Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.bio-nica.info
;
cnr 3a Av NE & 2a Calle NE; admission US$0.50; 9am-noon & 2-4pm)
For a
truly comprehensive collection of creepy crawlies, butterflies, scorpions and other critters
from all over Central America, drop into this museum. The specialty is
Lucanidae,
a
genus of beetles where males usually display ferocious-looking pincers. Anyone for a
mosquito net?
Galería de Héroes y Mártires
OFFLINE MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
(1a Calle NO, Iglesia de la Merced, ½c O; donation US$1; 10am-5pm)
A homage to León's
more recent history is found at the Galería de Héroes y Mártires, run by mothers of FSLN
veterans and fallen heroes.
There's some signage in English and Spanish, but you're here to look into the eyes of
more than 300 revolutionaries, mostly pimply faced teens with feathered disco haircuts,
and wonder if you would be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to free your country
from dictatorship.
Cimac
OFFLINE MAP
GARDENS
GOOGLE MAP
(Puente Martín, ½c E, 1c N; admission US$1; 8am-noon & 2-5pm)
These excellent botanic
gardens occupy 9 sq km on the edge of downtown, displaying four types of forest typical
to Nicaragua. Groups of 10 or more get a guided tour; smaller groups get a self-guiding
booklet (in Spanish).
Be on the lookout for tame deer,
guardabarrancos
(Nicaragua's national bird) and, ru-
mor has it, a boa constrictor that inhabits the grounds. There's also a small orchid exhibit
and plenty of information about environmental issues in the region and the country.
El Fortín de Acososco
The Guardia Nacional's last holdout in León, El Fortín can be reached by the 2.5km dirt
road that begins on the western side of Guadalupe cemetery, on the southern border of
Barrio Subtiava. The fortress is next to a smelly garbage dump; you'll need to ask for per-
mission to enter.
Muggings are common on this stretch, so go in a group and leave your camera and oth-
er valuables at the hotel.
The large, squat, gray building was originally constructed in 1889 to take advantage of
the great city views. It was abandoned until the 1950s, when the Somozas realized that
FORT
