Sounds a little disrespectful. I just went to Elephanta Island 3 weeks ago via the normal tourist boat, and never saw any offers of a speedboat. 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. Given the logistics of travelling to and from the island, the resort imposes a three-night minimum stay. There are no freebie luxury resorts worth that kind of transfer imo. Transfer to Calala Island As promised, Nestor met us at the domestic terminal exactly at 5:45 a.m. Barcelona Franca Railway Station. He showed us the domestic terminal at the airport, and then would meet us again the following morning at 5:30AM. This reminded me of the boat ride from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island on a speed boat. I guess this is the coastal entry point to Nicaragua, which is why this is there. Rather hilariously, the hotel staff offered to drive us in the airport shuttle, even though it was immediately back across the street. 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. 32.08 Km. But how relevant is it? Just to give you a sense of how time consuming the transfer process was, we left the Hyatt Place Managua at 5AM, and we only made it to the resort at around 11AM, so it took about six hours door-to-door. What happened in your situation? We were assigned Suite 2: Kakabila. Our boat captain expertly navigated through the windswept waves. Can't wait to read the review of the property! 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 . All rights reserved|. That took about 15 minutes. Time to get up and move about the house . For example, the island for the deserted island picnic was no longer deserted for the time being, as the Pearl Lagoon community had sent caretakers to each of their islands to keep watch and protect against piracy during these economically challenging times. Platinum members get access to a Discord chat server, participation on exclusive livestreams, and even better discounts and early access. Cape Fahn Hotel. Calala Island was turned into a luxury resort with just four rooms, with nightly rates of $2,800 per room. 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. Anyway, given our early-morning departure from Managua, I planned our inbound flight from San Salvador to arrive at 10:30pm. @Ben , Perpignan Railway Station. 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. 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. 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!). The experience is priced at $1 million US dollars for 7 nights and accommodates up to eight adults and two children. 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. 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. If youre looking for a getaway with a unique mix of daring adventure, exquisite gastronomy, cultural exploration, and rustic island charm all at a spectacular value using World of Hyatt points then Calala Island is your dreamland. 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. 2. The daily flight to Bluefields is actually designed to serve an additional community, Corn Islands, as well. My back is hurting just from watching the video. Calala/VeryFirstTo. Trip report for Calala Island. Calala Island, at a glance Luxury, private island resort with a beautiful Caribbean setting 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. This article is dated Apr 14, 2023. 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. 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. 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. While Calala Island is small and intimate at only 11 acres in size, it fully maximizes its area for guests enjoyment. Shorvin let us know to use the bathroom here if we needed to, as we wouldnt have many opportunities to do so on the journey ahead. Its fully enclosed with straw thatching, but exposed to the outdoors, and the water simply flows down into the sand below. Id also note that the timing of our visit in early November was less than ideal: March tends to be the best month to catch both the sunniest days and the hatching of the hawksbill turtles. 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. Meanwhile, the northern and southern coasts of the island are home to the centres of daily life on the island: the infinity pool with a swim-up bar on the northern side and the main pavilion and bar on the southern side. The second nights tasting menu read as follows: The highlight for me was the pork ribs with yuca, which were decadently marinated and presented in an ornate elevated dish. You have to fly to the nearest international airport in Managua (MGA). But at least that was in a bay and not nearly as long. . Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Then, since we won the crab race, we got to pick another spa treatment for free! LOL. To be perfectly clear, I felt totally safe, and didnt feel like it was dangerous at all. How Im Flying To & From Bhutan (I Think? 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. We had quite a wait, and then 30 minutes later we departed for Bluefields, again with a nearly full load. 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. Arriving into Calala Island is not for the faint-hearted. My wife and I just returned from Calala Island after a 5-night stay on points. We also took a few dips in the small beach immediately in front of our villa, too. Nearest train stations from Calella de Palafrugell. Most alcoholic beverages served in a variety of locations throughout the Island. Helicopter transfers are also possible. With open ocean views in front and palm forest behind, each one is completely private. Another private island hotel in Thailand, Cape Fahn is located just off the coast of Ko Samui, one of the country's most popular . 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. On the second day, we even got things started early with espresso martinis right after breakfast! 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. Cant wait for the review of the island. There were no other hotel guests on the boat, so it was just Shorvin, one of his colleagues, and the boat captain. This site is for information and entertainment purposes only. This makes getting to a secluded resort in the Maldives seem easy, by comparison. 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.). Immediately after booking, youll receive a welcome email from Mandy, the resorts reservations manager, who will correspond with you via email to arrange all the details prior to your arrival. On the outbound journey to Bluefields, we were in a 12-seater Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. Therefore, we continued to take lunch in or around the main pavilion, the same place where we had breakfast and dinner. . Reminds me of my boat ride to the Bijags islands in Guinea-Bissau. The domestic airline, La Costea, only sells same-day tickets to walk up passengers. The first step in getting to Calala Island is to fly with La Costea Airlines, which is Nicaraguas airline. Im not much of a spa guy, so Jessy went in for another round this time the Calala signature massage, which she found to be a perfectly revitalizing rainy-day activity, and a great way to soothe her nerves after island-hopping in the storm. Loved this, thank you. You get there in much the same way. 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! 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. Calala? It needs to be good as it is after I go to Antarctica and Galapagos. 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. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor a legal or tax professional. 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. 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. Calala Island is in Nicaragua. 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. A major highlight of the Junior Suite is the outdoor shower, which is just so much fun! Luckily I was able to take a plane back to Bissau. also I want Ford's hat, did he buy it in the village? Getting to Calala Island is a trek, and involves planes, cars, and a very rough boat ride. @ Will -- Yep, not even sure what that's supposed to mean All fine and well, but did the ATR have individual air nozzles? 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. @ Franklin -- I'll share more on my take on that in the upcoming installment, since virtually everyone working at the resort is from nearby villages. Im interested in seeing how yours compares to the recent review of this same property on TPG. Do you have to register for this promotion or you get the points automatically when you reserve? Obviously, this experience is catered to the 0.1 percent. The island is only accessible via boat or helicopter, the latter of which can only be chartered out of Managua at an enormous expense. Youve really got to earnthe wonderful private island experience that lies ahead! From there, it was time for the real adventure: the last 4 km stretch of open ocean to reach 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). There are two bars on the island: the pool bar on the northern side, and the main bar on the southern side. The breakfast menu reads as follows. 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. I ordered a pizza for one of our lunch sittings, more out of curiosity than anything, and it turned out pretty well. It was so bumpy I bruised my tailbone and had trouble sitting and laying down for many days afterwards. All rights reserved. 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. Mandy is also able to facilitate any date changes independently of your Hyatt reservation. 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. Yes, the "economics" of this place raise a lot questions (best left unasked and likely not answered). There are no freebie luxury resorts worth that kind of transfer imo. Theres not much else happening on this eastern half of the island, which makes the spa something of a sanctuary of its own. Calala Island offers guests a wide range of activities to fill their days on the island, all of which are complimentary. Service. The king-sized bed is covered with a net, although its not to keep mosquitoes out. We parked on the apron, and about two thirds of passengers got off. Features Exterior Lounger and Chair Pool Outdoor Location Beach Front See more about our ethics policies here. Heading out onto the front deck, then, lets take a look at the outdoor facilities that complete the Junior Suite. 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. The other villas mostly have a rocky seawall in front of them, so I had specifically requested Kakabila with its direct beach access. (If we had booked a hotel in the city of Managua, Nestor would arrange a licensed taxi to bring us to the hotel. The whole island operates as a luxury resort, accommodating a maximum of eight guests. Well, Im on a spiritual journey. I have, now that I've stayed at Calala Island. 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. Gold members get exclusive content, ad-free browsing, and entry-level discounts and early access to events and products. Points per night: . The crowd was a combination of Nicaraguans and American backpackers of all kinds. As mentioned above, transfers are included with room rates at Calala Island, so Mandy takes care of all of that. As longtime readers will know, Jessy and I are passionate purveyors of seafood. Breezy rooms are accented by white drapery and shell accessories that . Lets begin with a tour through the interior of the Junior Suite. 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. Welcome to Calala Island, a luxury, private Island resort nestled in an undiscovered part of the Caribbean, just off the coast of Nicaragua. Value. Cape Fahn Hotel Thailand. calala island helicopter transfer calala island helicopter transfer. 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. 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. 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). There was also a Saturday market there at this point, with the freshest meat imaginable (which was kind of tough to see as a former vegetarian) you could have a chicken killed right in front of you, and any part of a pig just cut off for you. Can't help you with the bad back other than suggesting you do your stretching exercises daily. It was truly a meal to remember. The full list of activities is as follows: Many of the activities are weather-dependent. Your experience sounds similar to what I heard before. Take the daily housekeeping for example: housekeeping is carried out twice per day, once in the mornings and once in the evenings. I can't imagine. Calala Islands spa is perched on its northeastern corner, accessible via paths and boardwalks from either the northern or southern coasts. Your stay will also include complimentary breakfast, use of an . @ 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. 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. 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. 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. While this isnt what youd necessarily expect from a luxury resort: Still, the process of getting from Managua to Calala Island isnt easy. The spa is located at the opposite northeastern corner. Two of the Junior Suites are made available for World of Hyatt members to book on points on any given night. I've always wanted to explore Bluefields. Read more Suggest edits to improve what we show. Omg! Get in touch. Theyre constructed with glass walls and thatched roofs, combining the rustic vibes of island life with plenty of modern touches throughout. Our flight was scheduled to depart at 6:30AM, and at 6:25AM boarding was called. 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. 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. My back is KILLING me after watching that video (and yes, I already have a bad back to begin with). 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. 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. One of the crew had to jump out and sort of guide the boat. 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. When I think about the best meals Ive had at nice hotels and resorts around the world, this surf and turf at Calala Island very much ranks up there and the fact that it was entirely included in the stay, drinks and all, simply adds to the gloss.
