For most Americans, an entrance ramp for a new lifestyle change is through their mouth, Buettner says. Support the Blue Zone Communities in Costa Rica If you would like to be near things but get a bit more of a feel for traditional Nicoya life while also enjoying a bit of the touristy perks (surfing, fun restaurants etc.) Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Costa Rica is known for its pura vida lifestyle and attitude. Results were also shared from the research carried out by the demographer Luis Rosero and Dr. Elizabeth Lopez, both from Costa Rica, who made significant contributions on the subject of healthy longevity. How Much Does it Cost to Live in Costa Rica? (2023) - A Little Adrift Toss gently. Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. Costa Rica: Land of the Centenarians Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . Though Chicago is not one of those cities that uses the template outlined in the Blue Zones Project, the city could adapt to the Blue Zones principals. O que so Zonas Azuis? The peninsula is one of the worlds five Blue Zones where many people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. It includes black beans, cooked plantains, fresh papaya, yams, squash, homemade corn tortillas, and fish (if near the coast). Getting up in the air on tree canopy tours via ziplines and rope bridges is popular throughout Costa Rica. If you want to get underground, Barra Honda National Park has a system of 42 caves and you can explore Terciopelo Cave on a tour. Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known. They begin each meal with a prayer. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. Oftentimes, this helps maintain healthy and supportive relationships within their communities, and develop a strong sense of faith and purpose along the way. It consists of 100 recipes with ingredients used by those who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica and the other four Blue Zones. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. Perhaps youll also figure out your lifes purpose, which studies show contributes to a longer and higher quality life, and make the effort to reconnect with family whether youve brought them with you or will see them again once youre home. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. Meaning, family ties are strong. We have obtained information from Nicoya, Costa Rica on ways to live longer and be happier. By Ty and Charlene Bollinger. Costa Rica holds one of the original 5 blue zones of the world and you will find yourself in one of them if you decide on living in the Nicoya Peninsula. It's a question that inhabitants of Guanacaste are happy to be asking themselves, since it's a true pride for the province's population to be home to one of the five such zones that exist worldwide. A way of life that keeps cells young in one region of Costa Rica This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica (its better for your digestion to eat a bigger breakfast and lunch and a lighter dinner). Reporter Dan Buettner closed by saying "it is a great honor to see the results of the idea of researching the issue of longevity that emerged fifteen years ago is coming to fruition in the meeting of the major scientific researchers on the subject of Blue Zones." We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? In parallel, and with the purpose of generating public policies, a Framework Cooperation Agreement in order to establish, promote and support the Blue Zone in the Nicoya Peninsula. This information is complemented by studies carried out by Costa Rican demographer Dr. Luis Rosero Bixby, which show that the mortality of inhabitants of the Nicoya Peninsula aged 90 is 10% lower than for Costa Ricans of the same age elsewhere in the country. This Blue Zone is in the mountains of the Nicoyan Peninsula in western Costa Rica. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. One of the five designated blue zones in the world, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica features residents who live even longer than those in the rest of the country. And now, it's a well-known fact: Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, dubbed as a "high-longevity island," is one of the world's rare blue zones - one of only five original regions, joined by Icaria (Greece), Okinawa (Japan), Lima Linda (California, USA), and Sardinia (Italy). 4. This goes along with the decision to widen the country's tourism offerings and venture into industries with high potential, such as wellness tourism. Research shows that 30% of longevity comes from genes, and the remaining 70% from lifestyle. The sustainable and equitable promotion of the long-living population of seniors and the establishment of a cultural agenda aimed at strengthening sustainable, rural, community tourism stood out among the commitments made. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Genetics and Costa Ricas natural environment certainly play a large part, but lifestyle is a major factor in why Blue Zone residents live so long. Although the Blue Zone Project isnt all about diet, and its certainly about more than food for the people of Nicoya it is a big difference from the typical American diet (no matter what type of community). The Adventists are praying. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A stay at Nantipa will help you have a true Blue Zone adventure, especially if you book its transcendental wellness experience. Its one of our favorite places in Costa Rica and most likely where we would move if we ever moved to the beach. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. In the future, when we do emerge from the current pandemic, many cities and companies will revisit well-being as a main topic for their citizens and employees. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. Costa Rica's Blue Zones Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The distinguished list included pioneering researchers on this subject: Michel Poulain of Belgium, Dr. Gianni Mario Pes and Paolo Francalacci from Sardinia, Italy, Christina Chrysochoou from Icaria, Greece, Makoto Suzuki from Okinawa, Japan, Gina Siapco from Loma Linda, USA, and Diego Bernardini from Argentina. I cant blame you. WED LOVE IF YOUD ADD IT ON PINTEREST! All of our step by step Costa Rica planning tips in one spot. Speaking of work, finding work/life balance is a constant challenge for many. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. Many of us in Western countries know we need to eat less junk and add more natural food to our diets. Live longer with these dishes from 'blue zones' in America Try our meal idea that reflects elements of the Nicoyan Peninsula Blue Zoners' diet. Protein helps to rebuild and repair tissue, as well as it helps a person to feel full. While we may not increase the average life expectancy throughout the world we can use Nicoya as a template for healthier living. Youll stay in one of 21 suites, bungalows, and villas; lounge in poolside hammocks; walk on the beach; swim; and enjoy seafood purchased from local fishers and bread by the local baker in the open-air Manzu Restaurant thats right on Playa Santa Teresa. Costa Rica Blue Zone: The Secret to Longevity? If coming from San Jose, the easiest way to get to the Nicoya Peninsula is to take the ferry from Puntarenas. The forest here is more tropical than further north and is home to deer, pacas, monkeys, armadillos, laughing gulls, pelicans, frigates, and brown boobies. Nicoyas west and south coasts are the most popular for visitors and offer a wide range of accommodations and access to the peninsulas wilderness and activities. "The sense of community, shared purpose and celebration and appreciation for life in all its forms allows for a way of thriving that can even be seen today to have a connection to vitality and mitochondrial health." Get to Know Costa Rica's Blue Zone: The Nicoya Peninsula My fourth investigation into exactly what our Blue Zone folks eat has left this dietitian, well, intrigued. Lane cites the impact of COVID-19 on minorities like Blacks and Hispanics throughout Chicago. 11 talking about this. It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! Conzcanos. For those who might need some meal ideas, Dan Buettner, wrote the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. In the interior, the town of Nicoya is one of Costa Ricas oldest and also has one of the countrys oldest churches the Parroquia San Blas, first built in 1544. While a Blue Zone indicates a hotspot of healthy longevity, it also presents a challenge of how to extend these benefits throughout the population outside of these redoubts. Maintaining close ties with family and friends helps reduce stress. I also suggest watching his TED Talk. "Year after year, our surveys indicate that its the Costa Ricans themselves that set our destination apart, and it's certainly always a marvelous experience to spend time with the older generation. Wildlife is abundant. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. . The world has a number of 'Blue Zones', areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. Another option is to take the 75-minute ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas to Paquera. Of course, there is still a desire for success (especially in the cities) but in general, the priorities are shifted. Possessing the highest density of biodiversity of any country in the world, it is also labeled as one of the 5 "blue zones", a term coined by National Geographic author Dan Buettner, describing places where a high percentage of the population lives active . Blue Zones Nicoya naci en 2014, una empresa 100% costarricense, que durante los ltimos 6 aos ha sido destacada por la investigacin de alimentos locales de la Zona Azul de Nicoya-Guanacaste. Try cutting out some meat and replacing it with fresh vegetables and fruit. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Brand Storytelling At Sundance: Championing Excellence And Filmmakers With Purpose, Profitable ECommerce Growth For CPGs Is In Reach. Community. Blue Zones: How The World's Oldest People Make Their Money Last - Forbes [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. The Blue Zone in Costa Rica: Where People Live their Best Life It's also an area identified as a "Blue Zone . The centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula have also captured the interest of the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) of the National University (Universidad Nacional) of Costa Rica, which is carrying out a study on the subject this year. Still planning? This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." Nicoyan centenarians get frequent visits from neighbors. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. The best way we can mourn those lives lost is to honor them by creating a better future for our children, their children, and their childrens children by making healthier choices now. First . For one, Costa Rica is a small country and most people never move away from the area they were born in. Even in areas like Nicoya, this has been replaced with the ease of processed meals and fast food (although there are very few fast food options in Nicoya in my experience). "Looking beyond Costa Ricas Blue Zone in Nicoya, elements that make our population stand out and that describe our focus on well-being can be found in every corner of our territory. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. While the Blue Zones project Lane discusses isnt a cure for COVID-19, the principals lived by the people in those zones could increase the chance of livelihood for people of other cultures. The Power of Nutrition (Part 3): The Blue Zones Physicians We must make the health of future generations our responsibility by implementing the lifestyles of the Blue Zones people now. 3 International Psychedelic Retreats Poised To Take Wellness Travel Into the Future, The Most Romantic Couples Massages in Las Vegas, The 20 Happiest Countries in the World, 2022, What Its Like To Stay at Hilton Head Health, One of Americas Most Renowned Wellness Resorts, 5 Types of Meditation That Will Relieve Your Travel Stress, long-life characteristics of the Nicoya Peninsula, How To Move To Costa Rica and Live There on the Cheap, These Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park Basecamps, 8 of the Coolest Airbnbs Near Disney World, Orlando, 8 La Condesa Airbnbs To Settle Into Mexico Citys Coolest Neighborhood, The 11 Absolute Best Beaches in Costa Rica, This Luxury Hotel Has Transformed a Plane Into a Suite in the Costa Rican Jungle, A Guide To Feeling Your Best as a Plus-Size SpaGuest, The Best Airbnbs in Venice, From a Rialto Flat To a San Marco Studio, Download the However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. For most of their lives, Nicoyan centenarians ate a traditional Mesoamerican diet highlighted with the three sisters of agriculture: squash, corn, and beans. Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. We are always happy to help you out! When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Costa Rica indeed does celebrate its elderly citizens; every person who has a 100 th birthday is . Tamarindo is the most popular destination for international visitors with its golden beaches, many with consistent and gentle surfing waves, and nearby national parks and wildlife refuges. They include good physical and mental health, upholding a traditional diet, a deep faith and spirituality, support and respect to family networks that go across generations, where grandchildren spend time with their grandparents and share in their knowledge, physical activity and constant mobility, and a purpose in life associated with spirituality. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. The most popular towns to visit here are Montezuma and Santa Teresa. Its about 75 miles long and 35 miles wide, with the northern section a part of Guanacaste province and the southern section in Puntarenas province. English is widely spoken and the town has lots of tourist infrastructure with a wide variety of restaurant and accommodation choices. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: Researchers found that the probability of becoming a centenarian for a 60-year-old man residing in Nicoya is 4.8%, which was even more than double that of Okinawa, the second highest in the comparison, and it was almost seven times that of Sardinia and Japan (6). Near the fishing village of Tambor (reached by a 20-minute flight from San Jos or a drive down from the Paquera ferry) is Costa Ricas first all-inclusive. Now I was excited to roam off the beaten path into a world-famous Nicoya Peninsula blue zone. Scarlet macaws are bred in Tambor and youll have a chance of seeing them, even on the beach. Specifically, the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, where people have some of the longest lifespans in the world. The gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula is the beach town of Tamarindo on the west coast, which is very popular with international travelers. Dan Buettner on the Diets that Help People Live Longer Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. What are Blue Zones? Eco-tourism is a natural must in this out-of-this-world scenario, where everything that happens is in a quiet, lovely pace. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Despite that, the area has many of the same ideals that the rest of Costa Ricans have. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. They are eye-opening and heart-tugging. Montezuma is great for long beach walks and jungle hikes. Nicoyans attribute much of their longevity to social values of faith and family. Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula joins Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, Lima Linda, California, and Icaria, Greece as one of the world's five blue zones. Montezuma is located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula making it an ideal place to stay when exploring this unique part of Costa Rica. Every day, most people eat a breakfast of black beans and rice (called gallo pinto), eggs, fresh corn tortillas (with batter soaked in lime juice), with a cup of coffee. Sustainability is said to be a way of life, and Costa Rica has actually reversed deforestation; protects more than a quarter of its landmass via 29 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, and eight biological reserves; gets 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, and aims to be completely decarbonized by 2050. The Blue Zone of the Nicoya Peninsula stands out for the beauty of its landscapes, its tourist attractions, and its conservation areas, but above all, for the stories told by the long-lived inhabitants of the region, who have exceeded the life expectancy in Costa Rica and continue to be lucid and active, and who enjoy long, healthy lives. Arising from this need, one of the results of the meeting was the establishment of an International Network on Healthy Aging, which will be led from Costa Rica in order to "build knowledge collaboratively", said Montero. Blue Zones Nicoya desarrolla alimentos, bebidas y suplementos inspirados en los centenarios de la. In parallel, the ICT has drawn attention to the concept of the Blue Zone as part of its wellness tourism strategy as a distinctive feature in promoting the destination, while the Ministry of Culture and Youth has identified the long-lived inhabitants as bearers of a tradition which they can contribute to recovering for future generations. Directions: Toss the cabbage with the orange juice, season with salt and pepper and let sit 30 minutes. The Blue Zones - Wonderlust We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . Located on the Guanacaste Peninsula in northwestern Costa Rica, Nicoya is a rural, beachside, blue-zone community. Pura vida means pure or simple life and Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula has what you could call extreme pura vida. They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands, and they tend not to consume much meat. The Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, in addition to aligning with our Wellness Pura Vida strategy, are important as a driver of wellness tourism throughout the country, highlighting the importance of creating authentic travel experiences. Predominantly catering to families, this 402-room property has four restaurants, including for surf and turf and Japanese, two pools, a nightclub, and a 200-seat amphitheater. Cities throughout the world can use this template to encourage people to live healthier lives. Nicoyan centenarians frequently visit with neighbors, and they tend to live with families and children or grandchildren who provide support, as well as a sense of purpose. Nicoyan water has the countrys highest calcium content, perhaps explaining the lower rates of heart disease, as well as stronger bones and fewer hip fractures. It remains to be seen if the COVID pandemic will affect that average. BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%. The Peninsula is covered by spectacular beaches that host nature's best. Required fields are marked *, car rental deal! Nicoya is located far off in Northeastern Costa Rica. We hope you love the Blue Zone Costa Rica stays we recommend. He worked with several notable anthropolgists, dieticians, historians, and geneticists to identify and further understand what contributes to a long lifespan. A Blue Zone is the name given to one of the areas in the world where a majority of people have a life expectancy of at least 100 years old. He then went on release a book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who Have Lived the Longest in 2008. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. So why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? These include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece, and you guessed it; Nicoya, Costa Rica. You can replicate some of the long-life characteristics of the Nicoya Peninsula on a trip to Costa Ricas Blue Zone and then turn them into healthy habits when you return home. Guevara lives in the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica. Nicoya, Costa Rica is one of those unique locations where lifestyle, diet, and low stress have dramatically bettered the lives of Ticos and expats alike. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average lifespan is 85 among the world's highest. Healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family are another one of their keys to longevity. According to Buettner's studies, the Nicoya Peninsula has the world's lowest rates of middle-age mortality and the second highest convergence of male centenarians. Nearby is the Barra Honda National Park with its caves, the Monte Alto Nature Reserve where a variety of orchids grow, and other natural reserves where you can see wildlife. I feel lucky to have found this information, though the credit doesn't belong to me, but rather to the older residents. Want to Live Longer? Come to Nicoya, Costa Rica, One of the World's Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. These commitments also included mechanisms to develop best practices in health promotion in the "five blue cantons" of the Peninsula, strengthening support networks, and incentivizing the recuperation of life lessons and traditions. While walking gives Nicoyans a chance to exercise and get fresh air, it also gives them time to enjoy the natural beauty for which Nicoya is known. You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." Within Nosaras lush forest and a three-minute walk to Guiones Beach, this small hotel has a daily yoga class plus private yoga instruction, surf lessons, a large pool, hammocks, and a juice and coffee bar. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Why are Costa Rica and Singapore Two of the Happiest - Blue Zones Costa Rica Blue Zone: Learn the Secrets to a Long and Happy Life Everything You Need To Know About the Blue Zone in Costa Rica San Jose, Costa Rica 10104. Barrio La California, Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Costa Rica's Longevity Secrets - Blue Zones Theyre focused on sick care, and so the actual healthcare is often neglected, says Chaves. If you want to really embrace the Nicoya Peninsula blue zone vibe, head to any small village in the area. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. seen in blue zones. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? I will be visiting Costa Rica next week to meet with Jorge who founded a local organization that helps the small Blue Zone villages. Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. In terms of a definition, these zones are geographical areas with a high concentration of long-lived populations, who frequently reach ninety or one hundred years of age. Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. The people of Nicoya value their families a lot, and you can often see them joking with their neighbors, working hard for long hours, and enjoying the sunshine. It is a template outlining the lifestyles of people who live in places like Nicoya, Costa Rica. Nicoya has an abundance of accommodation options but these selections should help your Blue Zone focus whether its healthy food, yoga, spa, surfing, and hiking, connecting with family, or getting a sense of purpose by helping protect Nicoyas wildlife and their habitat. In mid-November 2017, the first World Meeting of Blue Zones was held. Though Costa Rica has just 0.03 percent of the planets surface, it has almost six percent of the worlds biodiversity and you might see (or hear!) Blue Zone is a term created by author Dan Buettner, building off of research by demographers Michel Poulain, Ph.D., and Giovanni Pes, Ph.D. Buettner had spent several years before penning the article leading expeditions including tracing Darwins route in the Galapagos and Marco Polos trip along the Silk Road. O segreto da Zona Azul de Nicoya. Would you like to visit the Nicoya Peninsula? Why Nicoya is Considered One of the Anti-Aging Zones,,, Those who want to enjoy the pura vida life for more than a week or two often end up here, given Santa Teresas gorgeous beaches, busy nightlife, and excellent wifi. 1 - The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. What we can incorporate about Nicoya into our culture is the sense of purpose Nicoyans enjoy. Warm, Sunny Climate. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh.