Welcome to Las Peñitas
If you visit Leon, it would be a crime not to visit Las Peñitas, the nearest beach to the city. When backpacking Nicaragua ensure you add Las Peñitas to your itinerary, you won’t regret it. It’s one of the best beaches in Nicaragua.
Las Peñitas can be visited as a day trip from Leon, but to fully appreciate the area spending a couple of nights at one of the chilled-out hostels is recommended. I stayed at Mano o Mano Hostel for 2 nights and absolutely loved it, I could have stayed longer, and many travellers do.
How to get to Las Peñitas by Chicken Bus
If you prefer cheap independent travel Las Peñitas is only a 35-minute chicken bus ride from Leon. From the centre of Leon head towards Mercadito de Sutiava. The market is about a 25-minute walk from Parque Central. Leon is always very hot but usually, the buildings offer shade on either side of the street. If you don’t want to walk for 25 minutes you could take a taxi here, it shouldn’t cost much.
As I love walking, of course, I walked to the market. The bus stops outside the market and departs when it is full, hopefully, every 45 minutes or so. If you need to wait you can have a look around the market. The bus fare is 16 Cordoba
There are two beaches next to each other, Las Peñitas and Playa Poneloya. The bus first goes to Playa Poneloya and then eventually gets to Las Peñitas. If you have your large backpack with you and are staying at Mano o Mano the bus stops right outside.
If you have lighter luggage, it’s worth getting off at Playa Poneloya first and exploring this part of the beach. During weekends this is where the locals gather but during the week it’s very quiet. You can have a nice walk along the beach and climb over some rocks to reach Las Peñitas.
How to get to Las Peñitas by shuttle
If you are short on time, it is possible to visit Las Peñitas for an afternoon. After the volcano boarding tour with Via Via Leon Hostel, you are taken back to the hostel. This allows you to clean yourself up as you will be very dusty and have your free beer.
At about 3 pm they provide a shuttle service to Mano o Mano Hostel in Las Peñitas. A return journey costs $3 and they take you door to door. The return journey leaves Las Peñitas between 6 pm and 7 pm.
Alternatively, you don’t have to have done the volcano boarding tour, you can just use the shuttle service if you are short on time.
Where to stay in Las Peñitas?
I stayed at Mano o Mano Hostel so this is the only place I will recommend. There are other hostels and hotels dotted along the coast and it’s worthwhile checking out other options on hostelworld.com or booking.com if you want to.
I would advise booking a couple of days ahead of your stay as they do get full, especially at weekends.
As mentioned earlier the bus stops right outside the hostel so it’s easy to get here. There are dorms and private rooms at the hostel. The dorms have privacy curtains and personal plugs for your electronics.
There is plenty of activities to keep busy as well as places to relax and chill out.
How long to spend in Las Peñitas?
If you want some time to relax on the beach, take a time out from the cities and enjoy the sunshine I would stay 2-3 nights here. I met a few people who kept extending their stay as they loved it so much.
The Best Things to do in Las Peñitas
Relax, chill, eat, drink
One of the main reasons to visit Las Peñitas is to escape the city heat and relax. Relax at the hostel or head to the beach.
Mano o Mano has a decent menu with reasonably priced food and drink. Alternatively, you can walk along the beach and there are multiple options to find a bite to eat and drink. Walk towards the nature reserve along the main road and there is a couple of very small tiendas to buy little snacks.
If you want to cook yourself food buy your groceries in Leon as there are no major supermarkets nearby.
Watch Breaktaking Sunsets
Some of the best activities are free, and nature loves to deliver. One of the main reasons to stay here overnight is to enjoy the amazing, beautiful sunsets. Each night be rewarded with an awesome orange glow as the sun sets over the pacific. The sunsets are what makes this place so magical for me, I could stay for these alone.
Stargaze at night
Once the sun has set get ready for the next free entertainment. As there is not much light pollution around Las Peñitas it’s a great place to see the stars. Lie on the beach and just enjoy the serene beauty of the stars at night.
Play Beach Volleyball
Every afternoon the tour groups from the volcano boarding stop off at Las Peñitas for a few hours. During this time it’s common to start a game of volleyball. This was the first time I ever played and thoroughly enjoyed it. All level of players is welcome so don’t be worried if you’ve never played before.
Swim & Bodysurf in the warm Pacific
You can’t go to the beach and not go for a swim. There are waves here and the water gets deep quite quickly. There are no lifeguards so take care and be sensible. The water near the hostel is possible for swimming, but more fun to do a bit of body surfing.
Surfing at Las Peñitas and Playa Poneloya
There are several huts along the beach offering surfboard rental. At Las Peñitas beach the waves were not great for surfing and there weren’t many surfers. Poneloya Beach appeared better but still varies day to day.
Kayak in a Mangrove Nature Reserve
Next to the hostel is the Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado, a mangrove nature reserve. Enjoy the reserve by using the free kayaks available from the hostel. Ask about high tide as during low tide the water is too low to kayak.
Enjoy the mangrove forest and keep a lookout for several birds and possible turtles (I didn’t see any).
This is an activity best done as a twosome as you need to carry the kayak to the beginning of the water. It’s not that far, but it feels like it when carrying an old heavy kayak. Ask nicely at the hostel and someone may help you.
Catch up on Exercise
The hostel has a balcony with a few free weights, a pull-up bar, and yoga mats. If like me, you have neglected your fitness regime on your travels, now is the time! Nothing like a morning workout to warrant all the beers you can drink later!
Where to Next?
If you are in Las Peñitas you would have already come from León. Don’t forget to spend time in Leon as there is so many incredible things to do. One of the best activities in is Volcano Boarding down Cerro Negro.
