Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hotel Los Balcones
OFFLINE MAP
HISTORIC HOTEL $$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 2311-0250; www.hotelbalcones.com ; 1a Calle NE, esquina de los bancos, 1c E; s/d/tr incl break-
fast US$47/64/66; ) This is a serious contender for the title of most atmospheric hotel
in town. Stay upstairs, where you'll find cute little wrought-iron balconies, wooden floor-
boards and quirky, individually decorated rooms. The rooms can be on the dark side, but
you'll love the big soft beds and local artwork.
Hotel El Convento
OFFLINE MAP
HISTORIC HOTEL $$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 2311-7053; www.elconventonicaragua.com ; Iglesia de San Francisco, 20m N; s/d US$90/180;
) The building drips with atmosphere, the sculpted centerpiece garden is certainly
impressive and you're surrounded by precious artwork, but the rooms? They're OK but
still a little plain Jane - no doubt a throwback from the Franciscan convent days. Still, you
can bet the nuns never had it this good.
VOLUNTEERING IN LEÓN
León is home to a range of grassroots, Nicaraguan-run NGOs. You'll probably need a higher
level of Spanish than if you were volunteering in Granada or San Juan del Sur, but chances are it
will be a more rewarding process too. Following are some of the many NGOs at work in and
around the city. Hostels are a good starting point for information, and Quetzaltrekkers ( Click
here ) uses volunteer guides to lead volcano treks.
Asociación Mary Barreda OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 2311-2254; mary-
barreda@cablenet.com.ni; Iglesia de La Recolección, ½c E) Runs a variety of education pro-
grams focusing on women's rights, sex education and STD prevention. Intermediate Spanish and
a two-month commitment required.
Pure Earth Project OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 2315-0964;
www.greenpathways.com ; opposite Bigfoot Hostel) Drop by to see about volunteer ops in nearby
turtle-protection initiatives.
Eating
The best place to eat on the cheap or buy fresh veggies is the beautiful, clean Mercado
Central OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 6am-5pm) , with several inexpensive eateries
serving comidas corrientes (set meals). After hours, two of the best fritangas (grills) in
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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