Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Attraction in Leon (Municipality)

I contemplated not writing this review but after some thought, I figured it'd be best to expose some of the truth behind the management. In a few short words, they are entitled, selfish and outright rude.

If the rating was based off the place itself, i'd give it blindly 5 stars but the way we were treated left much to be desired. My wife and I live in this beautiful country of Nicaragua. We have visited most of what this country has to offer and have never had many complaints. We decided to take a picture of ourselves at the cathedral because of it's beauty for personal use using personal equipment but they accused us of being professional models (thanks btw!) and being part of some marketing company or what have you and completely denied us entry. After trying to explain for what seemed like ages and telling them that we had traveled from far away, their reply was "people have traveled further than you, you're not special".

Obviously in shock, we couldn't understand what was going on until we see their very own professional photographer they have on staff and is related to the person that sells the tickets to go in. They run their own operations and they saw us as loss of profit or as poaching their job (but we were paying for the tickets and the pics were personal as we explained several times).

The situation got heated when we tried to rebuttal and called her out on her dirty business tactics and we were basically shoved out by the lady, screaming at us.

I understand denying entrance to many places but this is a cathedral, a place of god, and we chose this place as something special. They definitely ruined the whole...

This is probably the most important attraction of Leon and it is so poorly managed.

It has random opening hours and no update on closure time or days. Luckily I had an extra day so I could visit. The guard at the ticket area is super rude. I came to buy the tickets and said we are not selling tickets now, to come after 15 mins in a rude way even though I can see people coming out with tickets. The tickets have time on it so why can't they just sell with advance time. I asked if I could wait inside as there was a huge space and he rudely said no even though it was scorching hot outside. Even though I was waiting outside then some guys went directly in and bought tickets before even if they came 15 mins after me. The ticket counter is also run by scammers. They asked me 145 Cordoba which I paid. Then when I got the ticket it's says the price is 3 USD which is 110 Cordoba. I didn't argue but this is a pure scam. Lastly when you go up you have to take out shoes even though the ground is hot and will burn your feet. There should be some sort of arrangement. Lastly they let the tour groups block the whole room before the roof and let them do tour explanation there. In the mean time you are stuck outside in the heat and with your...

The tours offer two prices; one for Nationals and one for non Nationals ($3 US). They offer two separate tours for catacombs (guided) and for the bell tower (not guided). If you're going ontop wear socks because you take off your shoes and have sunglasses!!!!! It's extremely blinding with all the white and the heat. Sunglasses will make it more enjoyable.

The basement is somewhat cool to go to but there's only two tombs in the wall and not really worth it. Ruben Diario is on street level underneath the lion. There's another level but it's restricted (it connects other churches and what not), they only pointed to it. This would've been super cool to check out!

The bell tower is worth it, I'm sure you can ask for a guide if you pay extra but it wasn't offered to me or the people coming up. So you just walk around taking pictures being blinded by the whiteness. The stair climb is moderate compared to other cathedrals and Basilicas I've been to. It's just a narrow squeeze. Is not accessible nor for larger folks.

Their hours close from 12-2pm and supposedly only offer basement tours in the morning only. I've heard ontop is better at 4pm due to the lack of...