@ Mitch Cumstein -- Yep, it's my understanding that they're happy to book you the flight earlier or later so you can have a stopover there before continuing to the resort. 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. Why? I am sure you have been to Maldives and you know they have seaplanes there which are fantastic . I much prefer three hours of Omg! 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. Girona Railway Station. 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. I was very much reminded of our seaplane journey en route to another incredible island resort experience in the Maldives last year! 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. Interestingly there were some drug sniffing dogs on arrival, and also a temperature check. The open-air boat travels at top speed, cutting through the mirror-like surface of the water. The curated dinner experience carries on into the meals themselves. Our representatives will accompany you throughout the journey. Depart Tenerife by helicopter transfer to El Hierro. While the nonstop flight to Bluefields would have taken 45 minutes, the flight to Corn Island took about 60 minutes. 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 Most alcoholic beverages served in a variety of locations throughout the Island. 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 island is only accessible via boat or helicopter, the latter of which can only be chartered out of Managua at an enormous expense. When are you planning on posting your review of the resort itself itself? 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. (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. Points per night: . 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. 100.56 Km. 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. Its quite surreal to see the handful of resort buildings sitting in a state of disrepair. According to Calala Island's website. 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! 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). Cant wait for the review of the island. 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. Makes seasickness a thing of the past! 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. 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. Id recommend bringing a sturdy pair of sandals so that you can confidently wade in the water without prickling your feet. Yet somehow the bathroom didnt have any soap. 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. 1 way takes more or less including take off and landing 60 minutes. Doubt they get many guest that pay the full $2800 per night, hence the rather shabby transfer arrangements. The full list of activities is as follows: Many of the activities are weather-dependent. @ 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. 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. Your stay will also include complimentary breakfast, use of an . Calala Island. All rights reserved|. Improve this listing Property amenities Jessy was over the moon as she fiddled her way through the crab legs, just as much as I took great pleasure in having an entire T-bone steak to dig into. When the rail opens this July, it will cost & function the same as TheBus routes, with a $3 default fare single ride, free unlimited transfers for 2.5 hours, and daily ($7.50) & monthly ($80) fare caps. As you might imagine, though, this was the one part of the overall dining experience that perhaps didnt quite reach the highest heights compared to the sushi we get back home in Toronto or Vancouver. 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. To go from the island of Calala to Managua airport, we may be back at the airport at 9:45 am or 5:15 pm. Anyway, given our early-morning departure from Managua, I planned our inbound flight from San Salvador to arrive at 10:30pm. The western part of the island is covered in a lush canopy of palm trees, whereas the eastern half is more swampy and inaccessible, and there are a few boardwalks instead of regular paths in this area. On the second night, it was time for a decidedly different kind of activity: a crab race! If I had to compare this place against other favourite high-value luxury resorts, then what Calala Island lacks in the glamour factor and the ultra-luxurious living quarters compared to more popular destinations like Dubai or the Maldives, it fully makes up for with the unmatched exclusivity of only four villas and the unparalleled generosity of all your meals, drinks, activities, and round-trip transfers included in the ultra-all-inclusive rate. TICO #50023501, Calala Island Tamarind glazed chicken wings, Calala Island Marinated pork ribs with yuca, Prince of Travel Signature Event, Vancouver 2023. About 100 to 120 kilometers. Calala Island: Paradise - See 53 traveler reviews, 268 candid photos, and great deals for Calala Island at Tripadvisor. Helicopter private transfer price from 3950. 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! 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. Cape Fahn Hotel Thailand. We ended up ordering this quite a few times alongside our various main courses. This reminded me of the boat ride from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island on a speed boat. 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. We particularly enjoyed the San Sebastian and de la Cruz dark roasts, and those first cups of coffee on our patio did indeed make for an excellent start to each day. Lastly, I should note that the wifi on the island was quite impressive, considering the remoteness of the place. I've spent almost 2M Hyatt points so far, and this 200k was among . More details This eleven-acre property will leave an indelible mark on the most discerning luxury traveler, offering maximum rejuvenation of the body, mind, and soul. 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. 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. 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. Breezy rooms are accented by white drapery and shell accessories that . FOR BEING THE BLOGGER WHO -- IN TRYING TIMES -- KEEPS THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL ADVENTURE ALIVE AND MANAGES TO TAKE US ALONG FOR A CRAZY BOAT RIDE. The island is only accessible via boat or helicopter, the latter of which can only be chartered out of Managua at an enormous expense. ), Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners, To get from Managua Airport to Calala Island, we either had to be at the airport at 5:45AM or 1PM, To get from Calala Island to Managua Airport, we could either be back at the airport at 9:45AM or 5:15PM, From Managua to Bluefields to Corn Island to Managua, From Managua to Corn Island to Bluefields to Managua, From Managua to Bluefields to Corn Island to Bluefields to Managua, Youre going really fast, to the point that your eyes are watering and you can barely look outside, even with sunglasses; I spent most of the boat ride just looking down, The boat just constantly hits the water over and over and over; its physically painful, Make sure you put on lots of sunscreen, since theres no shade, Similarly, if it rains youre exposed to all of the elements, and weather in this region changes very quickly; your bags are put into plastic bags and trash bags so that they dont get wet, and youre given a poncho, There is an option to pay to use a helicopter, though its exorbitantly expensive, and personally Im terrified of helicopters, so wouldnt consider it, While a nicer boat might sound nice, theres a practical reason for these boats, which is that they can go in really shallow water, and in some cases youre in water thats just a few feet deep, In some cases you go through some tight turns in the lagoons and mangroves, and a bigger boat just doesnt make sense, The boat goes really fast, so short of taking a huge speedboat, its going to be rough, Ill say this about the resort in advance I dont at all understand economics of Calala Island, and I imagine a more luxurious boat transfer would throw off the numbers even more, Its nice that they at least fully include the transfer with the rate, even when paying with points, The whole transfer is well organized, if nothing else, Given the unique challenges the resort faces, this system is probably the only economically viable and practical way to get people to the resort. Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). Getting to Calala Island is a trek, and involves planes, cars, and a very rough boat ride. There was another abandoned resort on nearby Pink Pearl Island which is somehow still open to VRBO bookings to this day! Well, Im on a spiritual journey. 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. Then, since we won the crab race, we got to pick another spa treatment for free! 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. (Additional cost) Helicopter from Managua International Airport (MGA) direct to Calala Island. 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. 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.). 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. At 5:15am the next morning, we checked out of the Best Western and went to meet Nestor at the airports domestic terminal. Price is approximately USD $7,000 each way. 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. Gold members get exclusive content, ad-free browsing, and entry-level discounts and early access to events and products. Cleanliness. We flew to Managua Airport the evening before on American from Miami, and we spent the night at the Hyatt Place Managua. Here we met Shorvin from Calala Island, who would be accompanying us on the rest of the journey. Anyway, the flight was about 90% full, and within five minutes boarding was completed. 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. How To Get To Calala Island (Brace Yourself), Review: American Airlines Main Cabin Extra 737, Flying With La Costea Airlines To Bluefields. Calala Island is privately owned by the Wickham family. All rights reserved. Heres the thing a rough boat ride is kind of fun for like five minutes, or maybe ten minutes tops. It's an hour's flight from Managua to Bluefields, then around two hours by boat - a spectacular. 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. Obviously, this experience is catered to the 0.1 percent. From here, its about another 15-minute ride to Calala, but its an opportunity to step off and use the restroom if you need to. The spa is located at the opposite northeastern corner. Calala Island guests enjoy a VIP priority queue, and the La Costea staff member inspected our documents and waved us through no need for boarding passes or anything like that. 1850 im assuming. 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. Overall, I found the booking and pre-arrival experience to be seamless, if a little shrouded in mystery. 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. We can also arrange, at an additional cost, helicopter transfers direct to the Island, Copyright 2023 Calala Island. The beef fillet medallions were also very flavourful, though I was struggling to get it all down towards the end of the meal! Wed then stay at the Best Western Las Mercedes Airport, which is right across the road from Managuas Augusto C. Sandino International Airport. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. 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. Our worries vanished, though, when the surf and turf arrived. 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. My wife and I just returned from Calala Island after a 5-night stay on points. If you ever want to use your Bonvoy points for North Island, you will need to take a helicopter. For what its worth, these transfer times are based around the timing of the flights within Nicaragua, since thats the limiting factor. Chances are that at this point youre asking yourself and why cant they have a nicer transfer option? I asked myself these things as well, and here are some thoughts on that: While the transfer is far from luxurious, I actually get it. The experience is priced at $1 million US dollars for 7 nights and accommodates up to eight adults and two children. Nicaraguans in general are the nicest people I've ever met. Lol. The page you requested has either moved Review: Aeromexico 737 Business Class Mexico City to San Francisco, another incredible island resort experience in the Maldives last year, Video: I Stayed on a $3,000/Night Private Island, The New CIBC Costco Mastercard, Coming March 2022, 25% Transfer Bonus from Amex US MR to Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Earn Aeroplan Points on Uber Eats Grocery & Retail Orders, RBC Avion Credit Cards: Offers for 35,000 Avion Points, Marriott Homes & Villas Promotion: Stay Four Nights, Earn 40,000 Points, The Complete Guide to British Airways First Class, Review: Emirates 777 Business Class Dubai to Seattle. Looking for transport for the 26 mile drive between Girona airport and Calella (de la Costa)? Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe. COVID-19 Travel restrictions may apply. This makes getting to a secluded resort in the Maldives seem easy, by comparison. There are no freebie luxury resorts worth that kind of transfer imo. Calala Islands four beachfront suites are composed of one Master Suite and three Junior Suites. Your experience sounds similar to what I heard before. 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. Please contact . Ford: I'll pay $2,800 to get off this boat. On the outbound journey to Bluefields, we were in a 12-seater Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. 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). 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. Getting here is only possible by boat or a helicopter from the mainland. 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. On the ATR42 you board through the rear, since the cargo hold is in the front of the plane, behind the cockpit. What a journey and thanks for sharing. 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.". That flight took only about 15 minutes, and by 8:15AM we landed in Bluefields. Its just as lonely a place as it is mysterious. Calala Islands Managua-based staff representative, Nestor, was on hand to greet us upon exiting the airport in the evening. My back hurts just after watching the video! 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. On the first night, we indulged in a round of rum tasting, trying out several of Nicaraguas renowned Flor de Caa rums. 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. Safe online bookings without fees Excellent reputation Value for money Door-to-door service . Theres not much else happening on this eastern half of the island, which makes the spa something of a sanctuary of its own. Our flight was scheduled to depart at 6:30AM, and at 6:25AM boarding was called. The plane has bench seats, rather than Individual ones. calala island helicopter transfer calala island helicopter transfer. 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. 335. 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. Hes on a mission to document and understand every square inch of the globe, and travelling on points will be an essential tool along his journey. 1 of 12. Barcelona Sants Railway Station. redeem 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night for a stay here, We flew to Managua Airport the evening before. Calala Island advertises themselves as being "ultra all inclusive." As they describe it, stays here include the following: Return transfers from Managua International airport (50 minute internal flight and 90-minute boat transfer). 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. I have, now that I've stayed at Calala Island. @Ben , . Yes. 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??). But at least that was in a bay and not nearly as long. The weather on the open water can be unforgiving but how else . 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. 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! Full use of Island boats and skipper. Next to me, Jessy had her hood over her head the whole time, her eyes slammed shut in fear. 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 flight was fine there was a water or juice service, but otherwise theres not much to talk about. Jessy and I sat in Row 1 of the Cessna on the way out, getting a front-row view of the pilots in front of us, as well as the passing landscape to our sides. Up to 12% cash back for the first three months. Spend your days lazing in the hammock or taking hand-in-hand strolls on the beach - after your morning mimosas, naturally. Moreover, I had mentioned to the staff that Jessy prefers surf much more than turf, and so they also cooked up a bowl of king crabs cooked in an Asian-inspired black bean sauce, just for us! This small island is known as the most romantic . The journey across the mangroves was very smooth and the journey picturesque. We have reservations in May and are wondering what is going to happen. Now, Jessy and I made the effort to chat with everyone quite a bit throughout our stay. Otherwise you are looking at rough sea which I def dont recommend! 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. 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. The daily flight to Bluefields is actually designed to serve an additional community, Corn Islands, as well. We also opted for a garden salad one day, hoping to balance out our daily gargantuan meals with a healthier item. Service. @Will, What is that supposed to mean? 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. I do wish we couldve made more use of the swim-up bar in the pool, although the windy weather on that side of the island made it hard to spend any quality time there. 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. Lunch is generally served between 12pm and 3pm, though again, you can really take it whenever youd like. . The first step in getting to Calala Island is to fly with La Costea Airlines, which is Nicaraguas airline. Sounds a little disrespectful. 103.83 Km. 2. However, we felt it was simplest to stay at the Best Western across the street, since we only wanted to get a few hours of sleep anyway.). 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. Royal Platinum members get access to exclusive benefits, opportunities, and events, along with a personal touch from our founder. Wed fly through the air, crash into the ocean with a loud bang, get splashed all over by the water, before doing it all again and again as we inched our way towards the promised land in the distance. 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. From there, it was time for the real adventure: the last 4 km stretch of open ocean to reach Calala 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). Yes, the "economics" of this place raise a lot questions (best left unasked and likely not answered). Guests step directly onto the powder-soft sand from their private decks to enjoy spectacular panoramic Indian Ocean sunsets extending to the far contours of mainland Madagascar. Trip report for Calala Island. Location. THANKS, LUCKY [AND FORD!] Its time to review my recent stay at Calala Island, though I first want to write a separate installment about getting to Calala Island. Why Cant They Have A More Luxurious Transfer? During pre-COVID times, La Costea also offered a second daily service on the ManaguaBluefields route closer to midday, meaning that Calala Island guests could choose from two times for both their departure and return journeys. 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. The nearest international airport is Managua. 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). 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. 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. The 90-minute speedboat journey from Bluefields is very much unlike anything else youll encounter in other parts of the world. Unlike virtually everything else on the island, spa treatments are not complimentary, and are bookable at an additional expense. But heck, it's the caribbean, the water is warm. While breakfast and lunch were always delicious, its the dinner service where Calala Islands incredible culinary team and service staff truly shine.
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