How much does it cost to travel to Leon?
You should plan to spend around $59 (C$2,171) per day on your vacation in Leon. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $12 (C$444) on meals
- $1.51 (C$55) on local transportation
- $32 (C$1,178) on hotels
A one week trip to Leon for two people costs, on average, $828 (C$30,392). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Leon has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Leon expensive to visit?
Leon is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Nicaragua, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Central America, Leon is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Central America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as David, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Puerto Viejo.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Leon Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Leon?
The average Leon trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Leon travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
C$1,178
($32)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
C$55
($2)
|
|
Food 2
|
C$444
($12)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
C$214
($6)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
C$13 -
38
($0 - 1)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
C$65 -
195
($2 - 5)
|
Accommodation Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Leon is $16 (C$589). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Leon is $32 (C$1,178). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Leon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Leon is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $1.51 (C$55) per person, per day, on local transportation in Leon.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$1.51
C$55
How much does it cost to go to Leon? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Leon will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Leon can vary, the average cost of food in Leon is $12 (C$444) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Leon should cost around $4.84 (C$178) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Leon is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$12
C$444
Entertainment Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Leon typically cost an average of $5.81 (C$214) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$5.81
C$214
Tips and Handouts Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Leon is $8.51 (C$313), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$8.51
C$313
Alcohol Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $3.53 (C$130) on alcoholic beverages in Leon per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$3.53
C$130
Water Budget in Leon
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.63 (C$23) on bottled water in Leon per day. The public water in Leon is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.63
C$23
Leon On a Budget
Leon, Nicaragua
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.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
Sights
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.
Neighborhoods
Leon's city center is where you will find the majority of the sights and attractions. There are many beautiful churches and interesting architecture throughout this area. It is most convenient to stay within the city center, as prices are quite cheap and it is helpful to be able to walk to most destinations.
Activities
Leon has many activities that visitors can enjoy. There are many good beaches nearby that can be reached with a 20 or 30 minutes taxi ride. Las Penitas is a convenient option with a mellow vibe and good surfing. Also close by is Oneloya.
There are many organizations that offer volcano treks to the nearby Maribios volcanic chain. SONATI is an environmental education nonprofit group that organizes volcano boarding trips to Cerro Negro. They also offer tours to the mangrove forest and between September and February they offer trips to see the turtles that are nesting and hatching.
You can take Spanish, yoga, or salsa lessons through La Isla Foundation. This is a nonprofit organization that supports sugarcane workers that are affected by chronic kidney disease. It's a fun and unique experience that supports a cause that is prolific in the area.
Food and Dining
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. The restaurant has a diverse menu with plenty of local food as well as fast food and refreshing drinks.
If you're on a particularly tight budget you can pick up some good food at the market and enjoy making your own meals. The local market is located behind the main cathedral and there is a large food court that has everything including prepared food, beans, eggs, rice, and fried cheese. There are also cheap, fresh juices available.
There are also some decent mid range restaurants if you're looking for a good sit down meal. Burgers, seafood tapas, and even Polish and Sri Lankan food is available.
For a fancy meal, you can try the fillet mignon or churrasco at Montezerino. The meal won't set you back much more than US$10.
Transportation
Managua is about an hour and a half drive from Leon, and it has the nearest commercial airport to the city. There is a private van service that offers direct transportation from the airport to Leon.
Leon's chicken bus terminal is found about one and half kilometers northeast of Parque Central on 6 Calle Norte. It can be reached on foot in twenty minutes and taxis are readily available through most hotels and hostels.
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.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.