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. These factors are present, to some degree, in the other four Blue Zones in the world, according to world experts who participated in the World Meeting in Nicoya in mid-November. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. In one of Buettner's most recent visits to Costa Rica, he defined Blue Zones as "a kind of lifestyle and environment that creates longevity. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. Nicoya, also known as the Nicoya Peninsula has not been only recognized as one of the 5 places in the planet with surprisingly high rate of longevity but also as the highest concentration of centenarians in the world. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. There are many factors that go into the long life of Nicoyans, and some of them will be impossible for you to replicate (unless you plan to move to an area of the world where the sun is always shining, the nature is amazing, and then you also need to bring all of your family with you). The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. Blue Zones, those special places on earth where people live longer and healthier lives, first came to prominence in the ground-breaking book by Dan Buettner, Blue Zones. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. Located on the Guanacaste Peninsula in northwestern Costa Rica, Nicoya is a rural, beachside, blue-zone community. Speaking of work, finding work/life balance is a constant challenge for many. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. Whether this pandemic impacts the average lifespan of people around the world or not, a lot can be gained by studying five specific regions in the world where people seemingly effortlessly live to over 90 years in age. We must make the health of future generations our responsibility by implementing the lifestyles of the Blue Zones people now. 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. Guevara lives in the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica. We have obtained information from Nicoya, Costa Rica on ways to live longer and be happier. Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. These centenarians help teach us the value of those important little things," said Mauricio Ventura, Minister of Tourism, with pride. Throughout Costa Rica, youll find vegetarian gallo pinto (rice and beans) served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner the name means spotted rooster because the black beans dot the rice. For the first time ever, the world's most prominent researchers shared their knowledge and most recent research on the topic of Blue Zones. The occasion was also used to release the most recent study on longevity by the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) at the National University of Costa Rica. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Nicoya Peninsula is in many ways isolated from the rest of Costa Rica due to geography. There will be a lot to learn and a lot to do to get back to a healthier normal. These include Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece . 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. Famous for its gorgeous Pacific Coast beaches and well known for its surfing, wellness, yoga, and vibrant sunsets, the Nicoya peninsula is a paradise for the mind, body, and soul. Nantipa means blue in the language of the Chorotega people, some of the first known people to live in the Nicoya region. 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.) Stir in two chopped plum tomatoes, half of a finely chopped onion and one . Healthy Blue Zone Recipes | Best Health Magazine These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). There are several theories about why the Blue Zone of Costa Rica exists, but the most likely explanation is that it is due to a combination of factors. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. The traditional diet in the area is also notable. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average life span is 85among the world's highest. Now, visiting Nicoya doesnt mean youll automatically live to 100, but a trip there is likely to put you on the path to pure life thanks to its natural environment and abundance of healthy activities. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. 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. However, altering your diet, increasing the amount of exercise you get in a given day, and embracing relationships with family and friends are good places to start. Get to Know Costa Rica's Blue Zone: The Nicoya Peninsula The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. The forest here is more tropical than further north and is home to deer, pacas, monkeys, armadillos, laughing gulls, pelicans, frigates, and brown boobies. We're going to focus on the last one, mostly because it hits close to home. On the peninsulas southeast coast is Tambor, with Nicoyas most southerly airport. However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. Hi! Everything You Need To Know About the Blue Zone in Costa Rica Learn more about typical diet with our Guide to Costa Rican Food. Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. Why Nicoya is Considered One of the Anti-Aging Zones in the World Few really know what aging is and how it can be controlled, here experts from Costa Rica and around the world talk about it and define the Nicoya Peninsula as one of those with the most long-lived people. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. The Adventists are praying. This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. Your email address will not be published. Costa Rica is home to one of the five original blue zones regions, the Nicoya peninsula, with a high number of centenarians in excellent health. Do you have any questions about the Costa Rica Blue Zone? Nicoya. In other words, it lives longer than the average global life expectancy. Living Past 100: The Okinawan Diet and Blue Zone Centenarians Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. 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!) Living the Pure Life in Nicoya, Costa Rica - Viva Tropical Check out all of our favorite travel companies. Costa Ricans called Ticos say pura vida instead of hello, how are you, fine, thanks, and see you later and youll quickly find yourself saying it too. The Tortuga Islands are offshore and are a frequent destination for snorkeling trips, even from other parts of the peninsula. 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 . People from Nicoya enjoy an ample dose of Vitamin D. They spend most of their time outside tending to the land and enjoy a healthy relationship with surrounding nature. We hope you love the Blue Zone Costa Rica stays we recommend. Try opting to walk places instead of driving. The chance to do yoga in an open-air pavilion on the beach is not to be missed! Santa Teresa is great for surfing and enjoying a small but vibrant town with a backpacker vibe. For those who might need some meal ideas, Dan Buettner, wrote the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. 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. Look for howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots and parakeets, and bigger birds like herons and hawks. Costa Rica is one of the few tropical countries where its safe to drink tap water even for foreigners and theres no need to buy plastic water bottles. Try spending quality times with your loved ones. The Nicoya Peninsula has five cantons where middle-age morality is lowest and centenarians are the most abundant. Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. O segreto da Zona Azul de Nicoya. The gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula is the beach town of Tamarindo on the west coast, which is very popular with international travelers. Now I was excited to roam off the beaten path into a world-famous Nicoya Peninsula blue zone. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. 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. 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. 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. Toss gently. It requires descending 17 yards down a ladder to see cave formations that resemble fried eggs, popcorn, roses, and shark teeth. Over the last several months, the world has mourned the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. By comparison, a person in the United States can reasonably expect to live to just 77, according to federal census data. Cala Luna won most innovative wellness hotel from the Global Beauty & Wellness Awards thanks to daily complimentary wellness activities like hatha yoga, bikes to borrow, farm-to-table cuisine (from La Sendas farm) with organic and biodynamic wines, and the innovative treatments at its Lahari Wellness Center spa. 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. Blue Zone: Nicoya, Costa Rica - Plant-Based Life Foundation Blue Zones Nicoya desarrolla alimentos, bebidas y suplementos inspirados en los centenarios de la. Costa Rica is generally a healthy country because its government decided that education, healthcare, and protecting the environment are more important than funding its armed forces and it abolished its army in 1948. Brand Storytelling At Sundance: Championing Excellence And Filmmakers With Purpose, Profitable ECommerce Growth For CPGs Is In Reach. Living Hotel partners with the Spacio spa, a five-minute walk away, which has several treatments geared to surfers. Residents of this 80-mile peninsula found south of the Nicaraguan border have the world's lowest middle-age mortality rates, and the second highest number of male centenarians in the world. The Today Show's Cynthia McFadden accompanied Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner to Costa Rica and Singapore to learn why they these two different places have such happy residents. The secret of Nicoya's Blue Zone | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Costa Rica's Blue Zone - Special Places of Costa Rica In a few, unique communities around the globe, people live long and heathy lives, up to and past 100. What we can incorporate about Nicoya into our culture is the sense of purpose Nicoyans enjoy. By Ty and Charlene Bollinger. Exploring the Blue Zones of Costa Rica: The Nicoya Peninsula Nicoya, Costa Rica - And then there's Nicoya, where Ricardo and his family live, a notable exception to the rule that people in developing countries have shorter life spans than those in developed ones. Your email address will not be published. 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. It helps them remain positive. Blue Zones Nicoya - Esencial Costa Rica Now is the time for cities like Chicago to learn from the five Blue Zones throughout the world like Nicoya, Costa Rica. Blue Zones: Why Residents in the Nicoya Peninsula Live Longer than 90 Years Located in northwestern Costa Rica, near the border with Nicaragua, Playas del Coco which is more commonly called Cocois a beach town, popular with both expats and Costa Ricans. "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." It is not unusual for several generations to gather on a regular basis for lively gatherings. Thanks to the peninsulas reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. Nicoya, Costa Rica - Blue Zones A research team is currently researching the . They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have. Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. A three-course farm-to-table dinner with a tour of the organic garden is available Mondays and Thursdays. The beautiful view of the beaches may also have a hand in this. Butterflies in Costa Rica The Best Places to See Them, Irazu Volcano Visit the Highest Volcano in Costa Rica, 20 Free Things to Do in Costa Rica That Youll Love, Costa Rica Rental Car Discount Save Up to 20%, The feeling of a sense of purpose in life. BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%. Wellness enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. That's why this part of Costa Rica is designated a Blue Zone, the term used for just five areas of the world where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives. Compreende os 5 cantos da Pennsula de Nicoya: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz e Nicoya. Staples of the traditional Nicoya diet include homemade corn tortillas, black beans, white rice, a variety of squash, yams, papaya, bananas, and pejibayes. The expat community in Coco is generally older retirees, however, there are some younger expats running around. 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. That is when brands, businesses and cities will be able to look at Blue Zones like the one in Nicoya and find a model to follow. The Blue Zone in Costa Rica: Where People Live their Best Life The peninsula is one of the worlds five Blue Zones where many people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. 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. Contents1 Is Costa Rica considered [] The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. These cookies do not store any personal information. Also, the environment just exudes joy. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a host of problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, but regular, smart sun exposure (about 15 minutes on the legs and arms) can help supplement your diet and make sure youre getting enough of this vital nutrient. They also practice good physical and mental health. The Power of Nine is the name Buetnner has given to the characteristics that all Blue Zones seem to share. You can design your own holistic retreat too, choosing from a Kirtan sound bath, detox program, cacao ceremony, blue clay treatment, drum circles, and more. Why people in 'Blue Zones' are outliving all of us | MDLinx When Dan Buettner introduced the concept of Blue Zones, he formed the Blue Zones Project. 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.