León was one of those places that felt far more authentic than tourist-focused, which made it a really interesting stop. The city has a strong industrial feel in parts—especially with its leather trade and manufacturing background—but there’s also plenty of life in the centre, with busy plazas, street food stalls, and cafés full of locals rather than visitors. The food stood out straight away: proper tacos, grilled meats, and bakeries that seemed busy from morning until late evening. English wasn’t especially common outside hotels and larger businesses, so a bit of basic Spanish went a long way, but people were patient and welcoming when trying to communicate. León probably isn’t the first Mexican city people think of visiting, but that’s part of what made it enjoyable—it felt genuine, busy, and completely unfiltered.