It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. Almost 40 percent of the residents of the Nicoya Peninsula (about 5,000 of the population of 132,000) are over the age of 75, more than 900 are over the age of 90, and many are over 100. Poor communities are notorious for living in food deserts. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Its difficult to maintain family bonds and friendships when school and work take us far from home, into strange communities. 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. Ministry of Health data indicate that life expectancy is nearly 80 years, which is the highest in Central America, according to the World Bank. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. San Jose, Costa Rica 10104. However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. The 9 Secrets Boosting a Long Life in Nicoya, Costa Rica: They have a strong sense of purpose No matter how old they are, Nicoyans have a strong sense of purpose, a reason to live longer. 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 Nicoya Peninsula is in many ways isolated from the rest of Costa Rica due to geography. Not long after, he began to lead trips to the first Blue Zones that he had discovered. There will be a lot to learn and a lot to do to get back to a healthier normal. Black bean starter To a small pot over medium-low heat, add one can of rinsed black beans. Over the last several months, the world has mourned the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. La Senda has a 2.5-acre labyrinth with a two-mile-long path (said to be the biggest in the world) as well as horseback riding. 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. They wake up. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Pablo Jenkins, a regenerative investor and futurist explains that it is a great time to take on that wisdom from the local ancestors and combine it with new regenerative ways of living. Fish is a lean protein and provides oils which help with overall brain function. 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. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. One Nicoyan, a centenarian, said he knew death would eventually come for him but it is the love for his children that motivates him to keep going every day. Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? 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. Nicoya, Costa Rica. They embrace the relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle and family always comes first. 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. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. It helps them remain positive. 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. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). 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. Try cutting out some meat and replacing it with fresh vegetables and fruit. In the Nicoya Peninsula, the water is particularly rich in calcium and magnesium which studies show is good for cardiovascular health and preventing cancer. BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%. 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. A research team is currently researching the . Rooms have a mini fridge and theres a communal kitchen plus bikes to rent. Access to natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables (stables of the Nicoyans) is difficult to come by. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a Central American Caribbean nation that boasts economic security and excellent health care. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. The World Meeting of Blue Zones laid the groundwork, in a spirit of s se puede (yes we can), envisioning a blue Costa Rica, following the example of healthy habits set by more than 900 inhabitants aged 90 or older, and the centenarians of Nicoya Peninsula. 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). They are joined by 42 other centenarians in the Nicoya Peninsula, located in the 5 blue cantons: Nicoya, Santa Cruz, Hojancha, Nandayure and Carrillo (according to data from Jorge Vindas, a field researcher for the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Association). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2008-2023 Law Dissertation Writing Services. Thanks to the peninsula's reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. Get your fill of fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, and passionfruit and vegetables and legumes like squash, cassava, plantain, yam, and beans. They typically do not consume a lot of meat. The town of Nosara, located in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, is a surfing and wellness hot spot located in one of the five "blue zones" in the world. 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. For the first time ever, the world's most prominent researchers shared their knowledge and most recent research on the topic of Blue Zones. "This meeting commits us to preserve this Blue Zone, but most importantly, it should have a multiplier effect and serve as an example for the other cantons of the country" said Ana Monge, Commissioner of the Presidential Social Council of the Government of Costa Rica. Nicoyan centenarians get frequent visits from neighbors. The Nicoya Peninsula has five cantons where middle-age morality is lowest and centenarians are the most abundant. Some sea turtles have even lived to age 150. We know we should include exercise into all parts of our lives (not just an hour at the gym). As of now, there are 5 blue zones: Icaria, Greece. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. Your email address will not be published. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 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. 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. Without a doubt, this is a challenge for the next generations, in the context of the world's age pyramid turning upside down, with ever more senior citizens. By encouraging Nicoyans belief community and sense of purpose through work, family, or nature, cities could help their poorest thrive. 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. Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. 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. 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. We know that the diet here is different than that of the rest of the country, and that the character of the people here is unique in the world. In mid-November 2017, the first World Meeting of Blue Zones was held. For most of their lives, Nicoyan centenarians ate a traditional Mesoamerican diet highlighted with the three sisters of agriculture: squash, corn, and beans. Nearby are waterfalls at Montezuma, ziplining near the Cabo Blanco Reserve, and kite surfing. WED LOVE IF YOUD ADD IT ON PINTEREST! Many Nicoyans choose to walk from one destination to another instead of driving. Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. The surroundings dictate ways of operating, not personal decisions. The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. Getting up in the air on tree canopy tours via ziplines and rope bridges is popular throughout Costa Rica. Living Hotel partners with the Spacio spa, a five-minute walk away, which has several treatments geared to surfers. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! The chance to do yoga in an open-air pavilion on the beach is not to be missed! Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. 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. 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. Look for howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots and parakeets, and bigger birds like herons and hawks. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. 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. Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. seen in blue zones. The baby turtles hatch 45 to 54 days later and, if theyre lucky, might live another 50 to 80 years. One is the plan de vida, or reason to live, which propels a positive outlook among elders and helps keep them active. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Alternatively, Blue. On the peninsulas southeast coast is Tambor, with Nicoyas most southerly airport. There are five areas of the world that meet the qualifications of Blue Zone as defined by Buettner. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. Nicoyans attribute much of their longevity to social values of faith and family. You can drive to Tamarindo in about 80 minutes from the Liberia airport (its about four hours from Costa Ricas other main airport in the capital, San Jos). Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. The five blue zones are: Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Conzcanos. 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. Guevara lives in the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica. obesity, or heart disease. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. 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. Or, get your zen on at La Senda, the wellness center on a 74-acre forested property near Tamarindo. Nicoyas interior where most of the centenarians and almost-centenarians live and northeastern coast are less visited by tourists but still have much to offer. A "Blue Zone" is an area of the world where it is typical for people to live past 100 years old. To understand some of the reasons why Blue-Zoners live healthier, longer lives, let's take another look at Ricardo's daily routine. Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. Hi, my name is Mike Gillespie & I'm fundraising to help support the Blue Zone communities in Nicoya Costa Rica. Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. We must make the health of future generations our responsibility by implementing the lifestyles of the Blue Zones people now. 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. Costa Rica indeed does celebrate its elderly citizens; every person who has a 100 th birthday is . 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. "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. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. I have been exploring the data reported by National Geographic and Dan Buettner in the Blue Zones Solution: . Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. 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. Soltara Healing Center is located on the calm and pristine Gulf of Nicoya in the mountainous jungle of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. These cookies do not store any personal information. If coming from San Jose, the easiest way to get to the Nicoya Peninsula is to take the ferry from Puntarenas. Loma Linda, California. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. Montezuma is great for long beach walks and jungle hikes. "The five cantons of the peninsula continue to appear with greater longevity and we've confirmed this everywhere we've investigated. Water sports are on offer pretty much everywhere along Nicoyas coast, whether you prefer surfing, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just checking out whats happening in the tide pools. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. The world has 5 recognized Blue Zones (as determined by the authority of National Geographic ). 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. He then went on release a book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who Have Lived the Longest in 2008. They are eye-opening and heart-tugging. What they generally don't know, however, is that a part of Costa Rica tourists rarely visit (the rural Nicoya Peninsula towns of Nicoya, Santa Cruz and environs) contains the largest. 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. For those who might need some meal ideas, Dan Buettner, wrote the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. For more information read our privacy policy. First and foremost, the competition to get ahead isnt the same here as it is in some other western countries. Sign up for theBLUE ZONES free weekly email where webring youexclusive interviews, cutting edge longevity news, and fresh tips for living longer, better. For example, we know that Nicoya is the driest part of Costa Rica, that it used to be part of Nicaragua, and that more Indians intermarried with the Spanish who began settling here in 1510. These include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece, and you guessed it; Nicoya, Costa Rica. It is not unusual for several generations to gather on a regular basis for lively gatherings. The term Blue Zone was first used in a 2005 National Geographic cover story entitled The Secret of Long Life written by a man named Dan Buettner. Jorge Vindas, Costa Ricas Blue Zone expert, says that its a combination of good genes, healthy food and water, regular low-intensity exercise, few vices, a strong connection to family, putting importance on religion or spirituality, and having a sense of purpose. Rice and black beans, gallo pinto, served with eggs and tropical fruit. These cantons are: Carillo, Hojancha, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Nandoyure. It's also one of the happiest places in Central America: Costa Ricans report a high level of life satisfaction and the country has the highest literacy rate in Latin America. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. I cant blame you. For those that don't know, there are a few communities around the globe where people live long and healthy lives, up to and past 100, dubbed "blue zones." In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average life span is 85among the world's highest. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! Successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose. 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. When Dan Buettner introduced the concept of Blue Zones, he formed the Blue Zones Project. Costa Rica Experts 2023. Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. They begin each meal with a prayer. When that day comes, Nicoyas Blue Zone will continue to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit. Changing the American diet and culture around the food we eat can help save lives. Guest Writer for Wake Up World. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. Eco-tourism is a natural must in this out-of-this-world scenario, where everything that happens is in a quiet, lovely pace. My Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Retreat. I had visited the famous Costa Rica "must-see" spots - Arenal, Manuel Antonio, the cloud forest, the Osa Peninsula - some of them a few times. 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. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! Dan discovered five places where residents have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. The Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica, is one of them, . We have a full guide to the ferry here. 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.) The traditional diet in the area is also notable. 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.