Platinum members get access to a Discord chat server, participation on exclusive livestreams, and even better discounts and early access. Military checkpoint enroute to Calala Island. The staff also put up a few hammocks along the shoreline so that guests could relax by the water throughout the day, given that most of the beach chairs were situated on the windy side. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. (And a lot less expensive than $2800/night.). . I would note that the bathroom door wouldnt close and the light in there wouldnt turn on, but otherwise the experience was fine. You have to fly to the nearest international airport in Managua (MGA). Note that Calala Island has a fairly strict 90-day cancellation policy, and youll be charged the cost of the first nights stay if you need to cancel within that 90-day window. Looking for transport for the 26 mile drive between Girona airport and Calella (de la Costa)? We take care of all transfers from the airport to and from Calala Island. Because as Ford described it to me while we were on our way there, this is the most ridiculous thing Ive ever voluntarily put myself through. Below is what that sentiment looks like in a facial expression. After letting us know how the meals and activities would work, warning us about bug bites, and reminding us to keep our eyes peeled for unique wildlife (including the endangered hawksbill turtle and the islands two resident sloths), Claudia and Leon brought us over to our Junior Suite to settle in. Such is the sheer exclusivity of an island with only four villas that youll hardly notice the other guests throughout the day, unless its time to gather for meals or drinks. We were assigned Suite 2: Kakabila. That flight took only about 15 minutes, and by 8:15AM we landed in Bluefields. On the plus side, the ocean views from the comfort of our bed were simply unbeatable. Calala Island, Calala Island: 50 Hotel Reviews, 253 traveller photos, and great deals for Calala Island, ranked #1 of 1 hotel in Calala Island and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Id recommend bringing a sturdy pair of sandals so that you can confidently wade in the water without prickling your feet. 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! This means that a maximum of eight guests can stay on the island on any given night, which creates an unbelievably exclusive experience for the lucky few who are able to snag a booking on the island. Theres not much else happening on this eastern half of the island, which makes the spa something of a sanctuary of its own. The first step in getting to Calala Island is to fly with La Costea Airlines, which is Nicaraguas airline. At $1 million for a weeklong vacation, this Calala Island extravaganza is no doubt the world's most expensive trip . 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. 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. I have a booking for February next year. The journey across the mangroves was very smooth and the journey picturesque. A series of winding paths connect each part of the island to one another. Heres the thing a rough boat ride is kind of fun for like five minutes, or maybe ten minutes tops. The breakfast experience begins with coffee or tea delivered to your villa in the morning, allowing you to enjoy those first morning sips with a magnificent ocean view before heading to breakfast. But the thing that gets me is how much the boat is moving up/down when it's in the calm water in the mangroves (unless it's rougher than it looks??). You are my VIPs, come with me.. Whats more, the water is piping-hot with superb water pressure, so it makes for an all-round excellent shower experience one that I enjoyed so much, I ended up taking about three showers per day in-between spending time on the beach, dipping in the ocean, and going for meals and drinks. also I want Ford's hat, did he buy it in the village? Indeed, I thought that our interactions with the staff and fellow guests added a very welcome layer of friendship and bonding to our experience at Calala. Doubt they get many guest that pay the full $2800 per night, hence the rather shabby transfer arrangements. Rickys love for travelling and learning more about the world is unbounded. As with all meals on the island, if youre craving something thats off-menu, just let the staff know and theyll do their best to make it for you too. Whether it was curling up with a good book, watching the sunset, or simply sneaking in afternoon nap, our hammock was our happy place. Calala Islands four beachfront suites are composed of one Master Suite and three Junior Suites. Rates vary significantly seasonally, and start at $1,650 per night in low season, to $3,400 per night in high season, with a three night minimum stay no matter what. We sat in the boat for a while while our passports were verified by local authorities, or something. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. World of Hyatt members can therefore redeem 40,000 Hyatt points per night for a highly aspirational stay at Calala Island. Hey Ben, did they give any inking that they may close the resort due to the virus? The check-in agent was friendly, and handed us a laminated boarding pass with a number, as well as a bottle of water with a baggage tag on it. Nicaraguans in general are the nicest people I've ever met. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. While breakfast and lunch were always delicious, its the dinner service where Calala Islands incredible culinary team and service staff truly shine. My wife and I just returned from Calala Island after a 5-night stay on points. Lastly, our Junior Suite in particular also had direct access to a small stretch of beach in front of us. We pushed back at 6:30AM, and were airborne five minutes later interestingly there was no safety demo. Our representatives will accompany you throughout the journey. 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. One of the crew had to jump out and sort of guide the boat. 32.08 Km. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should . 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. 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. It was awesome to be able to frolic in the ocean merely steps away from our front porch, before retreating to the hammock with a drink in hand. TICO #50023501, Calala Island Tamarind glazed chicken wings, Calala Island Marinated pork ribs with yuca, Prince of Travel Signature Event, Vancouver 2023. The crowd was a combination of Nicaraguans and American backpackers of all kinds. The few people I had heard from who had been to Calala Island all mentioned that the boat ride was quite something, and Im not sure that does justice to the experience. Your friendly Calala-lalas (also known as staff in the rest of the world) will organize for you to board a 50-minute domestic flight from Nicaragua's main airport in Managua to Bluefields, from where it's a 90-minute scenic boat ride through lagoons and mangroves, out to sea and Calala Island. Calala Island has a Managua Airport representative, Nestor. 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. The reason this suddenly became relevant in our world was because Calala Island belongs to Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and they have a partnership with Hyatt. Exclusive hire of the island for only you and your guests. This site is for information and entertainment purposes only. And if youre someone who gets seasick, and/or someone who has back pain, I wouldnt recommend it for you. The times of day at which you can make the journey are determined by the flight schedules of La Costea Airlines, Nicaraguas domestic airline. Yes, the "economics" of this place raise a lot questions (best left unasked and likely not answered). After quite a long journey, beautiful Calala Island was finally in sight. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. Location. Compared to the more developed Pacific side of the country, Nicaraguas Caribbean coast is much more lush and tropical, and its inhabitants mostly Creole of African descent rather than the predominant mestizo (i.e., mix of Spanish and indigenous ancestry). IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Review: Worth Will Americans New York To Doha Route Survive? As longtime readers will know, Jessy and I are passionate purveyors of seafood. My friends who have been there all described getting there by boat from Bluefields with about the same experience. 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). Calala Island is the exclusive private island hideaway in the undiscovered Caribbean of Nicaragua. Anyway, given our early-morning departure from Managua, I planned our inbound flight from San Salvador to arrive at 10:30pm. Even though the port was a bit crazy, I felt totally safe and comfortable. Anyway, the flight was about 90% full, and within five minutes boarding was completed. As our taxi zipped through the narrow and fairly dilapidated streets of Bluefields, it was clear that this part of Nicaragua was very much lagging behind in terms of development. I wouldn't do that if they paid me $2800 per night. Shorvin also put us in touch with the Calala Island general manager, Claudia, over the phone, who let us know a little bit about what to expect from the boat ride ahead. The bed is definitely on the harder side, which I didnt find to be a problem, but it might not be the most comfortable if you prefer softer sleeping surfaces. We asked Shorvin if the roughness was normal, and he said it was, noting it was actually a fairly calm day. If youre a guest at Calala Island, simply book your international flights into and out of Managua the resort will take care of all the rest. 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? (If we had booked a hotel in the city of Managua, Nestor would arrange a licensed taxi to bring us to the hotel. Calala Island, Calala Island: "how do I get there" | Check out answers, plus 53 reviews and 268 candid photos Ranked #1 of 1 hotel in Calala Island and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Calala Island is a 9.5 acre private island located in the Pearl Cays, a region of the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Nicaragua. @ utahshane -- Interestingly, I was actually pleasantly surprised that I didn't at all feel like they were trying to get any bribes in either direction. As you can imagine, World of Hyatt award availability is hotly contested at this property, and its very much recommended to book well in advance. Non-alcoholic drinks flowed just as freely, from your regular soft drinks, to fresh-cut young coconuts by the beach, to cappuccinos on the hammock. You can get a solid redemption rate on many dates, but you'll still be on the hook for the 814 euros (about $815) helicopter transfer each way, plus food and drinks. We were staying March 7-10, 2020, and for our dates we were advised of two options for our transfers: We chose the early transfer in both directions, and that meant on the way back we were actually leaving at 5:30AM from Calala Island. Chase Bonvoy Boundless Visa: Five Free Nights Worth 250,000 Points! 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! The 90-minute speedboat journey from Bluefields is very much unlike anything else youll encounter in other parts of the world. Lets begin with a tour through the interior of the Junior Suite. My back is KILLING me after watching that video (and yes, I already have a bad back to begin with). According to Calala Island's website. Cape Fahn Hotel. Features Exterior Lounger and Chair Pool Outdoor Location Beach Front To be perfectly clear, I felt totally safe, and didnt feel like it was dangerous at all. On Calala Island, your exclusive hideaway will be one of just four beachfront suites, styled after a traditional Caribbean palapa. There are no freebie luxury resorts worth that kind of transfer imo. With only 4 luxury beachfront suites, exclusivity comes as standard; and with a team of 25 staff for a . Makes seasickness a thing of the past! 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. This reminded me of the boat ride from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island on a speed boat. 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. whereas we took a larger ATR-42 on the return journey, boarding at Bluefields to join many other tourists who were coming back from the Corn Islands. No way!! 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. Wed then stay at the Best Western Las Mercedes Airport, which is right across the road from Managuas Augusto C. Sandino International Airport. The full list of activities is as follows: Many of the activities are weather-dependent. That was really funny, thanks for the video. This eleven-acre property will leave an indelible mark on the most discerning luxury traveler, offering maximum rejuvenation of the body, mind, and soul. During our honeymoon our tour boat had to return to Phuket from the Phi Phi islands as a storm approached. The following activities are included: Private jet flights and helicopter transfers to the Island. As for the living quarters, the villas at Calala Island make for a very cozy beachfront home during your time on the island but I dare say that they arent necessarily the highlight of the resort. Quite an adventure, and we got totally drenched during the hour long ride to the island. Up to 12% cash back for the first three months. 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). The waters of the ocean can get fairly unpredictable around here, so much of the island is surrounded by a rocky seawall, with small stretches of beach that lead into calmer, shallower waters. 1 / 8. After dozing off for the second half of the one-hour flight, I watched with avid interest as our pilots made a smooth landing at Bluefields Airport. THANKS, LUCKY [AND FORD!] Overall, I found the booking and pre-arrival experience to be seamless, if a little shrouded in mystery. The open ocean part of the video had me straight up laughing the entire time. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor a legal or tax professional. Helicopter from Managua international airport direct to Calala Island. On the outbound journey to Bluefields, we were in a 12-seater Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. Calala Islands Managua-based staff representative, Nestor, was on hand to greet us upon exiting the airport in the evening. With open ocean views in front and palm forest behind, each one is completely private. Stepping down onto the sand, theres two recliners for soaking in the sunshine, and then what we found to be the single-best place to relax on the property: acasita with a giant, sturdy hammock that can comfortably fit two. Obviously, this experience is catered to the 0.1 percent. Yikes! Jessy and I aimed to sample as much of the drink list as possible over the course of our three days, from a Pia Calala in the afternoon, to an Old Fashioned after dinner, to the surprise me drinks that the staff were all too happy to whip up. at an additional cost, helicopter transfers direct to the Island The Calala Foundation. Calala Island is a private island located in the Caribbean Sea, forming part of an archipelago of islands known as the Pearl Cays, off the coast of Nicaragua. I hate helicopters but that would be the only way they could get me to go there. Well, Im on a spiritual journey. . 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. At 5:15am the next morning, we checked out of the Best Western and went to meet Nestor at the airports domestic terminal. Why Cant They Have A More Luxurious Transfer? As hopeless coffee addicts, we were delighted that there was an entire menu of Nicaraguan coffee beans to choose from: We were asked for our coffee orders the night prior, which would then be delivered at the specified time in a French press, along with a few biscuits. For us, thats all the more reason to look forward to the next time that were back among friends on Calala, as we cherish the memories from a transformative maiden stay in this little slice of the Caribbean Sea. Once we had our bags Shorvin brought us to a taxi that was waiting to take us to the port the drive took about 10 minutes. Cleanliness. The ATR42 is pretty nice for a turboprop, and we had our choice of seats. 7 nights of accommodation in 4 beachfront suites for eight . . With all the ingredients fresh from the ocean, we couldnt really go wrong here so we sampled everything from the snapper ceviche to the snapper croquettes to the snapper fillet, from the lobster skewers to the lobster burger. 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. Flight time is 85 minutes. My back is hurting just from watching the video. To get from Calala Island to Managua Airport, we could either be back at the airport at 9:45AM or 5:15PM We chose the early transfer in both directions, and that meant on the way back we were actually leaving at 5:30AM from Calala Island. 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. Thinking thats the best way to make sure timing is good for arrival and departure . This reminded me of the boat ride from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island on a speed boat. @Ben , But heck, it's the caribbean, the water is warm. The Calala-bound passengers (ourselves and another couple from the US) were given priority to walk across the tarmac and board the plane. With only 4 luxury beachfront suites, exclusivity comes as standard; and with a team of 25 staff for a maximum of 8 guests, it is our goal to ensure your every desire is met, seamlessly. Flights Restaurants Things to do For our three-night stay, wed get to try: The NiCaribbean buffet consisted of a scrumptious Creole seafood stew, lobster tails and crab legs, generous portions of snapper, beef barbacoa, chicken tacos, and gallo pinto. . Depart Tenerife by helicopter transfer to El Hierro. This makes getting to a secluded resort in the Maldives seem easy, by comparison. Instead, its very much the sheer exclusivity of the four villas on the island, combined with the magical curated experience across the food and drink, activities, and wonderful service, that sets apart Calala Island as one of my all-time-best travel experiences and a truly extraordinary use of your hotel rewards points. Calala Islands four beachfront villas (or cabanas, as they like to call them) are named Awas, Kakabila, Lafe, and Orinoco, respectively. I guess that's not the point of ultra-fancy resorts. Oh my gosh, getting to the port was a sensory overload, with the number of people, and how loud it was. Due to the somewhat stormy and unpredictable weather when we stayed in early November, some of the activities that we wouldve loved to embark on, like snorkelling or ocean fishing, were unfortunately not possible as the ocean water was overly milky. LOL. First of all, because anytime you're anywhere and you stand out, have a bunch of luggage, etc., it's normal to be approached by people and feel on edge, while that feeling wasn't the case here. calala island helicopter transferbrown county tx election results 2022brown county tx election results 2022 The coconut-flavoured Ultra Coco was certainly a crowd-pleaser with its smoothness, though I eventually took a liking to the seven-year and 12-year aged varieties. The one-week break includes return flights in a private jet from any America city to Nicaragua then a helicopter ride to nearby Calala Island and four luxurious beach-front villas for ten . That took about 15 minutes. In addition, waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic may be a good idea so that you can experience the full range of activities and catch a later departure flight on your last day. Booking: I was fortunate to catch someone else canceling a 3-night stay, then worked with Hyatt/Calala to add a 4th and eventual 5th night to my stay before traveling. Getting here is only possible by boat or a helicopter from the mainland. A staff member meets you in Managua's Augusto C. Sandino International Airport to show you how to transfer in the domestic . as each night will set you back over 360,000 points and that's not including the 814 Euros you'd need to pay for a helicopter transfer each way. Heres how the transfer is described in the email to guests: You will motor through the lagoons and mangroves on a traditional Nicaraguan open top speed boat, taking in an array of wildlife and then out to sea where the waters clear and you catch your first glimpse of your island home where ice cold cocktails will be awaiting your arrival. 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.