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. 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. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. Buettner had spent several years before penning the article leading expeditions including tracing Darwin's route in the Galapagos and Marco Polo's trip along the Silk Road. seen in blue zones. They have groups of friend with whom they share healthy habits.". But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Dubbed "blue zones," residents of these areas share a common environment and lifestyle that . It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! Loma Linda, California. To understand some of the reasons why Blue-Zoners live healthier, longer lives, let's take another look at Ricardo's daily routine. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! They also practice good physical and mental health. My Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Retreat. 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. 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. Research shows that 30% of longevity comes from genes, and the remaining 70% from lifestyle. 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. 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. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. In the south between the Paquera ferry and the village of Tambor, youll have an excellent chance of seeing wildlife within the privately-owned Cur Wildlife Reserve. Face-to-Face Conversations. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Santa Teresa is great for surfing and enjoying a small but vibrant town with a backpacker vibe. Guest Writer for Wake Up World. 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. The beautiful view of the beaches may also have a hand in this. What to Incorporate Into Your Diet to Eat Like a 100 Year Old Nicoyan "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. Dan discovered five places where residents have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. 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. In other words, it lives longer than the average global life expectancy. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. He cautions though that one of the reasons Nicoyas centenarians live so long is that they dont have high incomes, which means theyve had to do physical labor since they were young, their meals are light and mainly of vegetables and legumes, and they cant afford a lot of protein or processed foods. Blue Zones Nicoya - Esencial Costa Rica Healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family are another one of their keys to longevity. Each region has its own diet, types of exercise, and community structure, but each has specific elements in common - all starting with a sense of purpose. There are four similar places on earth: Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula, Okinawa in Japan, the Greek island of Ikaria, as well as Loma Linda in California (though that one might just be due to its large population of Seventh-day Adventists and their healthy lifestyle). Try spending quality times with your loved ones. For the first time ever, the world's most prominent researchers shared their knowledge and most recent research on the topic of Blue Zones. 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. Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. Complex carbs provide the energy a person needs to get through the day. The Nicoya Peninsula has five cantons where middle-age morality is lowest and centenarians are the most abundant. Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula is a Blue Zone for long life | Enchanting 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. 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. Rice and black beans, gallo pinto, served with eggs and tropical fruit. Costa Rica Experts Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, Where to Find Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica, Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month, 11 Travel Mistakes To Avoid Before Your Trip, 8 Costa Rica Natural Mysteries You Have to See to Believe, 5 Common Misconceptions About Travel in Costa Rica, 10 Top Costa Rica Honeymoon Bungalows & Suites, 3 Costa Rica Hotels Made The Travel & Leisure Top 100 in the World List, Costa Rica Expert Interview with Aaron Daker: top destinations, new hotels, & best months to travel. We can start making healthier choices today, thus living more enriching lives and encouraging others to adopt similar healthy ways of living. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. The secret of Nicoya's Blue Zone | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica While Nicoyans start their day by eating a healthy breakfast, their diet is not the only secret to living long lives. 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. Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. Successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Nicoyan centenarians get frequent visits from neighbors. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. The agreement was signed by the Vice President of Costa Rica, Ana Helena Chacn, as well as ministries and institutions of the government and the mayors of the cantons of Nicoya Peninsula: Nandayure, Hojancha, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica'S Blue Zone Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. The world has a number of Blue Zones, areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. Everything You Need To Know About the Blue Zone in Costa Rica Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide. The Power of Nine is the name Buetnner has given to the characteristics that all Blue Zones seem to share. Nicoya - Wikipedia LIKED THIS? It helps them remain positive. Win-win! Due to the Nicoya Peninsula's location in Central America, the area has an abundance of warm days with tons of sunlight. Exploring the Blue Zones of Costa Rica: The Nicoya Peninsula Live longer with these dishes from 'blue zones' in America One of the world's Blue Zones is in Nicoya, Costa Rica. Why is Costa Rica a blue zone? - 2023 - fiosdl.hioctanefuel.com Nosara also has three beaches remote black sand Playa Nosara, Playa Guiones with some of Costa Ricas best surfing, and Playa Pelada for tide pools, blow holes, snorkeling, and swimming. If coming from San Jose, the easiest way to get to the Nicoya Peninsula is to take the ferry from Puntarenas. Lane reported isolation, alienation, and high rates of depression in Chicagos poorest neighborhoods as some of the reasons behind the high rates of COVID cases. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. Blue Zones Nicoya | Santa Cruz - Facebook This is why the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo) launched the Wellness Pura Vida country strategy, which seeks to position Costa Rica as a wellness destination with a difference, which offers unique, transforming experiences. 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. Tamarindo is also a great place for solo travelers. Nicoya is located far off in Northeastern Costa Rica. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. Why People Live So Long On Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula - TravelAwaits But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Some of the roads in Nicoyas interior and south arent paved, so the deeper you go into the peninsula the more you may prefer to fly (for example, its a 20-minute flight from San Jos to the tiny Tambor airport in the south). Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world!