Its time to review my recent stay at Calala Island, though I first want to write a separate installment about getting to Calala Island. Haha I loved this post. When you think of your transfer to a $2,800 per night resort that includes going out into the open ocean, the below boat is probably not what youre expecting but thats exactly what you get. :) - One thing to note is they do have full body nice ponchos if it rains on the boat, we had to use them for 20 minutes and never got wet. I used 120,000 Hyatt points to book my three-night stay at Calala Island about one and a half months prior to the stay. Not only are three meals per day included at Calala Island, but so too are unlimited drinks at the bar or indeed anywhere, since the staff is happy to serve you drinks no matter which corner of the island you find yourself. Overall, I found the booking and pre-arrival experience to be seamless, if a little shrouded in mystery. Heres the thing a rough boat ride is kind of fun for like five minutes, or maybe ten minutes tops. Time to get up and move about the house . Calala Island has a Managua Airport representative, Nestor. So my mention of safety was supposed to be positive, that I didn't experience any issues and felt comfortable. The seating arrangements for all meals on Calala Island are also switched up every day, depending on the number of guests on the island and the weather that day. You can leave the island at either 5:30 a.m. or noon, for an arrival into Managua Airport at 9:45 a.m. or 5:15 p.m. Check-in Have you ever been greeted by an entire island upon your arrival? LOL. The flight was fine there was a water or juice service, but otherwise theres not much to talk about. As the boat pulled into the main jetty, we were greeted by a couple of songsters, along with our hosts and the resorts general managers, Claudia and Leon. And if youre someone who gets seasick, and/or someone who has back pain, I wouldnt recommend it for you. Calala Island | Luxury Hotels in Nicaragua | Black Tomato I have a booking for February next year. On the second night, it was time for a decidedly different kind of activity: a crab race! My wife and I just returned from Calala Island after a 5-night stay on points. Why Does This Weeklong Trip Cost $1 Million? Each couple picked a crab, and the first crab to make it out of the arena in the sand would win their guests a special prize. Typically, guests are invited to gather at the main bar anytime from 5:30pm onwards for a few rounds of drinks to start the night. It needs to be good as it is after I go to Antarctica and Galapagos. My back is KILLING me after watching that video (and yes, I already have a bad back to begin with). Also, 7am is the earliest that your coffee or tea can be delivered, since thats when the staff get to work in the mornings, which we found a bit inconvenient when we wanted to wake up at 5:30am to catch the sunrise.). Welcome to Calala Island, a luxury, private Island resort nestled in an undiscovered part of the Caribbean, just off the coast of Nicaragua. ManaguaBluefieldsCorn IslandsBluefieldsManagua, A traditional NiCaribbean buffet on the first night, Calala Islands signature seven-course tasting menu on the second night, Transfer MR points to Aeroplan and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights, Unlimited airport lounge access for you and one guest at Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion, and other lounges, Credits and rebates for business expenses throughout the year with Amex Offers, Bonus MR points for referring family and friends, Qualify for the card as a sole proprietor. Since it was a bit early to get started with cocktails, we asked for some coffee and coconuts to sip on as Claudia walked us through everything we needed to know during our three-night stay. For everyone else, stay tuned for the review of the actual resort before deciding whether or not Calala Island is worth visiting, in spite of the transfer. It takes approximately 3h 25m to get from Managua to Calala Island, including transfers. At 5:15am the next morning, we checked out of the Best Western and went to meet Nestor at the airports domestic terminal. Barcelona Sants Railway Station. Points per night: . There are no freebie luxury resorts worth that kind of transfer imo. Every morning, the islands masseuse, Karen, greets the guests at breakfast and asks if theyd like to book a spa treatment that day. No doubt about it our crab won the race at a canter and bestowed upon Jessy a complimentary spa treatment the following day. Its worth noting that our bags were taken from us at this point, and we never had to worry about them from this point onwards, until we arrived at our villa on Calala Island. Based on my research, the flight operates in one of the following ways, and you dont know until the day-of which route they take (even though they publish schedules as if its certain): It seems that they decide which route to operate based on what people booked on a particular date. A staff member meets you in Managua's Augusto C. Sandino International Airport to show you how to transfer in the domestic . . Girona Railway Station. (And a lot less expensive than $2800/night.). Lol. From Crawl Cay, we took the boat to swing by a few other islands, without landing. I can only imagine dreaming of a romantic vacation at a luxury hotel then finding yourself bobbing up and down on a fishing boat. This makes getting to a secluded resort in the Maldives seem easy, by comparison. Indeed, thinking back to the dinners we had, the fact that this all took place on a private island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is genuinely incredible! CALALA ISLAND: UPDATED 2022 Resort Reviews, Price Comparison and 253 Barcelona Franca Railway Station. at an additional cost, helicopter transfers direct to the Island The Calala Foundation. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor a legal or tax professional. Its just as lonely a place as it is mysterious. Eventually, the boat makes its way to Pearl Lagoon, the closest major community to Calala Island. 1 / 8. Please contact . I hope your backs were okay. Lucky, I've done two hours up the Sepik River in pouring rain, just me and the small boat operator (smaller them your boat) and hours long trips down the rivers of Borneo, both similar to the mangrove part of your trip. Safe online bookings without fees Excellent reputation Value for money Door-to-door service Review: Calala Island Nicaragua - One Mile at a Time Related: Private islands and space flights: 8 of the most exclusive travel experiences you can book with points Calala Island CARISSA RAWSON/THE POINTS GUY Calala Island Hotel Review, Nicaragua | Travel - The Telegraph As part of the pre-dinner drinks, the staff always tries to prepare some kind of special surprise for the guests on each night. The Calala-bound passengers (ourselves and another couple from the US) were given priority to walk across the tarmac and board the plane. Instead, theyre fairly rocky and laden with sea life, reflecting the raw ocean that engulfs the island all around. Nestor met us there at 5:30AM sharp, and he escorted us right to the front of the line, which was almost awkward, since they even have a special Calala Island VIP counter. The other villas mostly have a rocky seawall in front of them, so I had specifically requested Kakabila with its direct beach access. In fact, we were warned to keep clear of the coconut trees as much as possible to avoid an unwanted concussion. The open ocean part of the video had me straight up laughing the entire time. calala island helicopter transfer I hate helicopters but that would be the only way they could get me to go there. Like I mentioned, though, this side of the island was battered by strong winds during our time here, so unfortunately we didnt get to properly lie down and relax by the pool. Given the logistics of travelling to and from the island, the resort imposes a three-night minimum stay. The former group chat can be used to ask questions, communicate any special requests, or simply plan out your day with the general managers, whereas the second chat line is used for simple requests like getting something delivered to your villa or ordering a drink to wherever you are on the island. To be perfectly clear, I felt totally safe, and didnt feel like it was dangerous at all. Sounds a little disrespectful. Prince of Travel is Canadas leading resource for using frequent flyer miles, credit card points, and loyalty programs to travel the world at a fraction of the price. Typically, Id get a bit of work done in the mornings after our first coffees, and then wed stroll over to breakfast at around 9am. Calala Island is a private island with just four rooms, and is very expensive when paying cash. I never thought Id actually hear anyone say this, but there were two girls seated next to us that got to talking: Where are you going? Heading out onto the front deck, then, lets take a look at the outdoor facilities that complete the Junior Suite. also I want Ford's hat, did he buy it in the village? Security took just a minute, and then we were inside the small domestic terminal. The Calala Island team is 25+ strong, consisting of general managers Claudia and Leon, front-of-house hosts Shorvin, Ruben, and Mick, and a full squad of chefs, housekeeping staff, groundsmen, songsters, and behind-the-scenes staff members. In a review that Lucky link to earlier some of the comments mentioned that a lot of the guest were Brits that had won the stay or bought it trough charity actions. I hope your backs were okay. But the staff also went above and beyond in so many ways, from organizing the unique activities every night, to leaving little gifts of cigars and chocolates in our villa, to the little things, like taking note of our love for the yellow chilli sauce and serving it with every meal. Redeem Hyatt Points At $2,350/Night Private Island - One Mile at a Time Up to 12% cash back for the first three months. Calala Island (thankfully) doesnt have mosquitoes, although it does have sandflies or no-see-ums, which do bite, but are too small to be kept out by the net. I recently had the pleasure of staying at Calala Island, a private island resort located off the coast of Nicaragua. Rickys love for travelling and learning more about the world is unbounded. COVID-19 Travel restrictions may apply. Instead, youll most likely be taking advantage of the resorts complimentary round-trip transfers, which includes a flight from Managua to the city of Bluefields, a taxi ride through Bluefields, and then a 90-minute boat ride to the island. The curated dinner experience carries on into the meals themselves. You get there in much the same way. Gold members get exclusive content, ad-free browsing, and entry-level discounts and early access to events and products. Included in our rates, we arrange a short internal flight to Bluefields (50 minutes) followed by a scenic boat ride (90 minutes . Then, a small bench sits to the side of the bedroom, serving as a divider to the bathroom area. Two of the Junior Suites are made available for World of Hyatt members to book on points on any given night. Calala Island - Boat transfer via Nicaraguan Navy checkpoint. As part of the ultra-all-inclusive rate, all food and beverages (including most alcoholic beverages) are included in the stay, along with all activities while on the island and round-trip transfers from Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. I enjoyed the gallo pinto traditional Nicaraguan rice and beans, with eggs and cheese on the side and the Eggs Benedict over the course of our two breakfast sittings (as wed be leaving at the early hour of 5:15am on the third day). With the storm continuing to surround us, it was only safe enough to make landfall on one of the nearby islands: Crawl Cay, home to another proposed resort that was abandoned in the middle of construction. Youre free to interact with the staff as much or as little as youd like. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. How To Get To Calala Island (Brace Yourself), Review: American Airlines Main Cabin Extra 737, Flying With La Costea Airlines To Bluefields. This eleven-acre property will leave an indelible mark on the most discerning luxury traveler, offering maximum rejuvenation of the body, mind, and soul. This small island is known as the most romantic . Cleanliness. Prior to our stay Mandy was in touch with us, who is in charge of the pre-stay experience for guests. Lets begin with a tour through the interior of the Junior Suite. Anyone paying $$ can afford the helicopter transfer and surely will rather than endure that. I have, now that I've stayed at Calala Island. We parked on the apron, and about two thirds of passengers got off. The T-bone steak, intended for sharing, grilled to absolute perfection and slathered in a glistening layer of zesty chimichurri, while the lobster tails were similarly coated with garlicky goodness. On the ATR42 you board through the rear, since the cargo hold is in the front of the plane, behind the cockpit. With only 4 luxury beachfront suites, exclusivity comes as standard; and with a team of 25 staff for a . El Hierro helicopter tour. Essentially they operate the flight to Bluefields in conjunction with the flight to Corn Island, which is a popular Nicaraguan vacation destination off the coast. All rights reserved. The Calala Island team rotates the dinner menu on a daily basis, so that every guest can try something different every night regardless of how many nights theyre staying. However, it was the changing of the seasons when we had visited in November, with persistent wind on the northern coast. Speaking of beaches, its worth noting that the beaches on Calala are dotted around the coastline, rather than surrounding the entire island evenly. Calala Islands Managua-based staff representative, Nestor, was on hand to greet us upon exiting the airport in the evening. At $1 million for a weeklong vacation, this Calala Island extravaganza is no doubt the world's most expensive trip . Quite an adventure, and we got totally drenched during the hour long ride to the island. The six of us on the island ourselves and two other couples gathered at the show kitchen and chatted over drinks before eventually digging into a few delicious helpings of jerk chicken (and any other lunch items we wanted to order). Our representatives will accompany you throughout the journey. Therefore, we continued to take lunch in or around the main pavilion, the same place where we had breakfast and dinner. Below you can see us leaving the coastline (right where Bluefields is) and crossing some of the Caribbean Sea to get to Corn Island. Kamalame Cay, Bahamas You need to take a charter flight, helicopter, or seaplane from Andros Island to reach Kamalame Cay, an all-inclusive that occupies its own 96-acre island, and once you're there, you'll feel worlds away. Improve this listing Property amenities 2023 Prince of Travel. It felt as though we were in a bit of a hurry, which may have had to do with the predicted weather patterns on the open ocean that day although I certainly didnt mind getting to the island as quickly as possible! Managua to Calala Island via plane, and bus - Rome2rio We had quite a wait, and then 30 minutes later we departed for Bluefields, again with a nearly full load. There was another abandoned resort on nearby Pink Pearl Island which is somehow still open to VRBO bookings to this day! The front-of-house hosts will discreetly let the housekeepers know when youve arrived for breakfast or dinner, so that they may refresh your room without you ever noticing them! Upon your arrival, youre set up with a WhatsApp chat group with Claudia and Leon, as well as a separate WhatsApp line to the front-of-house team. On a particularly nice morning, the staff might arrange the breakfast tables to be outdoors right by the water, so that you can enjoy your meal barefoot on the beach. @Will, What is that supposed to mean? Id certainly loved to have stayed on the island for longer during our last day and taken advantage of the midday flight, so Id recommend planning your visit to Calala Island once La Costea hopefully restores full services in the near future. We asked Shorvin if the roughness was normal, and he said it was, noting it was actually a fairly calm day. The flight to Bluefields takes around one hour, and affords some spectacular views of Nicaraguas claim to fame as the land of lakes and volcanoes, including Lake Nicaragua, the Mombacho Volcano, and even Ometepe Island far off into the distance. True barefoot luxury meets unspoiled paradise. Yet somehow the bathroom didnt have any soap. Helicopter private transfer price from 3950. Indeed, I had initially booked for November 69, but Mandy was able to change our dates to November 710 independently, given that the resort did indeed have World of Hyatt points availability on the night of the 9th. We can also arrange, at an additional cost, helicopter transfers direct to the Island, Copyright 2023 Calala Island. What happened in your situation? Step up your travel game with a full day of discussion panels and presentations, a catered lunch and drinks, networking, prizes, and an exclusive VIP Experience! There's an AirBnB on a tiny island off the coast of Honduras called Cayos Cochinos. Getting to Calala Island is a trek, and involves planes, cars, and a very rough boat ride. And it was worth it because that island is soooo spectacular when you get there. Service. Jessy opted for a Rejuvenating Facial massage on the second day, which cost US$115 not unreasonable compared to what other comparable resorts around the world might charge for a 60-minute treatment. A Secret Island On Nicaragua's Undiscovered Caribbean Coast - Forbes Calala Island operates as an ultra-all-inclusive luxury resort, offering a total of only four beachfront villas, each with an occupancy of two guests. Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Calala Island is a small 11-acre island that forms part of the Pearl Cays, sitting 4 km off the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua in the Caribbean Sea. Now, even though I had known what we were getting into upon booking this stay, I had purposefully told Jessy to avoid researching Calala Island at all and keep things as much of a surprise as possible. Calala Island - Luxury Caribbean & Nicaragua Travel - Ker & Downey Calala Island is privately owned by the Wickham family. With ample space for up to ten discerning guests, the island is the perfect hideaway for all adventurers who like to travel off the beaten track. As Shorvin and the rest of the staff members brought our luggage over to our villa, Claudia and Leon brought us over to the islands main pavilion to complete our welcome formalities (in addition to offering us some towels to dry off from the ocean!). document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sorry for random ?. Features Exterior Lounger and Chair Pool Outdoor Location Beach Front I would note that the bathroom door wouldnt close and the light in there wouldnt turn on, but otherwise the experience was fine. Once we wrapped up our phone call with Claudia, Shorvin ushered us into a local taxi, bound for Puerto El Bluff, the local pier. There are two ways to get to Calala Island; directly by helicopter or by taking a short flight from Managua to Bluefield's, before boarding a traditional Nicaraguan boat that will take you through lush mangroves to the island's dock. However, I would gladly do them over again than take your open water journey that had me bracing with every bump at the seat of my computer. You have to fly to the nearest international airport in Managua (MGA). Across more than 300 kilometres and three separate modes of transportation, the journey from Managua to Calala Island takes about four hours from start to finish. Royal Platinum members get access to exclusive benefits, opportunities, and events, along with a personal touch from our founder. Second of all, I mention this because I know some people canceled their Calala Island trips because Nicaragua is a "Level 3" country according to the Second of all, I mention this because I know some people canceled their Calala Island trips because Nicaragua is a "Level 3" country according to the Department of State, due to "civil unrest, crime, limited healthcare availability, and arbitrary enforcement of laws.". How To Get To Calala Island (Brace Yourself) - One Mile at a Time They nailed the foundational service principles, from greeting us with a smile every morning to ensuring our drink glasses were never empty for more than a few seconds during mealtime. The bathroom consists of a counter with double sinks. On one of the mornings, a coconut fell right by our villa as we were sipping our coffee, so we brought it to breakfast and asked if the staff could prepare it for us as a snack and they were happy to oblige. Calala Island. When I mention Calala Island, Im guessing some regular readers will immediately know what Im talking about, while everyone else will be saying eh? Calala Island is a private island on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua (or the NiCaribbean, as the hotel calls it). Experience the coming together of unspoilt paradise and barefoot luxury. From there, it was time for the real adventure: the last 4 km stretch of open ocean to reach Calala Island. A luxury, ultra all-inclusive, private Island resort hidden in the undiscovered part of the Caribbean. Mandy is also able to facilitate any date changes independently of your Hyatt reservation. I am sure you have been to Maldives and you know they have seaplanes there which are fantastic . We also took a few dips in the small beach immediately in front of our villa, too. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. We flew to Managua Airport the evening before on American from Miami, and we spent the night at the Hyatt Place Managua. (Note that theres no coffee or tea setup in the villa itself, as the resort prefers to operate with a central kitchen for all things food and drink. The island is paradise for nature and wildlife lovers; sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, otters, rays, and lobsters all call the surrounding waters home, whilst birdlife on the island is abundant and diverse. CALALA ISLAND - Prices & Resort Reviews (Nicaragua) Your stay will also include complimentary breakfast, use of an . He let us know to reconvene at the domestic terminal at 5:30am in the morning, and escorted us across the street to the Best Western. The first two meals of the day are meant to be taken casually at your leisure, but dinner is always dressed up as a more fulsome experience for the guests. Omg! While the surf and turf was the indisputable highlight, all three meals were of an incredible fine-dining quality, on par with most high-end restaurants that youd find on land. Meanwhile, Jessy was decidedly less enthusiastic about another bumpy boat ride, but she was still a good sport in accompanying me. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, La Costea currently only offers one daily service between Managua and Bluefields (and vice versa) in the mornings. Overall, I must say I was a bit sad that we didnt get to partake in the full range of activities here at Calala Island, although I was still grateful to the staff for giving us a quick island-hopping adventure on an exceptionally stormy last day. After a considerable delay we climbed into the open pangas for our transfer. The crowd was a combination of Nicaraguans and American backpackers of all kinds. Here we met Shorvin from Calala Island, who would be accompanying us on the rest of the journey. When are you planning on posting your review of the resort itself itself? Shorvin guided us expertly through the crowd and to our Calala-bound motorboat. The articles and content on this site are of a general informational nature only and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances. Cape Fahn Hotel. I hope you get him a helicopter back. It was so bumpy I bruised my tailbone and had trouble sitting and laying down for many days afterwards. CALALA ISLAND - Prices & Resort Reviews (Nicaragua) - Tripadvisor It was clear that both the general managers, whove plied their trade on island resorts for an entire career, and the local staff, who mostly hail from the nearby Caribbean Nicaragua communities, took a great deal of pride in their work and would always go the extra mile to give their guests the best possible time here. CALALA ISLAND - Updated 2022 Prices & Resort Reviews (Nicaragua) Book Calala Island, Calala Island on Tripadvisor: See 53 traveler reviews, 268 candid photos, and great deals for Calala Island, ranked #1 of 1 hotel in Calala Island and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.