Hero Retreats Logo

Learn  Jiu-Jitsu in Costa Rica with Joe Scarola

5 Day Seminar Mar 18-22, 2026
Tamarindo, Costa Rica

New Landing Page | Hero Academy

Join us for an unforgettable BJJ experience in Costa Rica

Where elite training, adventure, and community come together for the trip of a lifetime.

What's Included Component

What's Included

5 days / 4 nights private ocean-view room
Daily prepared breakfast
Small group training
Welcome dinner included
Full concierge service
Give back to the local community
Optional organized activities
Bring a companion and make it a vacation
Daily laundry service for training gear

See What Past Attendees Are Saying

bjj student in costa rica

Reba Ann

3 Stripe 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 on 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'

HBJJ Coach Profile - Joe Scarola
Joe Scarola
Guest Instructor

Joe Scarola

3rd Degree Black Belt

Professor Joe Scarola was the first student to receive a Black Belt from Matt Serra and is a 3rd Degree Black Belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. He owns and operates the highly successful Gracie Barra Long Island.

Matt Serra's 1st Black Belt
3rd Degree under Carlos Gracie Jr
Gracie Barra School Owner
MMA & Grappling Champion

Credentials & Lineage

Renzo Gracie Lineage Head Instructor & Owner 20+ Years Experience
Read full bio

Professor Joe 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 was Matt Serra, and in 2005, Professor Joe was promoted to black belt by Renzo Gracie and Matt Serra—becoming the very 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, he received his 3rd degree black belt from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. He has competed and won many Grappling, Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA competitions.

Professor now uses that experience to pass knowledge on to all of his students. He has owned and operated the highly successful Gracie Barra Long Island school in NY for about 10 years and is currently building his second location in the Jupiter, Florida area, specializing in men, women, and children.

Schedule Component

Tentative Schedule

Wednesday
2:00 PM Check in at your hotel
4:00 PM Sunset on the Beach at El Be Restaurant
6:00 - 8:00 PM Meet and Greet at Hero Academy. First No Gi Session
Thursday
8:00 AM Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
9:00 - 11:00 AM Gi Session at Hero Academy
12:00 PM Optional Lunch - Falafel Bar
7:30 PM Optional welcome dinner fireshow and live music
Friday
8:00 AM Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
9:00 - 10:00 AM Optional meet the HeroKids and help us coach
12:00 PM Lunch Suggestion - Green Papaya
1:00 PM Optional Activity - Surf Lesson with Nacho
4:30 - 6:00 PM Outdoor mountaintop Gi session
7:30 PM Dinner suggestion - Dragonfly
Saturday
8:00 AM Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
8:30 - 10:30 AM Final No Gi session at Hero
11:30 PM Adventure Day Waterfall hike
Sunday
8:00 AM Breakfast poolside with your fellow retreat goers
9:00 - 10:00 AM No Gi open mat
12:00 PM Check out of hotel and catch your shuttle
HBJJ Hotel Partner
🏨 Hotel Partner

Wyndham Tamarindo

A boutique, ocean-view retreat overlooking Tamarindo Bay—designed for comfort, recovery, and effortless adventure between training sessions.

Perched above one of Costa Rica’s most vibrant beach towns, Wyndham Tamarindo blends natural beauty with modern luxury. You’re minutes from the gym, the beach, restaurants, and some of Guanacaste’s most iconic surf breaks—while still enjoying a peaceful, elevated escape.

🌅 Ocean views 🏊 Infinity pool 🍳 Free breakfast 🍽️ Restaurant & bar 📶 Free Wi-Fi ⚡ EV charging
  • Shuttle service every 60 minutes to the beach and Tamarindo town
  • Exclusive access to Langosta Beach Club dining & events
  • Minutes from Tamarindo Airport (TNO), short drive from Liberia (LIR)
  • Easy excursions: surf beaches, rainforests, zip-lining, volcanoes
  • Complimentary transfers to select local attractions
Want to extend your stay? Add extra nights at reduced rates or explore Playa Conchal, Avellana, and Flamingo. Our team will help coordinate everything.
Register Now

Early Bird Pricing ends in

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to save up to $150 dollars on your first retreat?

Special offer for first time customers. Fill out this form for your code.