Nicaragua holiday and honeymoons; An expert guide to Leon and the Northern Highlands
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The colonial city of Leon is another of Nicaragua’s gems with picturesque plazas and intricate facades. A cultural capital dating back to the 16th century, Leon is packed with eye-catching colonial buildings and is Granada’s eternal rival. Leon is set in a land of volcanoes within easy reach of some simple fishing villages along the Pacific coast. The ski-like descent of nearby Cerro Negro volcano is recommended for an exhilarating and unique experience. The Northern HighlandsFurther north, the highlands offer spectacular scenery with trails through pristine cloud forest, home to the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, Jaguar and lots more. The scenic highland town of Matagalpa has excellent hiking and nature watching opportunities into the surrounding coffee farms and dense jungle. TO SEE AND DO: Leon City Tour. Wander through cobbled streets admiring the colonial heritage and soaking up the lively and welcoming atmosphere, sample the fresh local coffee in one of the beautiful plazas. Leon is just 1.5hrs (100km) north from Managua.Cerro Negro volcano. Half day adventurous guided tour. This active volcano is the youngest on the continent and completely covered with black volcanic debris. The summit (670m) can be reached on foot in about an hour, after hiking around the crater you rapidly descend in an unforgettable ski-like manner. The trail head is a short journey from Leon.Poneloya and Las Peñitas. These two small villages on the Pacific coast are just 25 kilometres from León. Swim or sunbathe. You can kayak around Juan Venado Island – a protected reserve flanked with mangrove forest, a great habitat for many animals, including thousands of birds as well as large crocodiles.Trekking in Matagalpa. Escape the tropical heat of the plains into the cool mountain air. Walk through pristine cloud forest reserves with spectacular views and plentiful wildlife. Horse riding is also possible.
Leon Hotels All the hotels you will find on Latin Odyssey have been handpicked by us especially for you - we don’t recommend a hotel unless we have been there! You’ll find a detailed description as well as video’s and photo’s. However, we would recommend a phone call or an email to help you to decide which hotel will be the perfect one for you.
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