Antigua To Leon (Guatemala to Nicaragua) FULL Guide 2023
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Looking for the best ways to get from Antigua to Leon? You’re in the right place! This post explains all of the ways to travel between these two popular backpacking locations in Central America, to ensure you have the best, safest and easiest trip possible.
Antigua was one of our favourite places in Guatemala and is known for it’s epic volcano hikes, colourful colonial buildings, strong coffee and digital nomad scene. It’s somewhere we could see ourselves returning to and living in for quite a while.
After your visit to Antigua, it’s common to continue travelling south. If you don’t want to visit El Salvador or Honduras (worried about safety? Check out my honest El Salvador safety opinion here), then Nicaragua – specifically Leon – will be next on your list.
When planning your route from Antigua to Leon, bear in mind you will need to travel across 3 land borders and will spend a considerable amount of time travelling. It’s not a short or easy journey (even if you fly), and that’s why I’ve written this post to help!
So, let’s find out the best ways to travel from Antigua to Leon.
🚎 In a rush? Check out the prices and availability of shuttles and cars from Antigua to Leon here.
Did you know I have a whole post dedicated to helping you backpack Guatemala? From routes, itineraries, what to do, where to eat, what not to miss and everything in between! It’s a one-stop backpacking Guatemala guide – don’t forget to check it out!
🇬🇹 Other Guatemala posts:
- Backpacking Guatemala: COMPLETE Guide + ROUTES
- 2 Weeks In Guatemala: Perfect Itinerary
- Is Guatemala Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice
- Guatemala Independence Day: Everything You Need To Know!
Antigua To Leon (Guatemala to Nicaragua): A Summary
The distance between Antigua and Leon (Nicaragua) is around 700km and is a 13-hour direct drive. Of course, if you are getting a shuttle bus, it’s not going to be as quick as this, due to border crossings, stops off and breaks.
In summary, there are two main ways to get from Antigua to Leon. They are:
It’s important to note that all shuttles will stop in El Salvador, Honduras and then Nicaragua. There are 3 border crossings, so the shuttle journey often takes over 20 hours. But, it’s often cheaper than flying!
I’ve also included a bonus way to travel from Antigua to Leon which includes stopping off in El Tunco, El Salvador. This is a great way to break up the journey and avoid the 20+ hour bus.
So, let’s break down the two options and find out the best way to travel from Antigua to Leon for your trip.
Need help planning your trip to Antigua? Check out these posts: 3 Days in Antigua | Day trips from Antigua
1. Antigua to Leon by flying
If you are flying between Antigua and Leon, you will still need to organise either shared shuttles or private transfers at either side. There is no airport in Antigua, Guatemala, and no airport in Leon, Nicaragua.
This means you need to get to Guatemala City airport and fly to Managua (the capital of Nicaragua). From Managua, you need to board a 2-hour shuttle or private transfer north of Nicaragua to Leon.
If you want to fly to Leon from Antigua, this is my recommended route.
- Board a shuttle from Antigua to Guatemala City airport (1 hour 30 mins) ➡ book here!
- Fly from Guatemala City to Managua (1 hour 20 mins direct, or 4 hours with one stop) ➡ book here!
- Board a shuttle from Managua Airport to Leon (2 hours) ➡ book here!
It’s still not an easy or straightforward journey (are there any of these in Central America?!) but it’s a lot shorter than getting a bus!
Related posts: Day trips from Antigua | Is Guatemala Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
2. Antigua to Leon by shuttle
Ok, let’s discuss the magnitude of a shuttle journey you might be about to endure!
I am a huge advocate for shuttles in Central America, but this one is a little crazy. As you are travelling through FOUR countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua), this is one mammoth shuttle journey. But, many backpackers do it.
Although, once you’re on the shuttle, you’re on. Yes, you may need to change shuttles at a border crossing (depending on the company you book with), but generally, the shuttles from Antigua to Leon are direct. They just take an exceptionally long time (over 20 hours, and sometimes over 28 hours!)
Border crossings in Central America really depend on the country. You can either sail through in under 30 minutes or be stuck for over four hours waiting for no apparent reason (like my friends were at the Honduras/El Salvador border).
The shuttle must be pre-booked via this website, your hostel, or a local travel agent. Depending on the time of year and company, shuttles will cost between £60 ($70) per person.
The journey is around 20-24 hours (depending on traffic, road conditions, roadworks and border crossings) from Antigua to Leon. Bear in mind, the road between Antigua and Leon is adventurous, to say the least, so it may take a little while longer!
Your luggage will be safely tied to the top of the shuttle. Just remember to keep all valuables with you inside the bus!
Crossing the border and driving through Honduras
During this journey, there is around a 4-hour drive through Honduras. Don’t expect this journey to be smooth sailing. It is a regular occurrence for shuttles to be pulled over by police and armed guards, checking who is onboard, passports and belongings.
Don’t panic – this is regular protocol, but it can seem a bit daunting in the middle of the night.
The border crossing itself is simple and straightforward, but it really depends on who is in charge when considering how long it is going to take. Some shuttles can be held for up to four hours at the Honduran border!
Note that if you want to buy any refreshments or snacks at the Honduran border, you will need Honduran Lempira. They do not accept US dollars (the currency of El Salvador) or Córdoba (the currency of Nicaragua).
3. Antigua to Leon by El Salvador
If you have the luxury of time, I highly recommend stopping off in El Salvador first. This way, you can break up your journey between the countries!
Stopping at El Tunco is a great option. This is a small, sleepy coastal town in El Salvador that is safe, fun and easy to reach from Antigua. There are direct shuttles from Antigua to El Tunco, or Antigua to Santa Ana (which is even shorter).
Then, from El Tunco, it is again an easy shuttle (well, it still takes a while, but it’s better than from Antigua!). I have a complete guide on travelling from El Tunco to Leon here.
If you’re unsure about visiting El Salvador, I have a whole hub of resources on the blog, including safety, how to get around and the best things to do!
Where to stay in Antigua (Guatemala)
There are so many amazing hostels to choose from in Antigua that it’s hard to pick the best one! However, after staying in some myself, and talking to other backpackers, we’ve found these are the most popular choices.
Remember: things change quickly when it comes to hostels! Make sure you always read the reviews first.
- Somos: a social hostel with amazing rooftop views
- Hostel Antigueno: another social hostel with a large communal garden
- The Purpose Hostel: beautiful rooftop views of all 3 volcanos
- Barbara’s Boutique Hostel: the most expensive hostel in Antigua, but also one of the most luxurious!
- Casi Casa: a ‘home away from home‘ kind of hostel with comfy beds, a roof terrace and homemade breakfast
- Tropicana: best for solo travellers wanting to party in Antigua!
Related post: 3 Perfect Days In Antigua | Is Guatemala Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice
Where to stay in Leon (Nicaragua)
If you are visiting Leon for the first time, I recommend one of the following accommodations. They are all centrally located, in a safe area and are great for first-timers in the city.
- Poco a Poco Hostel: one of the most popular backpacker hostels in Leon.
- ViaVia Leon: another highly recommended backpacker hostel in Leon.
- Hotel Flor De Sarta: for a reasonably priced boutique hotel in Leon.
- Hotel El Convento Leon Nicaragua: for a touch of luxury in Leon.
Antigua to Leon FAQS
1) How long is the shuttle from Antigua to Leon?
The shuttle between Antigua to Leon can take anywhere from 20-28 hours. This all depends on the border crossings, traffic, road conditions and breaks. It will say 18 hours, but this is rarely the case!
Need help planning your trip to Antigua? Check out these posts: 3 Days in Antigua | Day trips from Antigua
2) Is there a shuttle from Guatemala City to Leon?
Yes, there is a shuttle from Guatemala City to Leon. Again, this can take anywhere from 20-28 hours. This all depends on the border crossings, traffic, road conditions and breaks.
3) Can you take an Uber from Antigua to Lake Atitlán?
Yes, you can take an Uber from Antigua to Lake Atitlan. The journey takes around 2 hours, but will depend on traffic and road conditions. Need more information? I have a complete guide on travelling from Antigua to Lake Atitlan here.
4) Do I need a SIM card to travel around Guatemala?
Yes, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in Guatemala. We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Related post: Staying safe as a solo female traveller in Guatemala
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Antigua to Leon: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the journey from Antigua to Leon (Nicaragua). When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Guatemala content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
You might also like:
- Guatemala Independence Day: Everything You Need To Know!
- 2 Weeks In Guatemala: Perfect Itinerary
- 15 BEST Day Trips From Antigua, Guatemala
- 3 Days in Antigua Guatemala: The Perfect Itinerary
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
