Travel Budget for Cities inNicaragua

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary. There is a heavy presence of students in Leon as it is still a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of life and entertainment.

The easiest way to make your way around Leon is to walk, although the heat, particularly in the summer, may force you into a taxi or bus. Most of the city's residents travel by bicycle which is another fun way to explore. If you're planning to head outside of town to a nearby beach or sight, it's better to have access to a car or take a taxi. Ruletos are trucks that act as local buses and offer rides around town for about 3 cordobas.

There are thirteen colonial churches around town, each of which has it's own feel and is worth visiting for different reasons. Leon Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Central America and is definitely a must see if you're in Leon. Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Subtiava is one of the oldest colonial churches and has an interesting rustic wooden interior. Fundacion Ortiz has some great Latin American art on display, and Centro de Arte Fundacion Ortiz Gurdian is one of the best museums in Nicaragua.

There are some good restaurant options around town for all budgets. You should definitely make a point of trying the oldest restaurant in town, "El Sesteo", which is in the heart of the city. If you're on a particularly tight budget you can pick up some good food at the market and enjoy making your own meals. There are also some decent mid range restaurants if you're looking for a good sit down meal.

San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The best way to get to San Juan del Sur is to take a taxi from Rivas. It'll take you about an hour and you can catch a colectivo taxi for 35 cordobas per person. It is likely the driver will wait until the vehicle is full before leaving, so if you see an almost for car, go for that one. The most popular place to pick up a colectivo is at the bus terminal in Rivas.

Once you're in San Juan del Sur, the best way to make your way around town is to walk. Although there are no shortage of taxis that will eagerly offer you their service, walking is possible to most destinations. If you want to head to a more distant beach, inquire at your hotel, as many hotels offer a shuttle service. Another option is to rent an ATV or motorcycle, which can be fun, but do realize that most of the nearby roads are dirt and in poor condition.

While most people come to San Juan del Sur for the beaches, or to surf, the town itself has a handful of sights worth visiting. Many of the houses are brightly colored, and the waterfront has some great small boats that are anchored there, making for a very picturesque scene. You can do a twenty minute hike to the cross that overlooks the harbor and you'll be rewarded by views of the area. From here you can also pick up a zipline and canopy tour through the treetops where you'll see spider monkeys and other wildlife that is native to the area. Also make sure you head out of town to the more remote and isolated beaches, which can be quite beautiful and dramatic.

Perhaps the best place to enjoy a good meal in San Juan del Sur is along the waterfront where you'll find a series of cafes and restaurants. Many of these restaurants serve fresh seafood, which is highly recommended. You can also head to the market to pick up a quick and cheap breakfast that will safe you a few dollars.

Ometepe is an island in Lake Nicaragua and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that you can see climbing high from the water's surface. There are a few tiny towns around the island, there are a decent number of coffee plantations spread out around the island. The main town on the island is Moyogalpa, which is the harbor village, and your likely point of arrival if you travel to Ometepe by ferry. There are a handful of hotels and restaurants around town, and this town does serve a decent place to base yourself during your visit to the island. Altagracia is the second largest town on the island in is on the eastern side. In the southwestern portion of the island you'll find the towns of Merida and Balgue.

The most practical way to get to Ometepe is to take a ferry from the town of San Jorge which is near Rivas. The trip will cost you between 2 and 3 dollars and you will likely have to pay a 10 cordoba tax on departure as well. Conveniently, a ferry also leaves from Granada on Mondays and Thursdays. It's about a six hour ride but is reasonably priced and will drop you off in the town of Altagracia.

Once you're on the island you can catch a bus that travels to most towns. It's incredibly slow and circles the island. There are slightly more frequent buses that make the trip between Moyogalpa and Altagracia. Alternatively, you can take a taxi, but prices can be quite expensive. If you are less concerned about money, another fun option is to rent a motorcycle to explore the island. This will give you more freedom and flexibility.

There are some wonderful hikes all over the island, some of which are highly recommended. These include the challenging hike to the top of Volcan Concepcion, the slightly less difficult hike tothe top of Volcan Maderas to visit the crater lake. There's also a waterfall which you can visit as well. Other options around the island include kayaking, fishing, bicycling, and swimming. It's easy to keep yourself entertained exploring the island for at least a few days.

Managua is the capital city, and largest city in Nicaragua. The economy is generally centered around the trade of coffee, cotton, and other types of agriculture. It also is a textile capital for the area. Managua is also a very reasonably priced destination in Central America. Restaurants and hotels are quite affordable and you'll find all kinds of international cuisine around the city. Transportation is also incredibly affordable and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised at the cost on intercity bus rides.

There are some fascinating sights around Managua, many of which highlight the colonial architecture around the city. Make sure you head to the Catedral de Managua, which is now in ruins after the 1972 earthquake. Today the Palacio Nacional is a museum with a multitude of exhibits you can visit. Visit the Rotonda Ruben Dario at night when the fountain is lit up and quite pleasant to see. A fun place to see is Tiscapa Lagoon which is a freshwater lagoon and volcano crater lake. It has ziplines nearby which can be fun. There's also a New Cathedral worth visiting and Parque de la Paz, also worth a visit.

While Managua has a reputation for being a dangerous city, it has actually made a great effort to get this problem under control. Today you will see a heavy police presence throughout the entire city. Crime is now relatively low, but common sense is still important. Stay alert when you're traveling around the city, particular at night. Travel in groups when you can and it is best to have someone with you who speaks Spanish. Also make sure you understand which neighborhoods you will be wandering through so you know what risks you may be taking.

There are plenty a delicious and reasonably priced restaurants and bars around town. You'll also find hotels of every level and style. If you're on a tight budget you will easily find safe, and comfortable budget hotels. Alternatively, if you're looking for the comforts of a high end hotel, there is no shortage of these as well.