"We had an amazing holiday experience with Claudia, Leon and the whole team at Calala. From the moment you are met at the airport and transported by flight and boat the care and attention of the team is first class. The transportation to / from the island was part of the adventure and was a wonderful experience. The hospitality and food / drinks that the team provided was memorable and they all created so many happy memories that will last with us forever. Nothing was ever a problem and even the bugs were not a major issue as the their was repellent provided everywhere you went. The team made themselves available everyday to take us out on their boat everyday for fishing / trips that were fantastic and they were great company. We managed to see baby turtles that had hatched and it was a truly magical experience and we would recommend this once in a lifetime trip to anyone thinking about it."

"A private island with only 6 cabins and 25 staff to take care of us ... an impossibly expensive dream, right? NOPE! A year ago, a cousin sent us a travel hack. Booking a "Small Luxury Hotel" using Hilton points. And that's how we ended up getting to stay on Calala Island off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. A $22k stay for 600,000 points for 5 nights! To get here, we flew to Managua on the west side of Nicaragua. Then the island supplied a 12 passenger plane to get us to Blue Fields on the east coast of Nicaragua (an hour flight early in the morning). Then we boarded a speedboat that took us down the river with a stop after 50 minutes at Pearl Lagoon for a snack and then 30 minutes across the sea to our island paradise. (The small plane ride and boat ride are included with your stay!) We were greeted with staff singing while playing guitars. And given a necklace made from leaves and fresh coconut water IN the coconut! The journey here was a adventure all in itself. So so much fun!!! Calala Island is so incredible. Our first night they did rum tasting with us. This morning we saw a sloth and several sting rays. In the afternoon, my wife went around the island on a stand up paddle board. Calala Island off the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua has a total of 6 cabanas. All of the cabanas face the sea. One of the rules is that guests are not allowed on the beach area in front of the other guest's cabanas. So everyone has their own private area. There's no a/c on the island, but the cabanas allow good airflow plus there are multiple fans. We were a little worried but we didn’t get hot. There's an outside shower with great privacy. They bring ice in a yeti and bottled water. They brought us a tiny fridge for a medication that needs to be refrigerated. We were provided with a beach bag, sunscreen, bug repellent and more! Every morning coffee and mimosas were delivered and left out on our porch table. We got to pick our coffee bean after dinner for our next morning coffee. Every evening a gift was left for us with our turn down service. For turn down service, they also closed all of the curtains to give us privacy. And surprisingly that didn't make it hot inside. The service was incredible. This place was like a fantasy come to life. Last thing about Calala Island we need to tell everyone about was the incredible food. Breakfast was from 7:30-10:30am at the same location as dinner. There were great options to choose from. You could also request breakfast to be delivered to your cabana. Along with the coffee that was delivered every morning. Lunch was in an area near the infinity pool. There were many choices on the menu or you could order a wood fired pizza. If there was something you wanted that wasn't on the menu, you could request it and they would try if they had the ingredients. Dinner was a different set menu every night. We didn't know what it would be until we arrived for pre-dinner cocktails. Everything was excellent. Before we got to the island, we were asked to email our likes and dislikes. The staff was phenomenal about keeping all of those things in mind and adjusting the set menu accordingly. We also saw an adjusted menu for our cousins who are vegan. Top notch!! (Be sure to notice the special notations on our personalized menus)"

"Getting there isn’t easy—you must overnight in Managua, then take a domestic flight, taxi, and boat through Bluefields. It’s not luxury travel to get there; you’ll pass through a poor local town with basic transport. But every step is organized by Calala’s staff, and I always felt safe. Claudia, the general manager, is outstanding—her attention to detail and care are world-class. The WhatsApp briefing was long, but I understand she wants guests prepared. Once on the island, the staff are impeccable: they remember your name, anticipate needs, and accommodate special diets with delicious meals (even gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options). We stayed in Casita #1 the first night—beautiful but hot, even with multiple fans. Claudia moved us to Casita #6 on the breezier side, which was far more comfortable. There is no air conditioning, so be prepared for heat. The casitas are open-air, so you will encounter bugs (including no-see-ums and the occasional palmetto bug), but there are no dangerous animals. Bug spray helps, and mosquito nets are more decorative than functional. Transportation is rustic, and garbage bags are used to protect luggage (not very eco-friendly, I’d suggest more sustainable options). Hot water is limited but sufficient for the tropics. The island itself is magical—ocean steps from your door, barefoot living, amazing staff, and unforgettable experiences. Activities are plentiful and easy to arrange. We were lucky enough to see critically endangered hawksbill turtles hatch, which was a once-in-a-lifetime highlight. This isn’t the Ritz—it’s a tiny remote island—but it’s truly 5-star in service and heart. If you manage your expectations and embrace the adventure, it could be one of your best trips ever. My only regret: staying only 3 nights instead of 5."

"Calala Island in Nicaragua feels like discovering a hidden paradise. From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by beautiful scenery and welcomed with genuine warmth from the staff. Every detail of the service reflected care and the team went out of their way to make our stay memorable. The food was another highlight. It was fresh, vibrant and crafted with such creativity that every meal felt special. Whether it was a relaxed lunch by the beach or a candlelit dinner under the stars, the dishes consistently impressed us. A particularly unforgettable experience was witnessing the hatching of a Hawksbill turtle nest. This is something so rare that it felt like a real once-in-a-lifetime moment. We also had the joy of spotting a sloth in its natural surroundings which was another treat. The island itself is the perfect balance of peace and adventure. Its natural beauty makes it easy to relax, while the opportunities for exploration kept every day full and exciting. Calala Island is a treasure and we recommend it to anyone searching for an extraordinary getaway."

"Exceptional experience!!! The GMs and staff were just second to none. Super attentive without ever seeming to be there somehow. We called them Service Ninjas. The island is remote and perfect for someone wanting to get off the grid but still have an all inclusive experience. Getting there is for people that like more adventure in their travel, and it is well worth it. Then transfer through Managua is managed at each step by the staff and was fantastic. Food was delicious with plenty of options for the stay. We would highly recommend this experience!"