{"id":26053,"date":"2018-03-23T06:39:12","date_gmt":"2018-03-22T19:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=26053"},"modified":"2025-03-17T20:29:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T09:29:48","slug":"leon-nicaragua-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/leon-nicaragua-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"5 reasons why I fell for Leon, Nicaragua (and why you will too)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Often overlooked in favor of its flashier neighbour Costa Rica, Nicaragua is a country of stunning contrast that should not be missed. Nicknamed the \u2018land of lakes and volcanoes\u2019, it offers a wealth of natural beauty and some incredible cities.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It was this diversity \u2013 and some amazing waves\u00a0\u2013 that first attracted me to <strong><a href=\"\/nicaragua\">Nicaragua<\/a><\/strong>. However, it was the spirit, friendliness, and charm of the city and people of Leon that made me so eager to call the country home for several years.<\/p>\n<p>If San Juan del Sur is Nicaragua\u2019s fresh-out-of-university party destination, Leon is its artsy, slightly sophisticated older cousin. It&#8217;s also the country&#8217;s second largest city. More a city of locals and university students than a tourist destination, the allure and youthful energy of Leon is contagious. Awash in revolutionary history, art, and colonial beauty, it&#8217;s definitely worth a visit. The locals are friendly, the food is delicious, and the nightlife is less drinking and more sweaty, sensual salsa.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_26168\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26168\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26168\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_CHURCH-THE-RECOLLECTION.jpg\" alt=\"Leon Nicaragua guide\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_CHURCH-THE-RECOLLECTION.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_CHURCH-THE-RECOLLECTION-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_CHURCH-THE-RECOLLECTION-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_CHURCH-THE-RECOLLECTION-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-26168\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Recollection Church<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Still not convinced? Here are five reasons to add Leon to your <strong><a href=\"\/costa-rica\/central-american-journey-160424\">Central America itinerary<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<h2>Revolutionary art and history<\/h2>\n<p>As a traveler in Nicaragua it was often repeated to me that in order to truly understand the country and its people I needed to know its history&#8230; and in Nicaragua, history means the revolution. Leon was the epicenter of the revolution and there is no better city in which to educate yourself. Street art, graffiti, and other monuments to the great revolutionaries and poets of Nicaragua litter the streets to this day, many of which are untouched since the 1990s.<\/p>\n<p>One of my favorite ways to take advantage of the cooler mornings in Leon was to wander around the city trying to spy some of these authentic \u2018mural bridges\u2019. For a more formal education in all things revolutionary be sure to stop by the Museo Hist\u00f3rico de la Revoluci\u00f3n where you can learn everything about the national history\u00a0\u2013 from the devastating earthquake of<br \/>\n1972 to the Sandinista overthrow.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_26172\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26172\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-AND-GUIDES-OUTSIDE-MURALS.jpg\" alt=\"Leon Nicaragua guide\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-AND-GUIDES-OUTSIDE-MURALS.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-AND-GUIDES-OUTSIDE-MURALS-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-AND-GUIDES-OUTSIDE-MURALS-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-AND-GUIDES-OUTSIDE-MURALS-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-26172\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An Intrepid group soaking up murals aplenty in Leon<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Keep an eye out for the bullet holes that riddle the buildings\u2019 infrastructure. These are leftover from the revolutionaries attack, back when the building served as the dictator&#8217;s Palace of Communications.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/adventures\/ecotourism-guide-nicaragua\/\"><strong>INTERESTED IN ECO-TOURISM? HERE&#8217;S WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT NICARAGUA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Local vibes<\/h2>\n<p>One of the most refreshing aspects of Leon is how free of tourism and commercialism it is. Leon offers a chance to truly embed yourself in \u2018Nica Life&#8217;, something that&#8217;s much harder to do in cities like Granada.<\/p>\n<p>There is no better place to brush up on your Spanish, take a salsa class or even just visit the local market. Be sure to stop by the Mercado Central where you can pick up anything from a ripe papaya or dragonfruit to a bag of yummy plantain chips. Bring your snacks along and settle in for some first-class people-watching at Parque Central. The plaza is always bustling with street performers and music, and boasts an amazing view of the famous Catedral .<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_26173\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26173\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26173\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-ON-ROOFTOP-OF-LADY-OF-GRACE-CATHEDRAL_002.jpg\" alt=\"Leon Nicaragua guide Catedral\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-ON-ROOFTOP-OF-LADY-OF-GRACE-CATHEDRAL_002.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-ON-ROOFTOP-OF-LADY-OF-GRACE-CATHEDRAL_002-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-ON-ROOFTOP-OF-LADY-OF-GRACE-CATHEDRAL_002-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERS-ON-ROOFTOP-OF-LADY-OF-GRACE-CATHEDRAL_002-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-26173\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The roof of Catedral de Leon<\/p><\/div>\n<p>No visit to Leon would be complete without a trip to the roof of the cathedral, also known as the Bas\u00edlica de la Asunci\u00f3n. The cathedral has been around since 1747 and is the largest one in Central America. For $2 you can gain access to the roof and revel in the best views Leon has to offer \u2013 volcanoes included.<\/p>\n<p>Pro trip: You will be asked to remove your shoes, in order to preserve the brilliantly white floors \u2013 so be prepared. Also, wear your sunglasses! On a sunny day the white floor reflects so much light that it can be blinding.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/el-salvador\"><strong>VISIT LEON ON THIS 9-DAY TRIP TO 5 AMAZING CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Nightlife<\/h2>\n<p>Home to many universities, Leon at heart is a \u2018college town\u2019 and it is this youthful atmosphere that makes it such a legendary place to party. Whether you are in the mood for some bachata, salsa, or just turning it up on the dance floor, Leon has something for you.<\/p>\n<p>For a low-key night stop by Via Via, a local bar\/restaurant in \u2018Backpacker Alley\u2019 that offers up live music every Friday. Via Via also offers a range of traditional Nicaraguan dishes like ceviche, tostones, and gallo pinto if you are in the mood to refuel before your night out.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_26171\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26171\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26171\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-STREET-VENDOR.jpg\" alt=\"Leon Nicaragua guide\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-STREET-VENDOR.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-STREET-VENDOR-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-STREET-VENDOR-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-STREET-VENDOR-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-26171\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A street vendor in Leon<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Feeling ambitious? By far, my favorite way to spend a Thursday night was salsa dancing with the locals at la Olla Quemada . Every week, locals and tourists alike congregate at this bar to show off dance skills which range from complete beginner to pro. No salsa night would be complete without a late night stop at club Oxygene, where the pulsating beats of the DJ leave couples sweating it out on the dance floor till the early morning.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/subscribe\"><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID&#8217;S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS &amp; MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Diverse food options<\/h2>\n<p>In a country not known for its culinary prowess, Leon offers up some of the most unique and tasty food options around. The marriage of Sri Lankan and Polish food might not sound like the likeliest of combinations, but IMBIR restaurant delivers on all fronts. Their curries are second to none and don&#8217;t skip out on their medley of homemade perogies and samosas. Drinks are creative and fairly-priced, and the local craft beers are exceptional.<\/p>\n<p>Pro tip: order one of the curries and get an \u2018Indian quesadilla\u2019 to share with a friend. Also be sure to check out their Facebook page as they routinely host open mic nights!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_26170\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26170\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26170\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-MARKET_003.jpg\" alt=\"Leon Nicaragua guide\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-MARKET_003.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-MARKET_003-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-MARKET_003-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_LOCAL-MARKET_003-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-26170\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A local market in Leon<\/p><\/div>\n<p>For some of the best coffee and breakfast in town, you can\u2019t go wrong with Pan y Paz. This French, expat-owned bakery whose name roughly translated means \u2018Bread &amp; Peace\u2019, offers up a taste of Paris in a landscape dominated by rice and beans. Begin your morning with one of their famous almond chocolate croissants and a refreshing jugo (all natural, fresh-squeezed juice) or a cup of local Twin Engine Coffee.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/adventures\/granada-nicaragua-central-america\/\"><strong>READ MORE: WHY GRANADA IS ANOTHER MUST-VISIT CITY IN NICARAGUA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Easy, beachy day trips<\/h2>\n<p>Ready for a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Leon life? A quick 20-minute chicken bus ride (or even quicker local cab ride) will get you to one of the most picturesque and uncrowded beaches in Nicaragua: Las Penitas. Whether you plan on staying for the night or just soaking up some sun for a few hours, Las Penitas offers a lot in the way of sunshine, surfing, and pure blissful beach relaxation. Be sure to check in with Leon\u2019s famous surf shop, \u2018Get Up Stand Up \u2019 to schedule a lesson. After, make sure to relax with a cold To\u00f1a or fresh fruit smoothie at Bigfoot Beach Hostel.<\/p>\n<p>If partying and surfing isn\u2019t for you, there are yoga classes to take, horses to ride, and beach volleyball games to play at the tranquil Surfing Turtle Lodge. This amazing eco-resort offers a rustic \u2018off the grid\u2019 experience that allows travelers to really unplug and embrace the wild nature of Nicaraguan life.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/nicaragua\"><strong>CHECK OUT INTREPID&#8217;S RANGE OF TRIPS IN NICARAGUA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, Leon is a city that offers a little something for every type of traveler. Whether you\u2019re into art, history, or just working on your Spanish at the market, you can take a beat and truly embrace \u2018Nica life\u2019 in this special city.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_26169\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26169\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_EX-REBEL-AND-TRAVELERS-AT-21-PRISON_001.jpg\" alt=\"Leon Nicaragua guide\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_EX-REBEL-AND-TRAVELERS-AT-21-PRISON_001.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_EX-REBEL-AND-TRAVELERS-AT-21-PRISON_001-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_EX-REBEL-AND-TRAVELERS-AT-21-PRISON_001-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Intrepid-Travel-NICARAGUA_LEON_EX-REBEL-AND-TRAVELERS-AT-21-PRISON_001-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-26169\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An Intrepid tour learning about Leon&#8217;s history<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Even if you are stopping by for just a few hours, Leon has a special way of making you feel like you belong.<\/p>\n<p>It was this mix of charm, authenticity, and love of life that made me fall in love with Leon. So do yourself a favor and make Leon a part of your next adventure!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tempted to visit this incredible city? Explore Leon on this 17-day <a href=\"\/costa-rica\/central-american-journey-160424\">Central American Journey<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>For Intrepid&#8217;s range of Nicaragua tours, click <a href=\"\/nicaragua\">here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212;<\/p>\n<p><em>(Image credits from top to bottom: Isis-Maya Nissman, Intrepid Travel x6.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most refreshing aspects of Leon is how it truly feels like a city of locals. There is no better place to brush up on your Spanish, take a salsa class or even just visit the local market.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16053,"featured_media":47121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[455],"tags":[275,598],"class_list":["post-26053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","tag-central-america","tag-nicaragua","ipf_region-nicaragua"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 Reasons Why Leon Nicaragua is a Must-Visit | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the most refreshing aspects of Leon, Nicaragua is how it truly feels like a city of locals. There is no better place to brush up on your Spanish, take a salsa class or even just visit the local market. Here&#039;s why to visit and what to do there.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/leon-nicaragua-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 reasons why I fell for Leon, Nicaragua (and why you will too)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"One of the most refreshing aspects of Leon is how it truly feels like a city of locals. There is no better place to brush up on your Spanish, take a salsa class or even just visit the local market.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/leon-nicaragua-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Good Times by Intrepid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intrepidtravel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-03-22T19:39:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-17T09:29:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IntrepidTravel-NICARAGUA_LEON_TRAVELERONROOFTOPOFLADYOFGRACECATHEDRAL_003-facebook.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Isis-Maya Nissman\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Isis-Maya Nissman\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/leon-nicaragua-guide\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/leon-nicaragua-guide\/\",\"name\":\"5 Reasons Why Leon Nicaragua is a Must-Visit | Intrepid Travel Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/leon-nicaragua-guide\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/leon-nicaragua-guide\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Isis-Leon_003-1170x658-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-03-22T19:39:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-17T09:29:48+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/27cef18f41d295f066a67d3405aec21c\"},\"description\":\"One of the most refreshing aspects of Leon, Nicaragua is how it truly feels like a city of locals. 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