CALALA ISLAND, NICARAGUA

Calala Island offers its guests a little piece of paradise in Nicaragua. You can spend your days here swimming in warm, azure waters, or snorkelling with shoals of colourful fish. You can paddle across to Little Calala Island for a picnic, or spend the day fishing. Or perhaps you’d prefer to do nothing but relax on powdery soft sands – or doze in a hammock – listening to the soft crash of the waves.

The beachfront suites, designed by celebrated architect Matthew Falkiner, make use of beautiful handcrafted furniture and stand as one with their tropical surroundings. With only four suites you’ll share the delights of the island with few others, but if you’re looking for total privacy, there’s also the option to book out the entire island.

There are two ways to get to Calala Island; directly by helicopter or by taking a short flight from Managua to Bluefield’s, before boarding a traditional Nicaraguan boat that will take you through lush mangroves to the island’s dock.