Are you headed to León, but don’t want to limit your time in Nicaragua to a single city? You’re in the right place: León is ideally located for day trips of all types.

While there’s more than enough to keep you occupied in the city alone, your travel time is precious, and there’s tons to see and do all across Nicaragua! (If you want to maximize your dedicated days in León, make sure you prioritize these six essential things to do).

Make the most of your visit with a day trip from León–or two or three–that brings you to the beaches, volcanoes, and ancient ruins lying beyond the city’s boundaries. Check out the six best day trips from León so you don’t have to compromise when you go to Nicaragua:

Las Peñitas 

León has two beautiful beaches located within an hour of the city. The closer of the two, Playa Las Peñitas, is just 30 minutes away. It has lots of oceanfront restaurants with fresh seafood and a tangle of laid back surf hostels.

Las Peñitas’ proximity to León makes it slightly more accessible, but also attracts more tourists. If you aren’t feeling too picky and just want an easy beach day with good drinks and salt air, then Las Peñitas is the León day trip for you.

You can reach Las Peñitas from León by bus or taxi. Some hostels, like Bigfoot Hostel, also provide a daily group beach shuttle for as little as $5–even if you’re not a guest!

El Tránsito

If you’re willing to go a little further to reach the beach, you can venture out to El Tránsito. This fishing village sees less foot traffic than Las Peñitas and is popular for its surf breaks and natural tide pools.

El Tránsito is about an hour away from León. It’s gaining popularity, but many tourists only learn about the community by word of mouth. It’s home to some lovely hotels, including Mandla and Nimbu, and is a top choice for surfers looking to catch some waves on a day trip from León.

You can find El Tránsito by taking the public bus with a transfer, but it’s much more efficient to opt for a private ride by taxi. 

HN Hint: Trying to decide between El Tránsito and Las Peñitas? You can liken it to the difference between Popoyo and San Juan del Sur, respectively: El Tránsito has a more relaxed, small surf community feel, while Las Peñitas is a bit more developed with a centralized commercial strip. 

VOLCANO HIKE

Volcano boarding is the most well-known activity in León, but it’s not the only way to experience volcanoes in Nicaragua. León rests in the shadow of five different volcanoes, including the Pilas-El Hoyo volcano chain. You can hike each one at varying levels of difficulty, with San Cristóbal and Momotombo being more challenging and Telica and Cosigüina being easier.

The great thing about taking a volcano hike from León is that you have options to suit your schedule. Just want a taste of adventure, but aren’t looking to commit to a full day away from the city? Go for a sunset hike, or pick a volcano with a shorter commute. Ready to go all in and don’t mind devoting extra travel time to the experience? There are tours for that, too.

Whatever suits your fancy, a volcano hike is one of the best day trips from León for the active traveler. (And if you really love it, you can conquer more than one crater during your trip!)

VOLCANO CAMPING

Technically, it’s not a day trip from León–but adventurers will still love taking an overnight volcano hike in Nicaragua. 

If you’re up for spending the night outdoors, you’ll be rewarded with an incomparable sunset view and luminescent starry sky. On a clear night, you can even see roiling lava in some of the craters. Celebrate the ascent with a cozy bonfire and wake up to the sun rising above a volcano chain to top off the trip.

Volcano camping is a once in a lifetime experience in León. If you’re inclined to give it a go, we guarantee it will be unforgettable.

HN Hint: If you go volcano camping on El Hoyo Volcano, you also get the chance to swim in Lake Asososca (or, Laguna del Tigre).

SAN JACINTO MUD POOLS

San Jacinto is a small town 30 minutes northeast of León with a lot of activity going on–volcanic activity, that is. 

It’s most famous for the Battle of San Jacinto, but is also known for its bubbling mud hot springs, thanks to its underground connection to the region’s volcano chain.

HN Hint: Los Hervideros de San Jacinto are not advisable for families with young children. The mud pools’ steam is sourced from a volcano, making it dangerously hot. There are no clear trails, so use caution when walking amongst the fumaroles.

You can explore the unmarked field of San Jacinto mud pools–Los Hervideros–with a local guide, or on your own. It is about a 45 minute drive from the city center, making for an easy day trip from León.

RUINS OF LEÓN VIEJO

You may know that León is home to an UNESCO World Heritage Site with its landmark white cathedral. But did you know this Nicaraguan city actually has a second UNESCO World Heritage site? Explore León Viejo, the ruins of the original Spanish colonial settlement that would later become the León we know today. 

HN Hint: León Viejo also holds the remains of Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, who in 1524 founded the colony that would later lead to his demise.

Destroyed by an earthquake, you can tour the historic structures that are still preserved in a small town called Puerto Momotombo. The site is located an hour outside of León.

Conclusion

With so many ways to fill your days in Nicaragua, making León your home base is a savvy move. The city puts you in a great position to explore the natural and historical wonders of the region–all without ever checking out of your hotel.

Want more recommendations on which of these six best day trips from León is right for you? Comment below or ask us on Instagram!

Related content: Ultimate Guide to León, 6 Essential Things to Do in León