Nicaragua's Pacific Lowlands: Leon & Chinandega

Leon is Nicaragua's intellectual capital as well as one of its most attractive cities. Step back in time as you explore the colorful streets lined with colonial buildings. Leon undeniably has an authenticity that is slowly diminishing in Granada. It has a number of beautiful churches, most notably the impressive cathedral, which is not only a UNESCO heritage site but also Central America's largest church. A number of local cultural sites are also worth visiting, and the city's large number of students gives it a lively atmosphere. Leon is packed with beautiful churches. Parque Central is an attractive, well-loved gathering spot where you can enjoy views of the gorgeous cathedral, Central America's largest. At the end of the 19th century a violent earthquake triggered by nearby volcano activity devastated the city. Not a single house was left standing. As a result, Chinandega doesn't have the colonial architecture of other cities in the region. Parque Central houses what is perhaps the city's biggest tourist attraction: the crocodiles that reside fence-free in two turtle-filled pools. Hotel Chinandegano has a bar with a good drink selection. Las Vegas Star City Casino (tel. 341-1091) is a block north of the corner with the banks. Head to the roundabout and down the road toward Leon to get to the hopping Dilectus Disco (a quarter-mile south of town, tel. 341-1836), the most popular spot for nightlife in the area. It's open until the wee hours. The volcano that towers over Chinandega is named San Cristobal (Saint Christopher). It is instrumental in keeping the area's soil fertile and is responsible for the occasional ash that dusts the city. All the details are here on what to see and do, where to stay, where to est, how to get around and more. Color photos and maps throughout.