spend some time looking out for and appreciating the political graffiti that can be found all over the city! Take your pick of the many bars on offer to listen to some live music and party the night away with the locals!
Before you visit for yourself, here is a look from behind the lens..
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