Welcome to the beaches of León, Nicaragua!
Less than 30 minutes from downtown León, the black-sand beaches of Las Peñitas and Poneloya are a welcome escape from the sweltering heat of the colonial city, where you can enjoy a swim, rent a surfboard or sip a cocktail while watching the sun set in paradise. You can also explore the Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve and observe the many animals in this spectacular mangrove swamp.
Beach of Las Peñitas
Considered THE beach of León, it’s basically a small fishing village located 20 minutes from the city of León . A neighboring beach to the more residential Poneloya, Las Peñitas offers a long, wide black sand beach with an estuary that fills and empties with water as the tides change, and is the gateway to the Isla Juan Venado nature reserve. In recent years, since the road between León and the Pacific coast was paved, a diversified hotel offer has emerged.
Isla Juan Venado Natural Reserve
The end of the road to Las Peñitas is a simple cul de sac, with a few cars parked opposite the Barca de Oro, a small restaurant and historic French hotel on the beach. Above all, it’s the gateway to the Isla Juan Venado nature reserve, just across the road! What a beautiful spot! Isla Juan Venado stretches as far as Salinas Grandes, 22 km to the south, and between it and the coast lies an immense forest of great biodiversity, home to hundreds of species of wading and migratory birds, caimans and iguanas.The spectacular flora and fauna of the mangroves can be discovered aboard a lancha, a fisherman’s boat, or by kayak accompanied by a local guide.A little further on, on the beach of the deserted island, leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs during the season, from August to December!
Poneloya beach, Nicaragua
Poneloya is a fishing village that has become more residential in recent years. Some Nicaraguan families have second homes here. The beach is large and fairly irregular, with black sand everywhere and coconut palms scattered over the coastal land. There’s also an estuary, the entrance and access to Los Brasiles, an island and a huge mangrove swamp . Beware, Poneloya and its beach have a bad reputation for swimming. Waves and currents are very strong.
How to get to the beaches of Las Peñitas and Poneloya?
Las Peñitas and Poneloya are located on the Pacific coast, less than a 30-minute drive from León. There are several ways to get there
- by Chicken Bus, take the bus from the Sutiaba market in León
- by cab,
- by private car, follow the road towards the coast. At the police station, go straight on to Poneloya or turn left to Las Peñitas.
What to pack for a day trip?
We recommend that you pack a swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, water bottle, camera, binoculars and surfboard (which can be rented locally).
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