Leon Catedral

Leon and the Nicaragua Northern Coast

Population: approx. 390,000 people
Location: Northwestern Pacific side of Nicaragua, bordering the Pacific Ocean.
Attractions: Colonial architecture, antique churches and museums, rich culture, great volcanoes and beautiful beaches.

Leon is a department that has a lot to offer. In addition to the colonial city of Leon, you can also find many small, picturesque towns that border the Nicaragua Pacific Ocean, great for sun and beach activities, a range of volcanoes offering a variety of possible experiences, ruins from the past, among other attractions. The city of Leon is located about 100 km from Managua, capital of Nicaragua and can be easily reached by the new highway.

Leon: Nicaragua colonial city with a rich history

The city of Leon was originally founded by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524. This city, however, was threatened by the erupting Momotombo volcano in 1610 and its citizens decided to leave. The city was moved to another place, further away from the Momotombo volcano, to the location where it still is today.

Colonial house

Leon has always been one of the most important cities of Nicaragua, Both from economical as cultural perspective. The city functioned several times as the capital city of Nicaragua after Nicaragua's independence from Spain in 1821. Leon and Granada both struggled for the title as capital city of Nicaragua, which is why Managua was chosen to be the only capital.

Leon still has an architecturally interesting center with many old, colonial houses, streets, monuments, and churches. The churches La Merced, El Calvario, San Juan, San Francisco, Sutiaba and La Recolección are among the most interesting. Leon also played a crucial role in the uprising against the regime of the Somoza dictatorship in the 1970's. There was a strong Sandinista-movement in the area, which emerged mostly from the students who studied at the University of Leon, one of the first universitites in Central America. There are still many related museums and monuments to be found in the city.

Colonial house

Nicaragua Northern Pacific Beaches:

The beach towns in the north are sleepy, family-oriented vacation spots. Many of them are based around fishing villages where residents make their living fishing or watching over Nicaraguan vacation homes.

The people are very laid back and in these towns you will find all of the necessities, but you will not find multi-million dollar beach resorts. Not yet. Right now there are a lot of Nicaragua beachfront homes and lots available at very reasonable prices, but the secret is out and this area has seen increased foreign investment in the last year.

Each beach is different and has its own character:

Las Peñitas and Poneloya: Pacific beach towns

The beaches of Poneloya and Las Peñitas are excellent places for sun and beach activities. The little towns are located less than 25 kilometers from Leon (about 25 minutes in car). Both towns are characterized by a wide beach, great swimming possibilities, and a relaxed, tranquil atmosphere.

Poneloya was the first area to be colonized as a beach town. People from Leon as well as Managua began buying beachfront property and building houses on the beach in Poneloya. During that time the Local government of Leon passed a series of decrees that classified Poneloya as a neighborhood of the city of Leon and thus gave them the right to sell beachfront lots as fee simple land.

Poneloya has become a more exclusive residential beach town where as Las Peñitas, it neighbor to the south, has many great hostals and surf camps, as well as great restaurants and tour services. For surfing, Poneloya has a good a beachbreak and a great point break when the wind and tides are right.

In addition to the regular beach activities (sunbathing, swimming, surfing), there is more to do near Poneloya and Las Peñitas. A narrow, long-stretched island is located in North of Las Peñitas. This island is called Isla Juan Venado (Juan Venado Island), and it is a protected reserve. The island is located only about a hundred meters offshore, making it easy to get there in kayak or boat. The island is flanked mangrove forest and offers a great habitat for many animals, including thousands of birds as well as large crocodiles.

Beaches to the North

The department of Chinandega, just North of Leon, offers many pristine beaches and beautiful estuaries. Many of these sites are located north of Corinto, along the Pacific Coast. There are several small fishermen villages, like Aserradores or Jiquilillo, that are characterized by their tranquility and virgin beaches. These beaches also have some of the best surf in the country and are quickly being discovered by investors and surfers alike.

Many people say that the beaches in Chinandega are much like those of Nosara, Costa Rica. For these reasons this area has seen an influx of foreign investment in the last few years. This beach boasts the only full service Marina in the country equipped to receive large yachts. With a beautiful hotel and possible plans for a golf course, this will be a catalyst for development in the area.

A large estuary north of Jiquilillo, called the Padre Ramos Estuary, preserves a large mangrove forest and offers some spectacular nature. There is also some tourism infrastructure present at this natural reserve, which makes it possible to explore this unspoiled region and enjoy some of Nicaragua's finest nature.

Beaches to the South

South of the city of Leon, along the Pacific coastline, you can find Puerto Sandino, Playa Hermosa, El Tránsito, Montelimar.... and other sleepy beach towns. These beaches have a mixture of titled beachffront as well as lease hold land, so it is important to make sure you know what you are dealing with.

Puerto Sandino is not frequently visited but has started to be discovered because of the great swell for surfing as well as the splendid nature that is conserved in the wetlands. Groups of national and international surfers are visiting the town because of the quality of the waves. The town it self is very industrial but its beaches and wetlands are beautiful.

Playa Hermosa is one of the older residential beach developments in Nicaragua. There are a number of homes along the beach as well as surrounding the estuary that flows inland from the ocean. This wide open flat beach is truly beautiful and has a nice beach break for surfing.

El Tránsito is one of the most beautiful and unique beaches in the country. The road to El Tránsito used to be one of the worst roads in the entire country. Now with residential developments popping up in the area the road has been re-grated and is an easy drive from Managua or Leon. Some of the most beautiful Nicaraguan vacation homes are on the cliffs over looking this beautiful beach. El Tránsito is a perfect sleepy beach town with great fishing and exploring in the volcanic rocks.