I recently got back from celebrating my husband's birthday at Calala Island – a Hilton property in Nicaragua we booked with points – and I can't stop thinking about how it was one of the most unique travel experiences we’ll ever have.
Calala Island is one of the most sought-after and hardest-to-book properties in Hilton’s massive portfolio: It's not a hotel, but an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean … on its own private island!
However, this is a trip for a very specific kind of traveler: adventurous enough for the journey, but happy to do nearly nothing once you arrive. If you need constant activity, reliable air conditioning, or resort-style attentive service, this one probably isn't for you.
So what's this one of a kind property really like? And was it worth the cost? Keep reading for my full review.
How I Booked It
Calala Island is part of Hilton’s Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), a collection of hundreds of boutique hotels and resorts scattered around the globe. With SLH joining forces with Hilton back in 2024, it's now possible to book these one-of-a-kind properties with Hilton Honors points … if there's award availability. And on a semi-private island like this, that can often be a pretty big if.
Standard rooms (Junior Suites) here go for 240,000 Hilton points a night – which is kind of outrageous – and you'll need to book a minimum of three nights when using points. Unfortunately, this property has been hit by multiple devaluations over the past few years. Case in point: Just last September, it was bookable for 200,000 points per night.
In our case, we had a pair of Hilton free night rewards to burn, thanks to the *Hilton Aspire* – a card we consider to be the best hotel card, period. As long as there is standard room award availability, you can use these free night certificates to book a stay at nearly any Hilton property across the globe … even when the cash price is an ungodly $4,300-plus per night.
Add it all up, and our four-night stay cost us two free night certificates and 480,000 points in total. Compared to the cash cost of more than $17,000 for that same stay, it felt like a steal … and more importantly, made staying here possible in the first place.
We also caught Calala's 10th-anniversary promo (now expired), which gave guests $2,510 back for stays of four nights or more (even when redeeming points). That money hit our bank account just a few days after we returned and more than covered the cost of our flights and other travel expenses, making this redemption even sweeter.
A Wild Ride To and From the Resort
Getting to the resort is half the trip in and of itself. The check-in process involves an overnight in Managua, a puddle jumper to Bluefields, a taxi ride through an extremely remote area of the country, and a 1.5-hour boat ride through mangroves and then the open ocean, with a brief stop in an even more remote spot for lunch. I'd watched enough reviews to work myself into a panic before we ever left home … but I'm happy to report that it was smoother than I feared. (Your mileage may vary with the weather.)
Be prepared to arrive in Managua the day before, since the trek to the resort starts at 6 a.m. on your check-in day. We stayed at the Best Western Las Mercedes Airport, a basic but suitable property for a night. It was a less than 5-minute walk from the airport and had a pool, restaurant, and abundant outdoor seating.
We booked it for less than $100 per night through the Chase Travel℠ portal and used the now $100 annual hotel credit (this was a $50 credit when we stayed) on our *chase sapphire preferred* to cover the cost.
The Calala Island check-in process actually begins the night before with a 45-minute call from Claudia, one of the property’s General Managers. They explain how to get to the island. The conversation was helpful, but overly thorough and unnecessarily lengthy.
While in Managua, you can also coordinate a tour through your Calala Island contact – we opted not to, but wish we had.
On the day of arrival, you’ll need to be back at the airport at 6 a.m., ready to go. A Calala Island representative will help you get through the private airport service. This is where the fun really begins. You’ll get on a small, older prop plane for a quick flight to Bluefields, a tiny airport on the eastern coast of Nicaragua. There are a few plane options, either a 12-seater or one that fits about 40 people. You will find out that morning if you have a direct flight to Bluefields or need to make an extra stop, which adds a minimal amount of time to the trip.
Once in Bluefields, another Calala Island rep will take you via taxi to the port. It’s a pretty unique experience in itself to see a town like this that otherwise gets little to no tourists.
On the boat, goggles are a must due to how fast it goes and to protect your eyes from splashing water. It has an open top and bench seating. There’s a 50-minute ride through the mangroves before stopping in Pearl Lagoon for a quick brunch while the crew loads supplies. Keep your eyes out for wildlife along the way!
Once back on the water, you’ll stop at a military checkpoint before continuing on into the open ocean. The overall trip was easier than expected, albeit not the most comfortable. The experience varies significantly depending on the weather, but they provide full rain gear and we lucked out with (mostly) clear skies.
Please enjoy this awful photo of us that really captures the boat vibe (peep the captain, too)!
As the boat closed in on the island, we were greeted by the entire staff and a few musicians playing a welcome song. We were the only guests arriving that day, and while it was nicely done, it honestly felt a little uncomfortable knowing that all of this fanfare was just for us.
When we stepped off the boat, we were greeted with a lei and fresh coconut water. Claudia was there waiting for us and took us on an hour-long orientation of the island. Parts were helpful, but it got to be a bit long after the several-hour trek to get there. At this point, we were just ready to get settled in.
Heading back to Managua was the same experience … just the opposite of our arrival. Since the boat departs at 5 a.m., you’ll check out of the hotel during cocktail hour the evening before you leave. This is when you'll settle your bill, manage your tips, and get your last chance to grab a souvenir before boarding. We would've preferred to spend that time just enjoying the evening with other guests, but logistically it makes sense.
On departure day, plan your flight home for mid-afternoon at the earliest, since you may not reach the Managua airport until after noon.
Around the Resort
Once you get to the island, it’s time to slow down … like way down. We’re normally more on-the-go travelers, but being on a small island with nothing to do was a nice change of pace.
The island itself is only a few acres, and you can walk or kayak around the entire thing in just a few minutes. Due to the size and number of guests (12 or fewer), you may feel limited on what you can do.
Many people spend their days around the pool and the swim-up bar since the cabanas tend to get hot without air conditioning. And honestly, there are far worse places to kill your time than this …
In general, this is an early to bed, early to rise sort of place – which, honestly, was my jam! The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping around 6 a.m.
Most guests retired to their cabanas quite early in the evening since the island is completely dark by about 6 p.m. These early sunsets made walking to dinner with a flashlight a must. Honestly, two flashlights would’ve been better to see the unlit pathway and help dodge crabs along the way.
The Cabana
The cabanas are what I'd imagine glamping (glamorous camping) to be like. There are 6 cabanas on the property: 5 standard rooms and 1 suite.
We stayed in a standard room for our first night and were upgraded to a suite for the remainder of the visit. The standard cabanas are lined up along the south side of the island. However, each cabana has a private trail to it and is secluded by trees and bamboo fencing.
The standard cabanas are on the side of the island without much wind, while the suite is on the opposite side and quite windy.
Each room features floor-to-ceiling glass windows and its own covered hammock, dining table, lounge chairs, and beanbag chairs, so you can enjoy your view however you choose.
Speaking of the view, every cabana is just a few feet from the water's edge with stunning views of the open ocean right from bed – and, in some cases, the nearby islands, too.
The cabanas were extremely clean, but not completely sealed. While we didn’t have an issue, we heard from other guests who had bugs, geckos, and even a sloth (whose entryway has since been closed off) in their rooms. We were also encouraged not to keep food in our room for this reason and were given a small box to store any food.
Worth noting: There is no air conditioning, so the provided fans are a necessity. I slept pretty comfortably, but several other guests had challenges with the heat. All rooms also had bathrobes, slippers, beach towels, and a beach bag. They even provide their own bug spray mix, which was a necessity to help keep the no-see-ums at bay.
Standard rooms were decently spacious with a small bench between the bedroom and bathroom.
Meanwhile, the suite we stayed in had its own indoor seating area with a small loveseat and coffee table. In both rooms, the king-sized beds were comfortable – but I found the sheets a little rough.
Standard rooms have a decent-sized outdoor shower, while the suite has an outdoor shower, tub, and plenty of open space.
The bathrooms were similar in both room types, with a separate closed-off toilet and double vanity.
One quick note about connectivity: There is WiFi available on the island, but it's far from seamless. You'll need to connect separately for your cabana, the pool, and the dining area. We never even turned on our cell service – which honestly felt like part of the experience – so I can't tell you what service is like way out there.
Activities
Calala Island offers a variety of activities, most of which can be easily checked off … even during a short stay.
Snorkeling was available at any time, but there was little to see. Much of the area is very shallow and covered in seagrass, making it difficult to navigate. There are also sea urchins and stingrays to look out for, so yeah …
Fitness opportunities are limited on the island. There is no gym, but they offer a few weights on the beach and some yoga mats in the cabanas. That said, with the early morning sun and heat, we never saw anyone using them.
Kayaking was probably the best fitness activity and a great way to see the entire island from a different perspective. Paddleboards were also available, but the waves and shallow water made them challenging to use.
During our stay, I opted for a 90-minute massage (one of the few paid activities) that was honestly average at best. While the added relaxation was nice, I wouldn't recommend it. On a remote island like this, staff members wear a lot of hats, and my massage therapist turned out to be our cooking class instructor the next day!
The cooking class was very quick and more of a demonstration than a tutorial. It was less than 30 minutes in total and began with one of the chefs preparing rondon, a local stew. Next, they showed us how to make a pastelita (a sort of Caribbean gyoza) – and then we each made one ourselves. We were served those items with our lunch and ended up with entirely too much food, so plan accordingly.
Fishing (another activity) was done by hand, which is a pretty unique experience if you haven’t fished without a rod before. The line was on a spool that you let out by hand, and once a fish bit, you just pulled it in. When in a good spot, fish were biting very quickly, and it was exciting. Some members of the staff joined in, and it seemed a good time for them to get out for a bit of fun as well. The fish were not very large, but some were good enough to keep and were used for meals.
One evening, we went stargazing with some of the other guests. You could do the same from your cabana, if you prefer, but we enjoyed the discussion with others. The staff set up some bean bags near the pool and turned off all the lights. With the remoteness of the island, it was the clearest sky I’ve ever seen, perfect for watching shooting stars and lightning bugs.
One day for lunch, we had a special island picnic at the beach in front of our cabana. Anyone can request this, but they made it extra special since it was my husband’s birthday. They set up a blanket, an arch made from a palm frond, and a delicious lunch spread with champagne, cheeses, our lunch order for the day, and a visit from the island’s musicians.
Once per stay, Calala Island offers rum tasting with nine different rums to sample – this is a must try! There are some unique ones, basic ones you’ll have at the bar, and even a special 27-year-old that is only available to the owners of the island.
Even if you aren’t a big drinker, it is a good time to spend getting to know more about Nicaraguan culture (to a degree), some of the staff, and the other guests.
Other activities we did not participate in included island hopping, which sounded like a boat ride that let you get near, but not on, the islands. There was also a village tour of Pearl Lagoon, the small village you stop at on the way. This would have been a cool experience if we had stayed longer, but it would have taken up a decent portion of the day, and we decided to pass.
Each year, Calala Island is the host of dozens of sea turtles who come ashore to lay their eggs. In May and June, they build nests, and in August, the turtles hatch and make off for the sea. Someone watches at night to see if any turtles come ashore, and if so, they’ll mark nearby trees to note where the nests are. If requested, they’ll ring a bell at your cabana to notify you if any turtles are active so you can wake up and go observe.
We were bummed to have missed turtle season, so it's worth timing your trip around August if that's on your bucket list.
Dining, Drinks & Service
Breakfast
Every morning, one of our favorite members of the Calala Island team, Cito, could be heard whistling as he set out our pre-ordered coffee, tea, and biscuits at the expected time. It was honestly one of the best parts of the stay, and the hibiscus tea was incredible!
Breakfast is flexible and includes a mix of local dishes and more Americanized options, all of which we enjoyed. The fruit platter included the best mango I’ve ever tasted.
Lunch & Snacks
You need to pre-order your lunch menu and set a dining time each morning. Lunch is the only meal served at a small dining area near the pool.
I opted for the ceviche or fish tacos most days, but they had a handful of appetizers, salads, pizzas, and main dishes to choose from.
Unfortunately, they were out of lobster for two days during our stay, which limited our lunch choices. You can also order pizza until midday, but we were never hungry enough to try it.
A few times, we snacked on some coconut chips they make on the island. They are a great mixture of sweet, salty, and a hint of smoke, so be sure to try them! While we didn’t feel the need to snack much, it seemed like they were accommodating if you wanted something in particular.
Dinner and Cocktail Hour
Before dinner, they have a cocktail hour where guests can mingle and meet the property managers. My husband said it felt like a reality show where everyone gets dressed up for a social hour and sometimes people don’t return the next morning (not because they got voted out or anything, of course!).
Cocktail hour and dinner are scheduled each night, with all guests dining from a set menu. Dinner is usually served on the beach with just your party, unless there is bad weather or you request otherwise.
While they accommodated dietary restrictions and major preferences as needed, they asked for food likes and dislikes in advance, but didn’t seem to cater to them. The dinner menu is relatively stable week-to-week, so what you get mostly depends on the days you’re there. The night we arrived featured a seven-course tasting menu and wine pairing to celebrate one of the couple's engagements. Every course was delicious, and we were even gifted a box of cigars to take home.
We also got lucky with the surf and turf night, which was a treat.
The other dinners on the nights we were there included BBQ and a local tropical menu – both of which were solid, but less memorable. The bar stays open as long as guests are out – which likely varies based on guest makeup – but there wasn't much after-dinner activity during our stay.
Drinks
One of the things I miss most since arriving home is being able to get fresh coconut water whenever I want. Definitely take advantage of that to stay hydrated throughout the day. They also had a variety of juice and soda options to choose from.
As for alcohol, they offered a menu of about 20 pre-selected cocktails, and a handful of beer and wine options. They also had a decently well-stocked bar and were willing to make what you wanted if they had the ingredients and a recipe.
To celebrate the hotel's 10th anniversary, there was a special drink with Brut, Calala passionfruit, Cointreau, and edible gold that was worth trying at dinner one night. There are also a variety of premium wines and champagne options available for purchase.
My personal favorite drink was the Piña Calala with coconut rum, fresh coconut, pineapple, and topped with Calala passionfruit. My husband was a big fan of the Flor de Cana Coconut on ice, which another guest recommended.
Service
For such a remote island, the service here is great … but a bit unique. Most of the staff are hired from eastern Nicaragua, and everyone we interacted with was kind and caring. If you’ve been to other all-inclusive resorts, your expectations may need to be adjusted, though.
Service was much more reactive than we expected – you’ll typically need to ask for something rather than being proactively checked on. There are WhatsApp groups to reach the service team, so if you need anything, you can simply message them, and they’ll show up shortly. We found walking to the pool bar was a great way to get out of the sun for a few minutes, reapply sunscreen, and chat with the service team while ordering your next meal or drink.
The non-service team members were all wonderful as well. The grounds crew did a fantastic job of keeping everything orderly and beautiful. During meals, the cleaning crew would stop by the room to spruce it up or provide turndown service – very quick, but to an excellent standard. They also left a small gift on our bed each night (treats, a tote bag, coconut oil, and a turtle magnet), which was a lovely touch.
Tipping
Tipping works a little differently here than most all-inclusives. Skip the cash. The resort asks that you don't tip individuals; instead, you add a tip at checkout via card, and it's split evenly among all staff. A few guests during our stay had questions about how that distribution actually works, so it's worth asking if that matters to you.
Bottom Line
Calala Island isn't for everyone … and that's kind of the point. If you're willing to embrace the journey, disconnect completely, and slow down, it delivers something most resorts can't: a place that genuinely feels like nowhere else on Earth.
I'll never forget the people we met, laughing with Tom during the wild check-in process, and seeing a part of the world that so few travelers ever get to experience. The price is steep – no matter if you're using cash or points – but paired with free night certificates, it's the kind of trip that actually becomes possible.
Some trips you take once, and that's exactly enough – this was that kind of trip for us.
