León is a HOT city year-round. The dry season, from November – April, is considered the best time to visit to avoid the rains and humidity, but unfortunately, it doesn’t offer much respite from the heat. You can expect the maximum average temperatures of around 90° – 95° F.

The official language of Nicaragua is Spanish, and it is of course, widely spoken in León. Nicaragua overall isn’t a huge tourist destination so you should brush up on your Spanish. You will find some people in places frequented by tourists, such as restaurants, hotels, and tour operators, speak at least basic English to accommodate international visitors. If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture and be able to talk and interact with local people, you should be able to speak some Spanish. We recommend you get a good guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me, and numbers 1-10.

Yes. The city has a general gritty feel, but most travelers feel quite at ease. We do not recommend venturing outside the core city center after dark, and if in doubt, take a taxi when walking home late. You can safely walk in the city center during both the day and in the evening. As always, take the usual precautions that you would when traveling, always stay vigilant and practice common sense to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.

León is approximately 12.4 miles from the nearest beach, Playa Las Peñitas. The good thing is that there is a public bus going directly from the main square in León to the beach, costing only a couple of dollars to get there.

No, it is not recommended to drink tap water directly. While some locals may drink it without issues, visitors are advised to stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid potential stomach discomfort or waterborne illnesses. Bottled water is widely available in Managua. Some hotels and establishments offer filtered water for guests. Ask if it’s safe for drinking.

Nicaragua observes Central Standard Time year-round. The country does not adjust to daylight saving time.

The official Nicaraguan currency is the córdoba (it is sometimes referred to as a peso). It is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 córdobas. Coins are made of 1 and 5 córdobas and 50 centavos.

U.S. dollars are widely accepted, such as in many hotels, restaurants, and shops, but it is always a good idea to carry small denominations, as getting change in USD can sometimes be difficult. To avoid unfavorable exchange rates, consider exchanging some money into córdobas at banks or authorized exchange offices. Always check the current exchange rate before making transactions.

There are ATMs in town and most have the option to withdraw Córdoba or USD. We recommend paying in Córdoba where possible as the rate is generally better.

As a university city, Leon has a varied nightlife and there are options for everyone every night of the week. There are a variety of bars and restaurants close to the theater south of Parque de Los Poetas. There are small cocktail bars dotted around the city center, as well as a few nightclubs that come alive late at night, playing reggaeton, salsa, and other dance-friendly music. The crowd is often youthful and energetic. Overall, the nightlife is casual with people often moving from one spot to another. The atmosphere is friendly, making it easy to meet both locals and fellow travelers.

Emergencies: Dial tel. 118 for local ambulance service.

Hospital Escuela Óscar Danilo Rosales Arguello (HEODRA): This is León’s primary public hospital, located near the city center. It offers emergency services and general medical care.

Many pharmacies in Nicaragua have trained staff who can provide basic medical advice and medications.