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Joe Scarola

Costa Rica Retreat

5 Day Retreat March 18-22, 2026

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Proceeds benefitting The HeroKids Program

$1999 Early Bird Single occupancy King bed. Optional Add-on pricing on registration.

5 days/ 4 nights Private Accommodations

Optional organized activities

Bring a companion and make it a vacation

Daily laundry service for training gear

Daily prepared breakfast

Amazing weather

Custom Camp T-Shirt

Small group training

Full concierge service

Give back to the community

Beautiful beaches

Surfer

TAMARINDO

Spend the day lounging at the beach or pursuing the shops down the main drag. Tamarindo has something for everyone. Everything is just a short walk from your hotel.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Our hotel partner Wyndham Tamarindo  awaits your arrival. Beautiful ocean view rooms in a quiet and tranquil section of town near the gym. 

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HERO RETREATS

Hero Academy is a non-profit 501c3 that provides training to over 150 local kids free of charge in our beach town of Tamarindo. These retreats fund our non-profit program.

Meet Your Trainer

Joe Scarola
3rd Degree Black Belt
Professor started training in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when he was 18 years old. He has trained with and learned from many great instructors including Renzo Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Matt Serra, and Nick Serra. His Main instructor being Matt Serra. Professor Joe was promoted to black belt in 2005 by Renzo Gracie and Matt Serra(first black belt given by Matt)Professor Joe now continues training and learning from the great instructors of the Legendary Gracie Barra Team. In 2014 professor received his 3rd degree black belt from master Carlos Gracie Jr. He has competed and won many Grappling, Jiujitsu, and MMA competitions. Professor now uses that experience to pass knowledge on to all of his students. Professor Joe has owned and operated the highly successful Gracie Barra Long Island school which is in NY for about 10 years now. He is Currently building his second location in the  Jupiter Florida area specializing in men, women, and children.

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Train in Paradise

We handle everything for you. Once you arrive at the airport, you can watch your stress drift away. You can do as much or as little as you please. Daily planned activities and meals are all optional. Tamarindo is a tropical paradise and surf mecca. Make connections that last a lifetime and leave you dreaming about your next trip down.

  • World class surf destination
  • Beautiful beaches and weather
  • Zipline, Skydive, Rafting, Horseback Riding, Sailing and more

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Thursday

  • 2:00PM - Check in at your hotel
  • 4:00PM - Sunset on the Beach at El Be Restaurant
  • 6:00-8:00PM - Meet and Greet at Hero Academy. First No Gi Session

Friday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:00AM-11:00AM - Gi Session at Hero Academy
  • 12:00PM - Optional Lunch - Falafel Bar
  • 7:30PM - Optional welcome dinner fireshow and live music

Saturday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:00AM-10:00AM - Optional meet the HeroKids and help us coach
  • 12:00PM - Lunch Suggestion - Green Papaya
  • 1:00PM - Optional Activity - Surf Lesson with Nacho
  • 4:30PM-6:00PM - Outdoor mountaintop Gi session
  • 7:30PM - Dinner suggestion - Dragonfly

Sunday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 8:30-10:30AM - Final No Gi session at Hero
  • 11:30PM - Adventure Day Waterfall hike

Monday

  • 8:00AM - Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
  • 9:00-10:00AM - No Gi open mat
  • 12:00PM - Check out of hotel and catch your shuttle
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STAY

Our hotel partner Wydham is a highly rated property in the heart of town on a hill overlooking the ocean. Walk to the beach, gym, restaurants and all Tamarindo has to offer. Stay a few extra days at our reduced rates or hop in a car and visit the nearby rainforests and volcanos. Whatever your desire, we can help you make it happen.

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What Past Attendies Are Saying

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Reba Ann

3 Strip White Belt

'I've only been training for about a year but this retreat was perfect. Good mix of skill levels, great group of people and it was all just perfect'

Derek

Derek Bryan

Black Belt

'In my 10+ years of training, my trips to Hero Academy in Costa Rica are the highlights in this journey. Every trip I have had was incredible'

two men training

Gabe Meyer

Purple Belt

'I'd recommend this trip to anyone that does Jiu Jitsu. The instruction is always top notch. I go to about 5 seminars a year and Hero is the best'

Frequently Asked Questions

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