Calala Island

We’ve left the Island today and I’ve got to admit we’re both very sad to do so, we’ve been lucky enough to travel and visit many Island breaks but nothing quite gives you the Rustic feeling as CALALA does, its an amazing beautiful Island and very unspoilt. There’s a maximum of 6 Cabanas so 12 guests but we never shared our Island with anymore than 4 other people the whole time we were there. There are activities to do if you choose but we only went line fishing and used the Spa as we just decided we wanted to sit back and chill, the therapist Jackie is incredible and worth the visit for sure. The food was great from breakfast, lunch and dinner which is a set menu but we didn’t have a bad meal once. The staff can’t do enough for you and are very friendly and very professional. Claudia & Leon the hosts are so welcoming and you can see all the hard work they’ve put in to make this experience a vacation you will never forget. If you want to switch off and relax this is the place for you, the atmosphere is so relaxing and very grounding. Kick off your shoes and indulge yourself in this paradise. I couldn’t recommend it enough, something my wife and I will never forget ❤️ Thank you CALALA Island ️

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.

Everything you imagine being on a private island and more. What an amazing experience we had with Leon and the staff who went above and beyond our needs on the island. There were plenty of stuff to keep us occupied when we were not chilling by the pool or beach, activities include, line fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and also there are games aswell on the island such as boules and bat and ball games too these you can do at anytime of the day. Evening's were also a spectacle, every night was different and the little activities such as rum tasting and crab racing were a great bonus too. 5 STAR experience and would definitely recommend to stay here. Once again thank you Leon and staff for making our stay which was also our honeymoon a great experience!

Beautiful Island but this was not five star luxury. The island is in need of maintenance. The staff were all wonderful, the food good but not outstanding. The room was beautiful, spacious and comfortable. The boat trip to get to the island was absolutely terrifying as the sea was extremely rough, our experience was not a good one and I feared for our safety. Luckily our return trip was a lot smoother. It was certainly an adventure. Please be aware there really is absolutely nothing to do on the island other than relax by the pool. Most of the activities on the dated activity list are not available. The sloths were nowhere to be seen. We met some wonderful people on the Island and it was an experience I will forever be grateful for.

Calala Island SLH is an incredibly unique destination and experience! The island is beautifully pristine, with endless views, dramatic sunrise and sunsets. Perfect for a romantic getaway or special celebration. The Guesthouse accommodation is luxe and well appointed in every way. The staff is friendly, attentive and helpful - can’t rave enough over them! Claudia’s passion for maintaining very high standards and her organization of all details is evident and greatly appreciated. The cuisine is world class and delicious, using locally sourced ingredients. Don’t miss the Rondon! We celebrated a wedding anniversary and birthday during our stay. Claudia, Leon and staff pulled out all the stops to make both celebrations special and memorable - we were touched and thankful for their efforts! This relaxing resort didn’t disappoint and we’re checking our travel schedule to try to book again! Highly recommend! Do note and don’t let this stop you visiting: Guesthouses have no AC and it is a delightful trek from Managua to Calala Island.

Our private island experience on Calala Island was spectacular. Getting to the island was an adventure and the handoffs from plane to taxi to speedboat went smoothly. We started at 6am in the morning and arrived around 10am. Claudia shares all the details and answers any questions by phone the night before. Claudia and Leon were the most gracious hosts and the service team were always willing to go the extra mile whether it's to make a special cocktail, or turn your freshly caught fish into the catch of the day lunch, or take you island hopping to see the ruins on the islands of "shattered dreams". Time slows down and you'll quickly learn the meaning of island time. Bring your favorite book and be prepared to relax. WiFi was surprisingly good. You can spend your time alone or chat up other couples during lunch or cocktail hour. Everyone was very friendly with most couples either from US or UK. I will miss the morning coffee in bed while looking out at the blue sea and the gorgeous sunsets at the end of every day. Thanks for an incredible time in paradise!