Must-see hotels in León & Northwestern Nicaragua

  • Mano a Mano Ecohostel

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Everything a stellar hostel should be, Mano a Mano is all breezy bamboo dorms and mezzanine loft suites inside a beautiful, sustainably built structure,…

  • Surfing Turtle Lodge

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    The breezy 2nd-story dorm is one of the coolest spots in all of Central America, with a giant view to the ocean. Camping in pre-set-up tents or staying in…

  • Vivir Surf & Fish

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    This Aussie-run surf camp gets rave reviews from surfers for owner Lewis' hospitality, the perfect location for hitting the waves (there are five breaks…

  • Hotel El Convento

    León

    There's atmosphere galore at this historic hotel on the grounds of one of the city's most notable convents and churches. The centerpiece garden is…

  • ThunderBomb Surf Camp

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Run by Bostonian Jonathan, this excellent surf camp is all about hitting the A-frames, pipes and barrels up and down the coast. There are several…

  • Coco Loco Eco Resort

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    There are only two things to do in this wonderfully tranquil spot: hit the waves and do yoga. Guests are lodged in airy cabins made from sustainable local…

  • Casa Lula León

    León

    Sociable without being a party hostel, Casa Lula is a budget traveler favorite, largely through the efforts of hosts Eric and Selina and the knowledgeable…

  • Bigfoot Hostel

    León

    With kitchen access, a miniature swimming pool, freshly made mojitos on offer, and spacious dorms and rooms with ample, secure luggage storage, this place…

  • La Barra Surf Camp

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    At this popular and professionally run beachfront surf camp, managed by AST Adventures in California, serious surfers book all-inclusive packages that…

  • Guesthouse El Nancite

    León

    Run by helpful North American John and his lovely wife, this jaunty yellow guesthouse, decorated with Carnival masks and figures, has a handful of fan…

  • Miramar Surfcamp

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    For surfers of all abilities (including beginners), the location of this surf camp – and the friendly staff – are huge draws. Choose between basic air-con…

  • Tortuga Booluda

    León

    More small hotel than hostel, the revamped ‘Lazy Turtle’ does, however, offer all the hostel amenities, namely a great kitchen, book exchange, free coffee…

  • Rise Up Surf Tours

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Steps away from the waves, Rise Up Surf was the brainchild of the former owner of Bigfoot Hostel in León, and he's managed to bring the backpacker…

  • Chancletas Beach Resort

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Perched up on a grassy hillside overlooking Aserradores' famous break, this relaxed spot, run by Miami native Shay, has more to offer than just surfing…

  • Aáki Hotel

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Las Peñitas' most stylish little hotel overlooks a kidney-shaped pool and its own stretch of beach. There are only nine rooms here – spacious, bright,…

  • Hotel Azul

    León

    Set in a typical colonial house but decorated with a minimalist twist, petite and slightly upscale Hotel Azul has a courtyard swimming pool – beautifully…

  • Nayal Lodge

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Consisting of two thatched-roofed adobe towers, this four-room hotel is run by Spanish owner Catalina and her husband, who are happy to share their…

  • Hotel Flor de Sarta

    León

    There's a lot to love about this boutique hotel in the heart of León: the central location (yet respite from the heat and noise in the delightful,…

  • Redwood Beach Resort

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Across the estuary from Padre Ramos, in the fishing village of Mechapa, this cozy little American-owned resort is shaded by coconut trees right on the…

  • Bigfoot Beach Hostel

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    The beachfront sister of the popular Bigfoot Hostel in León, this youth-oriented spot has a swimming pool, a beach-volleyball court, a bar-restaurant with…

  • Reserva Privada Hato Nuevo

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Some 12km north of the turnoff towards Playa Jiquilillo, this ecolodge sits on a 600-acre private reserve. Rooms in the old ranch are a blend of rustic…

  • Rancho Tranquilo

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Run by a friendly family, this collection of bungalows and a small dorm on its private stretch of beach is a great budget choice. There's a cool bar and…

  • Morpho Residence

    León

    Run by a friendly French-Nicaraguan couple, this three-room guesthouse sits in a quiet location in the southwest corner of downtown. Jean-Michel is an…

  • Rancho Esperanza

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    This quiet and ecofriendly collection of simple, breezy bamboo huts – which are scattered across a grassy field just slightly removed from the beach –…

  • Monty’s Surf Camp

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    This midrange surf camp is set right on the waterfront. Rooms are fan-cooled and the beds draped with mosquito nets. Most travelers come here on weeklong…

  • Paz de Luna Bed & Breakfast

    León

    With rooms laid out around a pretty courtyard, Paz de Luna has old-fashioned charm and lots of potential. Rooms vary; some lack natural light, the upkeep…

  • Lazybones Hostel

    León

    At this lively hostel, the clean, simple rooms are arranged around the age-old patio and sitting areas that are every bit as lovely as those in some…

  • Solid Surf & Adventure

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Solid Surf runs all-inclusive surf and yoga camps, geared towards beginners, as well as a hostel and B&B. The rooms are pretty basic, but there's a cool…

  • Free Spirit Hostel

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Right on the beach, this hostel is a little rough around the edges (rooms not always spotless, bathrooms are small), but you're here for the surfing and…

  • Hotel Real

    León

    The 'Royal Hotel' has a quaint front sitting area and an old-style casona (historic mansion) feel, but with relatively modern rooms bedecked with…

  • Vía Vía

    León

    The Vía Vía chain of hostels, which stretches from Kathmandu to Buenos Aires, consistently comes up with the goods. This is no exception, offering…

  • Simple Beach Lodge

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    The name says it all, almost. Simple Beach Lodge has just one breezy dorm with individual reading lights and fans, plus seven simple but comfortable…

  • Hotel Austria

    León

    Tucked away on a side street just south of the cathedral, this well-run hotel has somewhat dark rooms set around a leafy central courtyard with a stone…

  • Hotel La Perla

    León

    A pearl indeed. Set in one of León’s most impressive mansions, the Perla has everything you would expect for the price, done with exquisite taste in a…

  • Casona Colonial

    León

    With more character than many in this price range, the medium-sized rooms here are long on colonial atmosphere without all the costly little extras. Beds…

  • Posada Doña Blanca

    León

    In a modern Nicaraguan family's home, this downtown oasis is all cool open spaces with colonial flourishes. Rooms are comfortable, and the central…

  • Hostal Las Vacaciones

    León

    Quiet dorm and rooms share facilities inside an attractive colonial building, with a sunny upstairs terrace and tranquil courtyard garden. For breakfast,…

  • Las Dunas Surf Resort

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    With a clutch of pastel-colored, thatched-roofed casitas clustered around the pool, plus a breezy restaurant with attendant playful felines, this is one…

  • Hotel El Sueño de Meme

    León

    With its pastel color scheme and cutesy decorations, this one steps firmly outside the quaint colonial box. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, if a…

  • El NicaLibre

    León & Northwestern Nicaragua

    Overlooking the estuary, this bright blue guesthouse comprises a handful of spotless, colorful rooms, some of them with terraces. Most of the rooms can…