Muay Thai Retreat in Costa Rica: Twice-Daily Training at Jungle's Edge

Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts runs this camp out of Arlington, Virginia, and once a year takes it to Nosara on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. The schedule is fixed: training at 10am and 1:30pm with lunch in between, breakfast at 8am after the morning jog, dinner at 7pm. Nobody is asked to do anything beyond their level — Kru Vivek runs the group through pad work, technique drilling and conditioning, and adjusts what he gives you based on what he sees on day one.

The venue, Jungle's Edge, is an all-inclusive eco-resort surrounded by jungle and banana trees. It's compact enough that you walk from your room to the training studio in a minute or two, and there's a communal kitchen, an infinity pool, a gym and a cold plunge you can use any time. Rooms range from the budget Glamping Hut (full bed plus two singles, private bathroom, ceiling fans, no A/C or hot water) to air-conditioned suites like the Jungle Room, Casitas, Lotus and Bamboo. Several room categories sold out on the original release, which tells you the regulars book early.

What makes this different from a generic tropical fitness week is that the coaching is the point. Kru Vivek holds a long list of competitive credentials — 2006 WKA National Champion, 2014 Thai Championship Boxing 135 lb Champion, 2017 USMTA 135 lb Professional Champion, among others — and he's the WBC USA Muay Thai Mid-Atlantic Regional Director. He also teaches the beginner classes back home, so he's used to working with people who have never thrown a kick.

Nosara itself is one of Costa Rica's five Blue Zones, known for clean water, warm surf and a town that moves slowly. The included waterfall tour on a midweek afternoon is the one organised excursion; everything else — surf lessons, drop-in yoga at Bodhi Tree about a short walk away, massages at the resort — is optional and paid separately. Evenings are fire pit drinks and games before dinner, which is where most of the group bonding actually happens.

What's included

- Twice-daily Muay Thai training led by Kru Vivek - 7 nights accommodation at Jungle's Edge - Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner - Dinner on arrival day - Breakfast on departure day - Fresh-squeezed juice at breakfast - Round-trip airport shuttle transfers (within stated arrival/departure windows) - Waterfall tour - Access to the infinity pool - Unlimited use of the on-site gym - Unlimited use of the cold plunge - Wi-Fi internet access - One load of laundry

What's not included

- Airfare - Alcoholic drinks - Smoothies - Specialty coffees - Beach transfers (15–20 minute walk, or hotel-arranged tuk-tuk) - Drop-in yoga classes at nearby Bodhi Tree - Surf lessons (~$90 per person) - Massages and other resort-bookable activities - Travel insurance