Leon City Tour

The colonial city of Leon was founded by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in the year 1524 next to Lake Xolotlan and the active Momotombo volcano. The city was actually built next to the town known as Imabite but in the year 1610 it was moved to its current location after being destroyed by a series of eruptions from the Momotombo volcano and the city was basically buried. That is why the city is called the Central American Pompey.

The ruins were found in the year 1967 and were recently declared Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In Leon Viejo we will have a very interesting tour where we learn about the early history of the first capital city of Nicaragua. On the hill where the fort is buried, we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Momotombo volcano and Lake Xolotlan.

We then continue to the Colonial city of Leon to see the main churches including the monumental cathedral, the largest in Central America and also world heritage by UNESCO located at the main square. We will also see the birdhouse of Ruben Dario, the “Ortiz Gurdian” art gallery and the “El Convento” hotel and its colonial architecture. During the walking tour get to know the historic murals of the city and understand the role played by Leon in the social, economic and political development of Nicaragua. 

We will visit the “Hervideros de San Jacinto”, and be able to get really close to the heat coming up from the interior of the earth. We also get to see the boiling mud at very high temperatures inside these craters, all of which is a very impressive spectacle to observe. 

Lunch is included