Home to Central America’s largest cathedral, centuries of historical landmarks, and the world’s only volcano boarding experience, Leon is one of the most alluring travel destinations in Nicaragua and is a pivotal stopping point along any exploration of the country.
As such, the city boasts a healthy and vibrant infrastructure perfect for hosting international tourists, including several fantastic hotels and hostels for visitors of all varieties and budgets.
These are just some of the best accommodations in the city to help you decide where to stay in Leon, Nicaragua.
Don’t forget to check out my Leon, Nicaragua City Guide for more tips and advice for your next trip to Nicaragua’s second-largest city!
Where To Stay in Leon, Nicaragua: A Neighbourhood Guide
Leon’s tourism industry focuses around Parque Central. Home to several of the area’s top attractions, eateries, and tour operators, this central square is the main stomping ground for most visitors to the northern destination and features the most significant infrastructure for hosting your stay in the city.
As such, most international visitors tend to book their accommodation within walking distance of this convenient tourism hot spot. And luckily, the majority of Leon’s accommodation options are all located within a 5-block radius of the Central Parque area, offering diverse comforts and amenities at varying price points.
Now, while the hotels within this central neighbourhood offer the greatest convenience for exploring the city’s top highlights and booking excursions into the countryside, visitors looking to escape the tourist traps may prefer to book their stay in one of the outlying neighbourhoods.
While the selection in these neighbourhoods is not as abundant as in the city center, hotels such as Hotel Mariposa in the town’s western outskirts offer a more isolated accommodation option for your stay in Leon, Nicaragua.
Where To Stay in Leon, Nicaragua: Tips and Advice
- Which Area in Leon is Best to Stay in? Home to the Leon Cathedral, Parque Central is the primary stomping ground for tourists to the city. As such, booking accommodation within walking distance of the park is one of the best ways to ensure you receive convenient access to the town’s top attractions, restaurants, and tour providers.
- Getting Around Leon: While visitors staying near Parque Central can access most of the city’s top attractions by foot, those staying slightly further from the city center, or visitors that may prefer not to walk the streets at night, can also take a taxi for about $1 per person to anywhere in the town. Bikes are also rentable for $5 per day from several operators.
- Popular Things to Do: As the only destination in the world where this activity is permitted, visitors to Leon absolutely have to volcano board down the nearby Cerro Negro at least once during their trip. Check out this post for a complete list of thrilling and historical things to do and see in Leon, Nicaragua.
- Budget Saving Tips When Staying in Leon: Leon, Nicaragua, is a highly affordable city to visit. However, those looking to further tighten their budget can limit their expenses in the city by sticking to the cheap but delicious street food, booking a budget-friendly hostel, and planning tours with some of the lesser-used operators around Parque Central.
Check out my full Leon, Nicaragua travel guide for a comprehensive budget breakdown of your trip to the city.
Average Costs of Accommodation in Leon, Nicaragua
- Budget-Hostel: $10 – $20 CAD per night per person
- Mid-Range Hotel Room: $40 – $70 CAD per night
- Luxury Hotel Room: $90 – $150 CAD per night
Where to Stay in Leon, Nicaragua on a Backpacker’s Budget
Volcano Hostel
Located four blocks north of Parque Central, the Volcano Hostel offers one of the best-valued stays in Leon and is only a five-minute walk from the city centre’s spectacular attractions and restaurants.
Budget travellers will find a comfortable bed at the accommodation for as little as 10 CAD per person per night. However, those seeking a little more comfort and security can still enjoy affordable accommodation, with private rooms starting at 22 CAD per night.
All hotel guests enjoy access to the facility’s convenient amenities, including the complex’s laundry services, 24-hour front desk, spacious garden, and even an onsite bar. The Volcano Hostel also boasts an onsite pool, perfect for escaping the city’s hot and humid summers.
Hostal Lazybones
Another fantastic budget-friendly place to stay in Leon, Nicaragua, the Hostal Lazybones is only five minutes from Parque Central and features beds in a mixed dorm for as little as 12 CAD per night. Unfortunately, those seeking a private room at the hotel will have to broaden their travel budget slightly, with a standard double room with a shared bathroom starting at 32 CAD per night.
Along with its convenient location amidst the town’s famous attractions, operators, and eateries, the Hostal Lazybones offers guests a myriad of onsite amenities, including an onsite bar, 24-hour front desk, and even an extensive pool, lounge, and garden area.
Additionally, the hotel also boasts an onsite tour desk, making planning your excursions to Cerro Negro, Leon Viejo, or any of the region’s other historical and natural attractions as convenient as possible.
Bigfoot Hostel
Perhaps the most popular accommodation option in Leon, Nicaragua, Bigfoot Hostel is a backpacker’s haven and boasts several affordable yet comfortable amenities located only a 5-minute walk from Parque Central.
Offering more than a simple overnight accommodation, Bigfoot Hostel is an entire backpacking experience, complete with an onsite bar and party scene, and an onsite tour desk with a diverse catalogue of excursions perfect for conveniently exploring the region’s many wonders.
The hostel also features an onsite pool, which offers a soothing escape after engaging in the complex’s adrenaline-pumping volcano boarding tour.
Additional Budget-Friendly Hotels in Leon, Nicaragua
Hostal Center — $12 per night
The Spot Hostel Leon — $12 per night
ViaVia Leon — $14 per night
Casa Lula Leon Hostal — $14 per night
Casa ColonialLidyMarth — $20 per night
Where to Stay in Leon, Nicaragua on a Mid-Range Budget
Casa Riverstone
While located slightly further from the city center, the Casa Riverstone is a fantastic mid-range hotel only a ten-minute walk from Parque Central that offers fantastic value for your hard-earned travel dollar by providing plenty of onsite comfort and luxury.
The hotel features four different room varieties starting at 42 CAD, all of which feature clean and cozy bed linens, a fan, a complimentary breakfast and a shared bathroom with showers and towels. Additionally, onsite services include a shared lounge and kitchen, an extensive garden area, and an outdoor pool in a picturesque courtyard.
Boasting a convenient location for exploring the city and a quaint Mediterranean villa vibe, the Casa Riverstone is one of the best mid-range hotels in Leon, Nicaragua, for enjoying everything the area offers while maintaining an affordable budget.
Hostal Casa Abierta
Located only two blocks from Parque Central, the Hostal Casa Abierta is easily one of the best hotels in Leon, Nicaragua and offers one of the city’s best-valued stays for a mid-range budget.
The hotel offers king and double queen rooms starting at 48 CAD, all featuring private bathrooms and patios with breathtaking garden views. The hotel also features a private garden, terrace, and massive outdoor swimming pool, completing the property’s tropical luxury ambiance.
All hotel guests enjoy a complimentary a la carte, continental or full English/Irish breakfast at the property’s onsite restaurant, which also serves a diverse lunch and dinner menu for sampling both international dishes and local cuisines.
When it comes to best value accommodation in Leon, the Hostal Casa Abierta is hard to beat.
Hotel Real Leon
Boasting a colonial design and a romantic ambiance, the Hotel Real Leon is another fabulous mid-range hotel in the city. It is easily one of the best places to stay in Leon, Nicaragua, for couples and romantic getaways.
The hotel features double or triple rooms starting for as low as 66 CAD per night. Every room features a private bathroom, air conditioning, cable tv, and a patio with tranquil views of the property’s garden.
Additionally, the Hotel Real Leon’s private rooftop terrace offers some of the city’s best views. It is a truly breathtaking setting to admire the Central American sunsets.
Additional Mid-Range Hotels in Leon, Nicaragua
Hotel Los Balcones Leon — $56 per night
Hotel Libano — $67 per night
Hotel Austria — $67 per night
Hotel Cacique Adiatic — $70 per night
Where to Stay in Leon, Nicaragua on a Luxurious Budget
Hotel El Convento Leon Nicaragua
Located only a five-minute walk from Parque Central, the Hotel El Convento is the premier luxury accommodation in Leon, Nicaragua and features a massive complex complete with a sprawling maintained courtyard and top-of-the-line services and amenities.
The hotel features several accommodation options, from simple rooms to luxury suites, starting at 116 CAD for a standard single room. All rooms at the hotel feature in-room amenities, including air conditioning, cable tv, a private bathroom with a shower, and rustic décor for an authentic yet comfortable stay in the city.
Additional hotel services include a 24-hour front desk, an onsite bar and restaurant, and a large outdoor swimming pool open year-round.
Hotel la Perla Leon
Featuring a neo-classical-stye décor and unmatched luxury in the city, Hotel la Perla is easily the best accommodation in Leon, Nicaragua, for visitors with the budget for it.
Starting at 152 CAD, the hotel features a wide selection of rooms and suites, each boasting top-of-the-line luxury amenities, including private bathrooms, a minibar, a flatscreen TV, and air conditioning.
Additional onsite services include a large pool in the outdoor courtyard and an onsite restaurant featuring a diverse menu of local cuisine and international fusion dishes. The hotel also boasts plenty of communal lounge spaces and offers a soothing setting for unwinding after a day of exploring the historic city.
Hotel Flor de Sarta
Located five blocks from the famous Leon Cathedral, the Hotel Flor de Sarta is another luxury accommodation option in Leon, Nicaragua. It boasts an opulent stay in the city while maintaining fantastic value for its offerings.
The hotel’s room and suite options start at 96 CAD per night and feature several in-room comforts, including a flatscreen cable tv, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a shower and hot water. A complimentary breakfast is also included in the nightly rate for every guest.
Additional onsite features include a 24-hour front desk, a picturesque garden with a terrace, a shared lounge area, and even onsite laundry services. The hotel also boasts an onsite tour desk, making it a fantastic option for exploring the region’s many attractions while enjoying the finer relaxing amenities of its luxury facilities.
Additional Luxury Hotels in Leon, Nicaragua
Hotel la Recoleccion — $93 per night
Planning a visit to Nicaragua’s second-largest city? Check out my complete Leon, Nicaragua City Guide for the area’s best attractions, restaurants, and more. You can also uncover several other wondrous travel destinations in the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes with my comprehensive Nicaragua Travel Guide.