Nicaragua - Leon

Taking a chicken bus North the city of Leon would be our next stop. Leon translates as Lion in English hence the lion statues all around the city. León is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as León Santiago de los Caballeros and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial churches, secular buildings, and private residences. As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 191,076 which increases sharply during university season with many students coming from other regions of Nicaragua.  We both liked Leon its an old charming rustic working colonial city. The buildings are very old and  falling apart, it certainly did not have so much the touristy feeling that our previous stop Granada had. Leon is a rough and ready Granada which made it feel more special. Many of the buildings had paint missing and were covered in muriels. Many people fall in love with Granada, but most of them leave their heart in León.

The cathedral in the main square is the largest in Central America. We climbed to the roof of the Cathedral and was rewarded with some great views of the city.  We spent Sunday morning at the Casa de Cultur (art gallery), as this is the free entrance day.

Las Penitas was a Pacific beach 30 mins away, were we spend one afternoon and stayed to watch the sunset. Overall we spent two days in Leon which would be our last stop in Nicaragua.