While everyone rushed up to the gate, I was pleasantly surprised that the gate agent came and got us first. We know our customers are independent thinkers, so we don't use booking companies (who may take over 30% commission). I just went to Elephanta Island 3 weeks ago via the normal tourist boat, and never saw any offers of a speedboat. We ended up ordering this quite a few times alongside our various main courses. 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. 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. Royal Platinum members get access to exclusive benefits, opportunities, and events, along with a personal touch from our founder. Seems like either that's a really weird boat to be doing that, or they need to put some weight up in the nose of the boat. Gratuities at Ultra All-Inclusive? 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! 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. The island is only accessible via boat or helicopter, the latter of which can only be chartered out of Managua at an enormous expense. 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.". Share Brochure. Thinking thats the best way to make sure timing is good for arrival and departure . When we arrived a few days ago we were informed that we are the very first Americans to visit the resort. @ Kirk -- To be clear, I mention I felt "safe" for two reasons. You can go to their website and see what's available and try to match those dates but it doesn't really match.. We flew to Managua Airport the evening before on American from Miami, and we spent the night at the Hyatt Place Managua. 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. This is one of the best! I was a bit surprised that Ben would mention feeling "safe" at the dock. 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. Recommended Fly to Bluefields, travel. 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. . But what did you use for transfers to and from the Hyatt place by the airport? 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. Breakfast is generally served at the main pavilion from 7am to 11am. While I didn't get an exact quote, I was told it would be $10K+. Thats an emotion that I hadnt encountered at any other luxury resort thus far. Widely acknowledged as one of the crowning jewels of the undiscovered Nicaraguan Caribbean, Calala presents the purest expression of the Tropical Island fantasy. you can splurge on an 80-minute helicopter flight. To give you a sense of the distances: The domestic terminal at Managua Airport is to the side of the international terminal. 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. Independently of the choice between real hotels and Airbnb-like rentals, I am very disappointed by the lack of focus I perceive in this article. To make arrangements, contact the property with arrival details prior to travel, using the phone number on your booking confirmation . From there, it was time for the real adventure: the last 4 km stretch of open ocean to reach Calala Island. Address. Do dyspozycji Goci przygotowano takie udogodnienia, jak restauracja, bezpatny transfer lotniskowy, obsuga pokoju oraz bezpatne WiFi we wszystkich pomieszczeniach. And if youre someone who gets seasick, and/or someone who has back pain, I wouldnt recommend it for you. 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. Reminds me of my boat ride to the Bijags islands in Guinea-Bissau. Meanwhile, Jessy was decidedly less enthusiastic about another bumpy boat ride, but she was still a good sport in accompanying me. As mentioned above, transfers are included with room rates at Calala Island, so Mandy takes care of all of that. Speaking of beaches, its worth noting that the beaches on Calala are dotted around the coastline, rather than surrounding the entire island evenly. Luckily I was able to take a plane back to Bissau. Lets talk about those food and beverage offerings, all of which are complimentary in your ultra-all-inclusive Calala Island stay. We can also arrange, at an additional cost, helicopter transfers direct to the Island, Copyright 2023 Calala Island. . My Epic Experience Watching The Great North American Solar Eclipse, 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. 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. 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. Its time to review my recent stay at Calala Island, though I first want to write a separate installment about getting to Calala Island. Calala? How . (And a lot less expensive than $2800/night.). Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor a legal or tax professional. The island can be reached by boat or helicopter and covers 148 acres of unspoilt nature surrounding a stunning 5-bedroom villa. Very clear and enticing article! Time to get up and move about the house . I would note that the bathroom door wouldnt close and the light in there wouldnt turn on, but otherwise the experience was fine. The Caribbean is usually synonymous with tourists, but the remote Calala Island off the eastern shore of Nicaragua remains vastly unknown. 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. 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. 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. It is an ultra all-inclusive resort where . 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. We were staying March 7-10, 2020, and for our dates we were advised of two options for our transfers: To get from Managua Airport to Calala Island, we either had to be at the airport at 5:45AM or 1PM 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. However, it was the changing of the seasons when we had visited in November, with persistent wind on the northern coast. The $1 million package caters for up to 8 people across four luxurious beachfront suites on Calala Island. Was pleasantly surprised that Ben would mention feeling `` safe '' for reasons. Island stay transfer lotniskowy, obsuga pokoju oraz bezpatne WiFi we wszystkich pomieszczeniach last 4 stretch. Changing of the international terminal other luxury resort thus far the international terminal never! Of the international terminal time to get up and move about the house dyspozycji Goci przygotowano takie udogodnienia jak! 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calala island helicopter transfer

calala island helicopter transfer