• Train with master instructors in a beautiful tropical vacation setting
• Join our global bjj community and make lifelong friendships with martial artists from all over the world .

How to Get to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Traveling to Santa Teresa is not as hard as you may think, but it is remote, and the dirt roads to town are bumpy, so we've written this guide to help you plan your trip.

Step 1 - Fly into Juan Santamaria - San Jose International Airport (SJO).

• The flight to SJO takes about 4.5 hours from NY/NJ area. It is a straight flight.
• Plan at least three-four hours between your international and domestic flights inside Costa Rica; customs can take up to a few hours.
• If you want to travel in a group, make sure you coordinate with your friends to see who is flying at what date and time.
• Book your flights leaving the US in the morning for Wednesday to arrive at SJO plenty early. Returning flights for Sunday or later should be booked in the afternoon so you have enough time to get to the airport in time.
  

Step 2 - Fly a 25 min domestic flight from SJO to Tambor or Cobano via Sansa or Costa Rica Green Airways.

• There are no direct flights to Tambor or Cobano.    You will need to book a puddle jumper flight from San Jose.    Cobano is a new airport and is closer to the camp, but is only served by Green Airways.
• Book your domestic flight from SJO to Tambor/Cobano via one of the following companies for the same day you arrive and depart from SJO.   Costa Rica Green Airways
  Sansa Airlines
• Remember to plan at least three to four hours between your international and domestic flights.
• These flights go from $90 to $145 each way depending on what plan you chose. If you are packing super light, The cheapest plan doesn’t allow for last minute changes or cancellations. Make sure to read the details before booking.

Step 3 - Ride a taxi from Tambor/Cobano Airport to Santa Teresa.

• There are usually taxis waiting at Airport.
• We recommend you arrange a ride in advance with Adventure Cab. You may contact our friend Richard Mora at:
  Email: adventurecab@gmail.com
  Facebook/Instagram: @RichardMoraMora
  WhatsApp: +506-8360-8166
• A one-way taxi costs approximately $60-70 USD.  (approx. 40 mins from Cobano & 60 mins from Tambor)
• Carpooling for the cab ride will allow you to split the fare amongst your party. If you are traveling alone, you can ask if there is anyone on your flight also traveling to Santa Teresa the same date you are. If there is, travel together!
• Tell your cab driver you are going to Rocamar / Blue Surf in Santa Teresa.

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Fernando Moya

Fernando is one of the most recognized Costa Rican black belts. He was given his black belt by John Danaher in NYC in 2012. He resides in San Jose, Costa Rica when he is not traveling around the world teaching seminars.

•SP State Champion

•FESP Circuit Champion

•Na Guarda SP Circuit Champion

•Sul Tatame Circuit Champion

•Black Trunk Floripa Circuit Champion

•Open Jiu Jitsu Tournament Panama Champion 

•Runner-up Sul-Brasileiro

•3rd South American Place, among others.

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Javier Valenciano

Javier is a Black belt under Daniel Gracie. Born and raised in San Jose Costa Rica , he is the Head Coach at Athletic Advance.

• Coach to Bellator , One FX  and  Lux Fight League MMA fighters
• Former coach at Krazy Bee Tokyo.
• 4-0 professional MMA record.
• Multiple time AJP open, World Pro trials, IBJJF open black belt gold medalist.

Fabio Clemente

A veteran of our camp, who has taught at many of past camps, Fabio is one of the early pioneers of BJJ in New York City in the early 90’s . He brought over both Marcello Garcia and Lucas Lepri from Brazil to the U.S. apart from being a legend in the BJJ Community he is just a real cool dude.

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Juan Barrentes

Juan is a second degree Black Belt under Renzo Gracie.

Founding member of the renowned Athletic Advanced Academy in San Jose, with over 15 years experience developing practitioners through their whole Jiu Jitsu journey, including kids that developed into professional athletes.

As a professional MMA fighter Juan fought around the globe for the biggest promotions, training and sharing knowledge with elite talent from all different fighting disciplines.

Because of his career related injuries Juan found Yoga.   Through his practice he found a way to heal his body and began to incorporate Yoga into his daily training routine.   As he realized the power of Yoga, he continued studying and became a certified Yoga teacher under Yoga Mandir School and has continued his study with Stefano Allegri in Santa Teresa.

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‍What is the GPS Location of the camp?

Open in Google Maps

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How hard is it to get to camp?

There are 3 legs to this trip.

• A flight to San Jose, Costa Rica from your country of origin.
• A flight to Tambor from San Jose Domestic Airport.
• A cab ride from Tambor Airport to Santa Teresa.

Flying to Costa Rica is a straight flight from NJ/NY area (4.5 hours), but there are no direct flights to Santa Teresa (where the camp is held) from outside the country. A connection flight is needed from San Jose to Tambor, and a cab drive will take you down some  bumpy dirt roads to get there, which is what helps the area retain its charm without becoming too "touristy." We have written a guide for traveling to camp that you can read here.

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Are there other ways to Santa Teresa besides the small domestic flight?

The puddle jumper is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to get to Santa Teresa. It will also give you the view of a lifetime while flying over the Gulf of Nicoya. If for any reason you chose not to take the small domestic flight over from SJO to Tambor, there are other options. A private shuttle can be booked at Tropical Tour Shuttles from San Jose that will cross the Gulf via Ferry to Santa Teresa. This alternative can vary in prices and takes an extra 5 hours on top of your international flight. If you chose to rent a car, you can do the ferry trip yourself, by driving to the Naviera Tambor Ferry Terminal, and doing the rest of the drive once crossed over.

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What is your return policy?

You can read our full Refund Policy here

What are the reasons behind your return policy?

• Housing for the busy season is limited especially close to our camp so we book housing 1 year  to 6 months in Advance
• We offer large discounts for early birds so returning money would defeat that
• In order to put on the best camp possible, we need time to plan this camp  (meals, instructors, etc).   We are a small group working on this camp and once we close sales our attention is focused on the planning and running the retreat.  .  

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How will I get around when I am there ?

The camp lodging , mat space and breakfast are all within walking distance during the camp period. There are a few restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the camp area as well. Renting an ATV can facilitate being able to travel around to the some remote areas like waterfalls, downtown and other nearing towns. Below are our recommended ATV rental spots. Be sure to secure your rentals ahead of time (at least 3 weeks prior).

SAVANNAH ATV TOURS

PACIFIC DIRT ROAD ATVs

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What should I pack for the trip?

We suggest you pack light, particularly if you are taking a Puddle Jumper.    The temperature range during this time of year is mid of 70s to mid 90s

Training Sessions:  We will have 5 training sessions (3 Gi, 2 NoGi).      

• 1 Gi*
• 2 NoGi

*There is laundry for your Gi, we also will be accepting donations at the end of the camp for the local BJJ community if you would like to donate your Gi.

Other Suggested Items:

• Swim Suit
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Ski Googles & Bandana  (For Dust when driving ATVs)

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When can I check in/out?

Camp check in begins on Wednesday afternoon/evening and check out is on Sunday morning. The training days are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. You will be staying at either Honu Beach Apartments, Blue Surf Sanctuary or Villas Almendros (owned by camp operator Kevin Sheridan) which are beside each other and near the beach.

Will meals be provided?

The meals provided are:

• Welcome BBQ Dinner on Wednesday Night
• Breakfast every morning from Thursday - Sunday.
• Coconut water, Juice and Ceviche after the morning training session as a refreshment and a snack. 

Dinner and lunch aren’t included and are offered in many restaurants and cafes around. We recommend "sodas" (local mom and pop restaurant), which will provide you the local cuisine for a very reasonable price. Since Santa Teresa is now a very culturally diverse town, you can always explore the town’s gastronomy on your own, or shop at a local supermarket and use the fully equipped kitchens at your cabin.

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What is the local currency and how much should I exchange?

The local currency of Costa Rica is the “Colon.” Although it is the preferred currency, local businesses in Santa Teresa will accept the US Dollar, and most of the times will return change to you in Colones at a rate of ₡600 per $1. The average exchange rate for the Colon varies from ₡500 to ₡600.

We recommend using your international Credit Card / Debit Card or US Dollars when in Costa Rica, as exchanging for money in town or at the airport can be pricey.

You should calculate your expenses based on your plans. Meals in the nearby restaurants can vary from ₡4,000 to ₡15,000. The sodas in Santa Teresa serve the local gastronomy for the most affordable prices.

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Will there be laundry services?

There will be laundry services provided for your Gis after each training session. All training equipment are hung to dry, and there is a slight possibility some will not be fully dried by the next day. We ask everyone to pack 2 GIs just in case.

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Is camp worth coming to if I'm just a white belt?

Absolutely! Our instructors are very skilled at teaching and breaking down techniques to the absolute most basic concept so that everyone, no matter their rank, can learn and improve. That said, just coming to experience the unspoiled beauty of Santa Teresa alone is worth checking off your bucket list!

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What else is there to do in Santa Teresa?

When you are not on that mats, you have endless activities in Costa Rica to choose from! Below are a few things worth checking out when in Santa Teresa.

• Surfing and Surf lesson.
• Montezuma Falls
• Local Waterfalls (with help of local guide)
• Yoga
• Rainforest Canopy Tours
• Quad Bikes Tours
• Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
• All Day Island Tours (Isla Tortuga & others)
• Zip Lining
• Bars, Cafes, Restaurants & Night Life
• Beaches
• Infinity Pool at Vista de Olas

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When should I sign up?

The camp is heavily discounted for a few days after the camp is over. In case you missed that, we recommend booking by June to get $125 off the total price. The Rollin' in Costa Rica Retreat typically sells out by mid-October and the flights are typically sold out by November. The earlier you arrange your plans, the better!

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Can I stay longer than the camp period?

Accommodations will only be provided for the duration of the camp. Official camp check-in is Wednesday afternoon, and camp check-out is Sunday morning. If you chose to arrive before or stay extra, please reach out to us for any inquiries, or feel free to extend your stay by booking a nearby location.

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What if I want a private room for my family?

If you would like a private room for just you or you and your family, please contact us and we can accommodate.

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Surf, Explore, and Train on Costa Rica's Most Pristine Beaches

Imagine the most picturesque and unspoiled white sand beach that you can, where the coastline is lined with layer upon layer of unspoiled jungle, palm trees, and coconut groves.

You can hear the sounds of wild birds chirping and squirrels playing in the trees behind you. White-faced monkeys (capuchin monkeys) are swinging in the trees. A howler monkey’s enormous yell echoes in the distance. The stunning and powerful ocean roars in front of you and it stretches out in all directions as far as the eye can see. Welcome to Santa Teresa beach. This once sleepy beach escape is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica and it is just waiting to be explored by you and your whole family. Santa Teresa beach is near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica and although it’s a little hard to get to, it is most definitely worth the trip.

The camp starts with an amazing welcome BBQ dinner beachside. Everyone is expected to gather at Rocamar Beach Cafe at 6:00PM (18:00) local time. This will give everyone a chance to meet up with friends, make new friends, and meet some of our instructors. Every morning from Thursday until Sunday, fuel up with the inclusive buffet style breakfast at Rocamar Beach Cafe at 8:00AM local time (8:30 Sunday).  Don’t over-eat, training starts at 9:00AM!

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Thursday

THURSDAY  9AM-11:30AM
Gi (Javier Valenciano)

THURSDAY 11:30AM-4:00PM
LUNCH BREAK

THURSDAY 4:00PM-6:00PM
NoGi  (Fabio Clemente)

Friday

FRIDAY 9AM-11:30AM
Gi (Javier Valenciano)

FRIDAY 11:30AM-4:00PM
LUNCH BREAK

FRIDAY 4:00PM-6:00PM
NoGi (Juan Barrentes)

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Saturday

SATURDAY 9:00AM-12:00PM
Gi (Fernando Moya)

SATURDAY 12PMFREE TIME