The transfer first includes flying to the Nicaraguan coastal city of Bluefields, then you have to take a car to the port of Bluefields, and then theres a 90-120 minute boat ride to the resort. We pushed back at 6:30AM, and were airborne five minutes later interestingly there was no safety demo. Mandy confirmed with me the PCR testing requirements for entering Nicaragua, as well as any dietary preferences and special requests that we had for our stay. Im interested in seeing how yours compares to the recent review of this same property on TPG. Our three nights here passed by far too quickly, and Jessy and I both agreed that wed absolutely return in the future, most likely with some of our family members in tow in order to share this incredible value with our loved ones. Trip report for Calala Island. I was also quite surprised that the island had an onsite pizza oven, which the staff used to prepare made-to-order pizzas, among other fire-roasted items! 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. . We take care of all transfers from the airport to and from Calala Island. Your experience sounds similar to what I heard before. 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. Transfer to Calala Island As promised, Nestor met us at the domestic terminal exactly at 5:45 a.m. While breakfast and lunch were always delicious, its the dinner service where Calala Islands incredible culinary team and service staff truly shine. @Will, What is that supposed to mean? I just went to Elephanta Island 3 weeks ago via the normal tourist boat, and never saw any offers of a speedboat. Join our Sunday newsletter to get weekly updates delivered straight to your inbox. We have reservations in May and are wondering what is going to happen. The spa is located at the opposite northeastern corner. If they are charging $2800 per night to stay at a tiny remote island (which is basically extortion for a country as undeveloped as Nicaragua), they should include a helicopter transfer with a stay of at least 3 nights. @ 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. We sat in the boat for a while while our passports were verified by local authorities, or something. I actually bit my tongue for most of the ride because I figured Id I didnt then the hard crashes on the waves might make my teeth crack as they slammed together. Learn More. Oh my gosh, getting to the port was a sensory overload, with the number of people, and how loud it was. Luckily I was able to take a plane back to Bissau. This site is for information and entertainment purposes only. Breezy rooms are accented by white drapery and shell accessories that . We take care of all transfers from the airport to and from Calala Island. Calala Island is the exclusive private island hideaway in the undiscovered Caribbean of Nicaragua. Well, Im on a spiritual journey. Calala Island team member, Shorvin, greeted us at Bluefields Airport, his shirt soaking wet from the boat ride that brought him over here a harbinger of things to come. We happened to arrive on an exceptionally stormy day, so we were in for anextremelybumpy ride! Heading out onto the front deck, then, lets take a look at the outdoor facilities that complete the Junior Suite. Calala Island offers guests a wide range of activities to fill their days on the island, all of which are complimentary. 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. Our flight was scheduled to depart at 6:30AM, and at 6:25AM boarding was called. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, La Costea currently only offers one daily service between Managua and Bluefields (and vice versa) in the mornings. Time to get up and move about the house . Wed then stay at the Best Western Las Mercedes Airport, which is right across the road from Managuas Augusto C. Sandino International Airport. We sat in row seven, behind the wing on the left side. Did you have to do this in the dark coming back???? Calala Island is in Nicaragua. I would be seriously pissed off if I spent $2800 cash/ night And have to endure that kind of transfer to come to this resort. Hope you and Ford recovered quickly lol. While this isnt what youd necessarily expect from a luxury resort: Still, the process of getting from Managua to Calala Island isnt easy. Below you can see us leaving the coastline (right where Bluefields is) and crossing some of the Caribbean Sea to get to Corn Island. Lets talk about those food and beverage offerings, all of which are complimentary in your ultra-all-inclusive Calala Island stay. I was a bit surprised that Ben would mention feeling "safe" at the dock. I hate helicopters but that would be the only way they could get me to go there. 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. Managuas domestic terminal is a small and dimly illuminated space, serving locals and tourists alike who are looking to get to other parts of the country especially the more remote communities on the Atlantic coast which arent as well-connected by road. Worlds apart yet surprisingly accessible, Calala's remote shores may be accepted by scenic boat ride or helicopter transfer. It wasnt super fast, and some parts of the island had a spottier connection than others, but it was more than sufficient considering that youre in the middle of the ocean and would probably want to disconnect as much as possible anyway. Even though the port was a bit crazy, I felt totally safe and comfortable. By the time we had to say goodbye, Calala Island felt like a family to us, one that we couldnt wait to revisit sometime in the future. Dining on Calala Island is exceedingly flexible and customizable. Ford: I'll pay $2,800 to get off this boat. Jessy and I snacked on an express breakfast that the Best Western had prepared for us, running on very little sleep but fuelled by the excitement of the journey ahead. With only 4 luxury beachfront suites, exclusivity comes as standard; and with a team of 25 staff for a . True barefoot luxury meets unspoiled paradise. Features Exterior Lounger and Chair Pool Outdoor Location Beach Front My back hurts just after watching the video! The times of day at which you can make the journey are determined by the flight schedules of La Costea Airlines, Nicaraguas domestic airline. Take the daily housekeeping for example: housekeeping is carried out twice per day, once in the mornings and once in the evenings. But what did you use for transfers to and from the Hyatt place by the airport? :) - 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. 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. 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. 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. The lead officer spoke to Shorvin for a bit, glanced at the passengers, and waved us through into Nicaraguas territorial waters without detecting anything suspicious. A staff member meets you in Managua's Augusto C. Sandino International Airport to show you how to transfer in the domestic . Then, a small bench sits to the side of the bedroom, serving as a divider to the bathroom area. We asked Shorvin if the roughness was normal, and he said it was, noting it was actually a fairly calm day. Price is approximately USD $7,000 each way. However, it was the changing of the seasons when we had visited in November, with persistent wind on the northern coast. Can the resort arrange a stopover of a few days on either end if the trip?? I hope you get him a helicopter back. 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. 1 / 8. Flights Restaurants Things to do 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. (Housekeeping at Calala also includes simple laundry: if your clothes have been soaked or soiled from the days activities, simply leave them in a pile and theyll be returned the following day after a quick wash.). 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. 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. 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. Improve this listing Property amenities Experience the coming together of unspoilt paradise and barefoot luxury. See more about our ethics policies here. The Calala Island boat is parked right next to all the other local boats, which are a vital part of the transportation system in this part of Nicaragua, since its the only way to access many towns. 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. The four villas are spaced out evenly along the southwestern corner of the island. And if youre someone who gets seasick, and/or someone who has back pain, I wouldnt recommend it for you. One of the crew had to jump out and sort of guide the boat. You can redeem 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night for a stay here, which is pretty incredible, especially when you consider that the resort is all inclusive, so it includes food, drinks, transfers, etc. Correspondence is only done via email, and the phone number in Mandys email signature went to voicemail every time I tried to call. The plane has bench seats, rather than Individual ones. Included in our rates, we arrange a short internal flight to Bluefields (50 minutes) followed by a scenic boat ride (90 minutes) to the Island. Boat and helicopter transfers are provided to the mainland, where the resort's guides can lead you to a world of lemurs and chameleons, and a mosaic of unexplored coves. For all that transit, you didn''t seem to get much of a sense of the realities of the area (which is unique and fascinating and scary in all sorts of ways.) Calala Island, at a glance Luxury, private island resort with a beautiful Caribbean setting 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. To give you a sense of the distances: The domestic terminal at Managua Airport is to the side of the international terminal. 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. 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. With open ocean views in front and palm forest behind, each one is completely private. Theres a small convenience store and cafe here in the waiting area. All rights reserved. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should . Simply show up at the lunch spot and the staff will show you to a seat, hand you the menus, and offer you a drink. According to Calala Island's website. No way!! As you can imagine, a stay at Calala Island doesnt come cheap. El Hierro is a magical paradise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, Jessy was decidedly less enthusiastic about another bumpy boat ride, but she was still a good sport in accompanying me. 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. 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. 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. As mentioned above, transfers are included with room rates at Calala Island, so Mandy takes care of all of that. I've always wanted to explore Bluefields. Pictures cant do justice to this, so you can see a video here (the first 30 seconds is in the mangrove area, while the last 60 seconds is from the open sea): When we were on the open sea, Ford started asking me already about what the other options were for leaving Calala Island, as he was seasick, and had terrible back pain. However, Calala Island is also member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which has a marketing partnership in place with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. This is also where youll find the complimentary bug spray and anti-itching creams, in case the no-see-ums take a particular liking to you (as they did with me). Yet somehow the bathroom didnt have any soap. World of Hyatt members can therefore redeem 40,000 Hyatt points per night for a highly aspirational stay at Calala Island. This reminded me of the boat ride from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island on a speed boat. The content and opinions expressed on this site are provided by the authors of this site and are theirs alone. 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. 100.56 Km. Sounds a little disrespectful. Once we wrapped up our phone call with Claudia, Shorvin ushered us into a local taxi, bound for Puerto El Bluff, the local pier. 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. 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. Anyway, given our early-morning departure from Managua, I planned our inbound flight from San Salvador to arrive at 10:30pm. We had planned a few days to explore Nicaragua after our Calala Island adventure, and I was already looking forward to that part of the trip. Experience the coming together of unspoilt paradise and barefoot luxury. Bluefields is the capital of Nicaraguas South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. While I didn't get an exact quote, I was told it would be $10K+. I actually dont disagree with Ford, at least as far as hotel transfers go. Note that theres an additional list of premium spirits that you can opt to pay for, although we were totally happy with ordering from the regular drinks menu to our hearts content. 92.91 Km. 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. When youre facing the terminal from outside, its on the right. Locally, the region is known as the NiCaribbean. As longtime readers will know, Jessy and I are passionate purveyors of seafood. 2023 Prince of Travel. Experience the coming together of unspoilt paradise and barefoot luxury. 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. 3. Why Cant They Have A More Luxurious Transfer? The articles and content on this site are of a general informational nature only and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances. That includes three meals a day, plus unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at any time of day. Nearest train stations from Calella de Palafrugell. 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 103.83 Km. You get there in much the same way. The ride back to Bluefields was definitely less bumpy, but still quite the "experience". 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. While the nonstop flight to Bluefields would have taken 45 minutes, the flight to Corn Island took about 60 minutes. 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. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. Yikes! 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. Gold members get exclusive content, ad-free browsing, and entry-level discounts and early access to events and products. Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). Your stay will also include complimentary breakfast, use of an . Can't wait to read the review of the property! This is one of the best! I must admit, even as someone who was relishing this part of the journey, I was ready for it to end by the time we pulled into the lagoon. La Costeas domestic operations in Nicaragua are a little moreflexiblethan what youd typically expect from an airline. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Most alcoholic beverages served in a variety of locations throughout the Island. An island sushi platter got the meal off to a decent. As for seasickness scapolamine transdermal patches (prescription required) placed behind your earlobe are life changing. I was holding onto the railing for dear life as the speedboat bounced up and down for about an hour. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor a legal or tax professional. Having relished the adrenaline-fulled boat journey en route to the island, I took great delight in getting to take the boat out for another trip. . We went for a few quick dips, but soon decided that wed rather hang out by the more serene beaches on the southern side. After about 15 minutes we were on our way. While everyone rushed up to the gate, I was pleasantly surprised that the gate agent came and got us first. Not to be a douche herebut as someone who has traveled the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, what really surprised me in this article was how little sense you actually get of the place. To be perfectly clear, I felt totally safe, and didnt feel like it was dangerous at all. But at least that was in a bay and not nearly as long. Also, these small beaches arent the pristine white-sand kind. But heck, it's the caribbean, the water is warm. Thinking thats the best way to make sure timing is good for arrival and departure . Get in touch. Find the travel options from Managua to Calala Island that best suit you. This eleven-acre property will leave an indelible mark on the most discerning luxury traveler, offering maximum rejuvenation of the body, mind, and soul. In our case the transitions from inland waters to the open ocean and back were quite dramatic, as it occurred at the mouth of a river with a strong current. Anyway, the flight was about 90% full, and within five minutes boarding was completed. The paid nightly rate starts at US$2,350 per night in the low season and reaches as high as US$3,650 per night in the high season. Looking for transport for the 26 mile drive between Girona airport and Calella (de la Costa)? However, the reason I came to that conclusion is because I know they do this every single day, and I assume nothing usually happens, and not because I actually wasnt at least a little bit scared. My back is KILLING me after watching that video (and yes, I already have a bad back to begin with). Location. Barcelona Sants Railway Station. Do you have to register for this promotion or you get the points automatically when you reserve? Our favourite meal out of all three, however, would have to be the surf and turf on the final night. While there are certain times of day and locations that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are usuallyserved, the staff is happy to tailor the dining experience to your exact liking, including offering private dining at your villa if you so request. I recently had the pleasure of staying at Calala Island, a private island resort located off the coast of Nicaragua. Arriving into Calala Island is not for the faint-hearted. After waiting for about an hour, the airport staff indicated that the plane was ready for boarding. On the outbound journey to Bluefields, we were in a 12-seater Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. As a result of the strong winds, we primarily frolicked in the water on the southern side, where theres a set of swings in the water that makes for a nice photo opportunity. Youre free to interact with the staff as much or as little as youd like. Points per night: . You spend the first hour going through mangroves and lagoons, which sounds nice, except: When you get out of the mangroves area you arrive at a military checkpoint, where armed military officers check your boat very carefully to make sure youre not bringing anything you shouldnt be. The high quality of your travel posts never ceases to amaze me. 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. I was particularly fond of the ceviche, which was light and refreshing, and went along perfectly with a piercing yellow chilli sauce on the side. Villa Policies Check-in: 4:00PM Check-out: 10:00AM Children are welcomed Pets require prior approval and non-refundable pet deposit Non-smoking Villa
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