experience Jiu Jitsu in Paradise

Experience Jiu Jitsu in Paradise in Jacó, Costa Rica

There are few places where you can train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, surf warm Pacific waves, explore waterfalls, and watch the sun disappear into the ocean—all in the same day.

Welcome to Jaco Jiu Jitsu in Jacó, Costa Rica.

Our rooftop academy is located at Room2Board, just steps from Jacó Beach. We offer serious Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in one of the most unique training environments in Costa Rica.

The ocean and sunset views are incredible, but the training is the foundation.

High-Level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Jacó

Jaco Jiu Jitsu was founded by Professor J.P. Donahue, a third-degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and four-time Pan American Champion.

His lineage connects directly to some of the most respected names in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

Carlson Gracie → Murilo Bustamante → Marcelo Perdomo → J.P. Donahue

Classes are built around the principles that make Jiu Jitsu work:

• Master the fundamentals

• Control position before attacking

• Use leverage instead of unnecessary strength

• Apply pressure with purpose

• Stay composed when things get difficult

• Develop techniques that hold up against resistance

Jaco Jiu Jitsu welcomes complete beginners, experienced students, competitors, residents, and visitors from academies around the world.

Whether you are starting your first week of Jiu Jitsu or have been training for years, you will find focused instruction, challenging rounds, and a welcoming environment.

Gi and No-Gi Classes

Jaco Jiu Jitsu offers both Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Gi training develops grip control, pressure, patience, technical precision, and a deeper understanding of how to establish and maintain dominant positions.

No-Gi training is faster and more fluid. It emphasizes movement, body positioning, wrestling-based connections, transitions, and control without relying on traditional Gi grips.

Both styles are built on the same essential progression:

• Protect yourself

• Escape bad positions

• Establish control

• Advance position

• Finish with a submission

Training both Gi and No-Gi helps students build a more complete Jiu Jitsu game.

Beginner-Friendly Jiu Jitsu Training

You do not need to be strong, flexible, athletic, or in great condition before starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

You just need to start.

Beginners at Jaco Jiu Jitsu learn through a logical progression that includes safety, basic movement, defensive positions, escapes, control, takedowns, and submissions.

Nobody expects you to know what to do on your first day. Professor Donahue will guide you through the fundamentals and help you build confidence one class at a time.

The white belt may be the hardest belt to earn because it requires the courage to walk through the door and try something new.

Once you do that, you have already taken the most important step.

Train on a Rooftop Steps From Jacó Beach

Jaco Jiu Jitsu is located on the rooftop at Room2Board, a beachfront surf hostel at the south end of Jacó.

Train while the Pacific breeze moves across the mats. Watch the sky change color during the Sunset Sesh. Walk from the academy to the beach in minutes.

It is a setting that reminds you why you came to Costa Rica—but it never replaces the reason you came to train.

At Jaco Jiu Jitsu, the location is part of the experience. The quality of the instruction is the reason to return.

Train, Surf, and Experience Costa Rica

Room2Board is the official lodging and surf partner for Jaco Jiu Jitsu and Jaco Fight House.

Visitors can stay at Room2Board, train at the rooftop academy, take surf lessons, rent a board, and enjoy easy access to Jacó Beach.

The surf break is directly in front of the property, making it easy to train Jiu Jitsu and surf without spending your vacation traveling between locations.

Start the day in the ocean. Train at noon. Explore Jacó in the afternoon. Finish with a Sunset Sesh on the rooftop.

Build the day around your training—or build your training into the Costa Rica experience you want.

Adventure Between Training Sessions

Jacó is surrounded by ocean, mountains, rainforest, rivers, and waterfalls.

When you are not training, you can:

• Hike to waterfalls

• Ride an ATV into the mountains

• Zipline over the rainforest

• Go horseback riding

• Take a sportfishing trip

• Go whitewater rafting

• Hike to El Miró

• Explore Jacó’s restaurants and nightlife

• Recover in the Pacific Ocean

If you want help planning your trip, Jaco Fight House can serve as your local concierge. We can help coordinate airport transportation, surf lessons, board rentals, tours, and other Jacó activities through trusted local operators.

You choose what you want to do. We help make it happen.

Stay at Room2Board and Train at Jaco Jiu Jitsu

Room2Board gives visiting students the opportunity to stay in the same location where they train.

The property offers accommodations, a pool, a restaurant and bar, social areas, surf services, and direct access to Jacó Beach.

There are no mandatory camp dates and no rigid itinerary.

Come when it works for you. Stay for the length of time that fits your schedule. Train as much as you want. Surf, explore, relax, or experience Jacó your way.

Jaco Jiu Jitsu remains the academy and the foundation.

Jaco Fight House helps visitors turn the training trip into a complete Costa Rica experience.

Visitors and Drop-Ins Are Welcome

One of the best things about operating a Jiu Jitsu academy in Jacó is meeting students from around the world.

We welcome visitors from every affiliation and academy. Come for one class, train throughout your vacation, attend Saturday Open Mat, or arrange private instruction with Professor Donahue.

The drop-in fee is $20.

Bring your Gi or No-Gi gear, contact us before class, and come ready to train.

Why Train at Jaco Jiu Jitsu?

Jaco Jiu Jitsu offers:

• Instruction from a third-degree black belt and four-time Pan American Champion

• A proven lineage connected to Carlson Gracie

• Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• Beginner-friendly instruction

• Private lessons by appointment

• Saturday Open Mat

• A welcoming environment for visitors

• A rooftop academy with ocean and sunset views

• A location just steps from Jacó Beach

• On-site lodging and surf access through Room2Board

You can find beautiful views throughout Costa Rica.

Finding high-level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a welcoming academy culture, beachfront accommodations, and consistent surf in the same location is something different.

Train Jiu Jitsu in Paradise

Jaco Jiu Jitsu is more than a beautiful place to take a few photos and get some rounds.

It is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy built on fundamentals, lineage, discipline, pressure, and respect.

Come train hard. Learn something. Meet people from around the world. Walk off the rooftop and into the Pacific.

Train Jiu Jitsu in paradise at Jaco Jiu Jitsu.