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Trip Report

Nicaragua Vacations - Leon, Volcano Cerro Negro and Corn Islands

In my itinerary I'm describing my experience of backpacking Nicaragua. A few days in the lovely city of Leon and a week in paradise at Corn Islands.

  • Leon Nicaragua+ 5
  • Leon Nicaragua
  • Leon Nicaragua
  • Nicaragua Vacations - Leon, Volcano Cerro Negro and Corn Islands
paulinalixe
About Me:I enjoy traveling, taking pictures and good food read more

North AmericaNicaragua14 days / February 2023

Highs & Lows

A few days in Leon to learn about Nicaraguan history and relax on idyllic beaches at Little Corn Island

No ATM in Corn Islands and a chaotic road to get there!

Itinerary Overview

After a few days in Leon (the first days I spent in Nicaragua), visiting the city and volcano surfing on Cerro Negro, we drove to Managua to take an overnight bus to Bluefield (7am) and finally take the ferry (7am) to Big Corn Island.

Please note: there are only two ferries per week, on Sundays and Wednesdays, and these can be cancelled in case of bad weather (which was our case). The airport in Bluefield can always help you out with an affordable last minute flight to make the crossing.

Once on the beautiful Corn Islands, we spent our days soaking up the sun on the pristine beaches, snorkeling in crystal clear waters, and enjoying fresh seafood at local restaurants. We also visited Little Corn Island, which is just a short boat ride away and has a more laid-back, bohemian vibe. If you're looking for a relaxing island getaway, the Corn Islands are definitely worth the journey. Just be prepared for some unexpected changes in transportation plans due to weather conditions. Overall, Nicaragua is a must-visit destination in Central America, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and adventure.

  • 4 Nights: Leon Nicaragua
    Discover the city and its history
  • 10 Nights: Corn Islands
    Cheap diving and beautiful beaches
Leon Nicaragua - Discover the city and its history
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Leon Nicaragua Discover the city and its history

Leon Nicaragua - Discover the city and its history - null
Leon Nicaragua - Discover the city and its history - null
Leon Nicaragua - Discover the city and its history - null1+

Leon was the first stop on our Nicaragua trip. The city, revolutionary, colonial and student, is a perfect starting point to discover the country and its ebullient history.

Walking through the streets, you can discover its history through the frescoes that adorn the walls and in particular the events of July 59, during which 4 students were killed by the police.

We walked on the roof of the Asuncion cathedral, emblematic symbol of the city, known for its white domes. Unfortunately, the time spent on it is limited (15 min top chrono). Small precision: the visit is done... barefoot.

From León, we also did some "Volcano boarding" on the Cerro Negro, the main attraction of the region. During 1h30 in the early morning, we climb the Cerro Negro under the huge gusts of wind. There, our guide (we went with our hostel, the Big Foot) gave us some explanations about the volcano, of which we could see the crater (superb), before launching out in the descent of the volcano on our sledge!

Corn Islands - Cheap diving and beautiful beaches
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Corn Islands Cheap diving and beautiful beaches

Corn Islands - Cheap diving and beautiful beaches - null
Corn Islands - Cheap diving and beautiful beaches - null
Corn Islands - Cheap diving and beautiful beaches - null1+

There are two islands on Corn Island: the larger one, which can be reached by plane or ferry, and the second, which can be reached by small boat. It is clearly on the second one that you should spend some time! It is prettier and more typical (and there are no cars!).

On the side of the island where you arrive by ferry, there are several hostels and restaurants spread on a main street (we spent most of our time at Tranquilo, the place is nice, the food good, good offers for cocktails thanks to the happy hours and good atmosphere in the evening). ) In short, we went there very quickly but the atmosphere is nice. To discover the postcard-worthy and almost deserted beaches, you have to go to the other side of the island on foot (+/- 30 minutes).

There, apart from enjoying the beach, there is not much to do! The program is simple: farniente. As far as we are concerned, we took the opportunity to pass the Padi (diving certificate), at Las Palmeras. 330 for 5 dives in total and the courses. The service was very good.

Q & A

  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    No ATM on Corn Island and no card payment for diving!
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Tranquilo in Little Corn Island.
  • Packing tips?

    small clothes
  • Transportation Tips?

    To get to Corn Islands, fly from Managua or take a night bus (7 hours), the ferry (6-7 hours - pay attention to dates and weather conditions) and then a small boat between Big Corn and Little Corn.
  • Any surprises?

    no!
  • Booking details?

    go for hostels near to the places you want to visit

Lodging

  • Big Foot - Party Hostel: quite noisy and not very clean. I don't recommend it.

  • Three Brothers Hostel - Fair hostel, not exceptional but well located and economical. Big problems with wifi. To know about the island in general: no electricity from 6am to 1pm.