Muay Thai Training Retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica – Jungle's Edge

The retreat is organised by Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts, a Muay Thai and BJJ gym in Arlington, Virginia, and takes place at Jungle's Edge in Nosara, Costa Rica. The format is straightforward: arrive on a Saturday, train twice a day for six days, fly home the following Saturday. Training is led by Kru Vivek Nakarmi, the gym's owner. He's a former professional fighter with national and world kickboxing medals, a Thai Championship Boxing title, and a USMTA professional title at 135 lbs. He's also the WBC USA Muay Thai Mid-Atlantic Regional Director.

A sample day looks like this: 7am beach jog, 8am breakfast, 10:00–11:30 Muay Thai training, noon lunch, 1:30–3:00pm second Muay Thai session, then free time until dinner at 7pm. Day one swaps the second session for the included waterfall tour. On day four there's an optional morning yoga class at nearby Bodhi Tree (about $20, not included). Surf lessons run most mornings for around $90 per person, arranged through the resort.

What separates this from a generic Muay Thai holiday is the coaching and the group. You're training under someone who has competed at world level and now directs a WBC region, in a group that's mostly the gym's own members. The venue, Jungle's Edge, is an eco-resort designed for exactly this: an open training studio, an infinity pool, a cold plunge, a gym, and a communal kitchen. It's a 15–20 minute walk to the beach, or the hotel can call you a tuk tuk.

Nosara sits on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world's five Blue Zones, so the surrounding town is set up for healthy living — clean air, good water, international restaurants, local markets, and Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort within walking distance. It's also a surf town: the beach break out front is one reason so many people come here, and morning surf lessons are easy to book.

This is a training-focused week rather than a rest cure, but the days aren't packed wall-to-wall. You get long afternoons off, evenings by the fire pit, and a full day for the waterfall trip. It suits people who want to actually improve their Muay Thai, not just hit a bag for an hour and then go sightseeing.

What's included

- Twice-daily Muay Thai training led by Kru Vivek Nakarmi - 7 nights of accommodation at Jungle's Edge - Daily gourmet meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Dinner on arrival day - Breakfast on departure day - Fresh squeezed juice at breakfast - Roundtrip airport transportation (within set arrival/departure windows) - Access to the infinity pool - Unlimited use of the gym - Unlimited use of the cold plunge - Waterfall Tour (extra charge for children) - 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 tuk tuk arranged through the hotel) - Drop-in yoga classes at nearby Bodhi Tree - Other activities bookable through the resort, such as surf lessons and massages - Travel insurance