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. This goes along with the decision to widen the country's tourism offerings and venture into industries with high potential, such as wellness tourism. There are plenty of good-for-you activities to keep you busy on the Nicoya Peninsula jump in the water with a surfboard or snorkel, get up high on a zipline, stretch out with a yoga class, or take a hike (call it forest bathing if you wish) in a nature reserve. 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." Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! The international attendees also included Dan Buettner, a reporter and researcher for National Geographic, who has been responsible for popularizing the concept of Blue Zones through the publication of various articles and best-selling books that explore the direct connection between this issue and diet, spirituality, purpose in life and physical exercise, with happiness as a cross-cutting element. For one, Costa Rica is a small country and most people never move away from the area they were born in. 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 Tortuga Islands are offshore and are a frequent destination for snorkeling trips, even from other parts of the peninsula. Blue Zones Nicoya desarrolla alimentos, bebidas y suplementos inspirados en los centenarios de la. While starting the day off with rice and beans may not be an ideal breakfast for most people, the key to a healthy breakfast is one rich with protein, complex carbs, and antioxidants (minus the preservatives). 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. Successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose. The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. Down on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica's Blue Zone, visitors can book into a yoga retreat, eat freshly caught fish, go surfing and ride horses along the beach. Demographers have identified the area, located on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast, as a Blue Zone or "longevity hot spot," typified by a higher-than-normal number of people living past the age of one hundred. This trend has been here for many years, but I was the one to notice this special feature in the data," said Bixby, a pioneer in longevity research. 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. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. Wellness enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. 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. The proper mindset about longevity is not about aspiring to live to a very old age, but to enjoy the best quality of life possible during the last ten years we live, says Alvaro Cedeno-Molinari, a former Costa Rican diplomat and ambassador who works intensely promoting bioliteracy, regeneration, and well-being as holistic healthy mindsets. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide. "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. 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. 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. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. 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. 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. Longevity then would not be a luxury only reserved for a few living in Blue Zones, but a reality for billions.. Not long after, he began to lead trips to the first Blue Zones that he had discovered. 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. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. Getting up in the air on tree canopy tours via ziplines and rope bridges is popular throughout Costa Rica. Your email address will not be published. None of these staples are processed, and because all of these foods are locally grown they are not faced with genetically modified or pesticide laden produce. In the Nicoya Peninsula, the water is particularly rich in calcium and magnesium which studies show is good for cardiovascular health and preventing cancer. Drain and pat the onions dry with paper towel. Would you like to visit the Nicoya Peninsula? These include Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece . Stir in two chopped plum tomatoes, half of a finely chopped onion and one . Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. Now is the time for cities like Chicago to learn from the five Blue Zones throughout the world like Nicoya, Costa Rica. Get your fill of fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, and passionfruit and vegetables and legumes like squash, cassava, plantain, yam, and beans. 1 - The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. He has written numerous books on the topic, but I suggest starting with: Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen (a cookbook). 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. You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." One is the plan de vida, or reason to live, which propels a positive outlook among elders and helps keep them active. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. Toss gently. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, The world has a number of Blue Zones, areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. For Priscila Chaves, a Costa Rican social tech-entrepreneur and ethics thought leader, the question that still stands is, how can we translate these apparent otherworldly effects, to the rest of us? O que so Zonas Azuis? One of the world's Blue Zones is in Nicoya, Costa Rica. Read more below about the lessons that Nicoya, Costa Rica can teach you about longevity. For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . Eco-tourism is a natural must in this out-of-this-world scenario, where everything that happens is in a quiet, lovely pace. Because of this, they enjoy extremely low rates of heart disease. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. These regions are considered Blue Zones. Nicoya is located far off in Northeastern Costa Rica. It consists of 100 recipes with ingredients used by those who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica and the other four Blue Zones. 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. WED LOVE IF YOUD ADD IT ON PINTEREST! 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. Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have. 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). 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. 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). When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. I'm a Chief Metaverse Officer and a web3 luxury and fashion innovator. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. 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. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. But the simplest truth is that what one needs is to sleep eight hours every night, eat a nutritious, plant-based diet during a six-hour period to give your pancreas an 18-hour break until your next meal, and be at peace with everything and everyone all of the time, he adds. 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. The most amazing part about people who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica is that many of them live without medication or disability. 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. Plantains are high in potassium, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. The waters around the Nicoya Peninsula are also home to several species of fish including tuna and red snapper. My fourth investigation into exactly what our Blue Zone folks eat has left this dietitian, well, intrigued. Pura vida means pure or simple life and Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula has what you could call extreme pura vida. 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. Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. 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. There are 5 Blue Zones around the world, one of which is located on the Nicoya Peninsula; the others on the list are Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Loma Linda in the United States, and Icaria, in Greece. Black beans contain high doses of antioxidants and they are eaten for almost every meal among Nicoyans (and most Costa Ricans). Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. Meat, fish, and poultry only make up 5% of the usual diet. A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . 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. Meaning, family ties are strong. Throughout the world, the average life expectancy is 71 years of age (70 for males and 72 for females). The peninsula is one of the worlds five Blue Zones where many people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. Personally, I find that a combination of a healthy diet, exercise, and social contact all help lower my stress; which is crucial in a long life span. The Adventists are praying. 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. Tamarindo is also a great place for solo travelers. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. Let's start with our home - the Nicoya Peninsula.This tropical region in the north west of Costa Rica, has the world's lowest rate of middle-aged mortality, and the second highest amount of men over 100 years of age. 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. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). The concept of Blue Zones came from a series of demographic and statistical projects led by Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain, but they were made famous worldwide by the research work of journalist Dan Buettner, along with a team from National Geographic and the publication of his book, The Blue Zones. It helps them remain positive. 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). Is the Nicoya Peninsula good for a Wellness getaway? 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. 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. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! When on vacation in Costa Rica, its also easy to pick up Blue Zone habits like getting regular outdoor exercise and a good nights sleep (though be sure to go to bed early if you want to do your sun salutations at actual sunrise). Also, calcium is important for bones. And a breakfast rich with antioxidants helps to protect a persons cells from disease. Inadequate calcium means weak muscles -- including the heart. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. Long-living creatures like sea turtles are frequent visitors to the Blue Zone too. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This is an excerpt fromBlue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longestby Dan Buettner, copyright 2008, all rights reserved. seen in blue zones. To understand some of the reasons why Blue-Zoners live healthier, longer lives, let's take another look at Ricardo's daily routine. A stay at Nantipa will help you have a true Blue Zone adventure, especially if you book its transcendental wellness experience. It is a template outlining the lifestyles of people who live in places like Nicoya, Costa Rica. Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. Located on the Guanacaste Peninsula in northwestern Costa Rica, Nicoya is a rural, beachside, blue-zone community. 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). Lane cites the impact of COVID-19 on minorities like Blacks and Hispanics throughout Chicago. The way Nicoyans choose to live their lives gives us a template from which we can learn to improve our health and find our sense of purpose. So, Nicoya is another blue zone in the world alongside Okinawa (Japan), Cerdea (Italia), Icaria (Greece) and Loma Linda (California). Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. As indicated by the World Health Organization, "active or positive aging is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age". El propsito de la compaa es promover y crear conciencia sobre el consumo de productos de alta calidad, con valor nutricional y . He then went on release a book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who Have Lived the Longest in 2008. 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. O segreto da Zona Azul de Nicoya. If coming from San Jose, the easiest way to get to the Nicoya Peninsula is to take the ferry from Puntarenas. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. We hope you love the Blue Zone Costa Rica stays we recommend. It is fascinating to see which factors play into long lifespan including how you can emulate this lifestyle. Your email address will not be published. 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 "Blue Zone" is an area of the world where it is typical for people to live past 100 years old. Still planning? The Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone in Costa Rica, is renowned for its tranquil, laid-back ambiance. Do you have any questions about the Costa Rica Blue Zone? The Power of Nine is the name Buetnner has given to the characteristics that all Blue Zones seem to share. This Blue Zone is in the mountains of the Nicoyan Peninsula in western Costa Rica. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. 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. "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. After living there for four years I have my own theories as to what makes people so happy, and in turn have a longer life span. Conzcanos. Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. They are places where people get around by walking more than by car, they eat more plants than meat, and a diet that includes beans or grains such as corn, where the family is their number one purpose. Beyond this context, however, the health authorities are taking measures to help Costa Ricans reach over 80 years of age in good health. Staples of the traditional Nicoya diet include homemade corn tortillas, black beans, white rice, a variety of squash, yams, papaya, bananas, and pejibayes. Gone are the days of making your own food and growing organic produce. There will be a lot to learn and a lot to do to get back to a healthier normal. Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. Costa Rica Tourism Board, Institutional Site, Costa Rica Convention Center, Promotional Site, Costa Rica Tourism Board | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map. Research shows that 30% of longevity comes from genes, and the remaining 70% from lifestyle. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). We have a full guide to the ferry here. My Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Retreat. We're going to focus on the last one, mostly because it hits close to home. Its one of our favorite places in Costa Rica and most likely where we would move if we ever moved to the beach. Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. 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. LIKED THIS? 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 . To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! It definitely runs contrary to what was written up about the Nicoya people in "The Blue Zones." In that book, their diet was characterized as primarily vegetarian. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. 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). 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. 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. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Now I was excited to roam off the beaten path into a world-famous Nicoya Peninsula blue zone. He added that "we must somehow emulate, duplicate or copy the lifestyle of centenarians, and their way of living, but above all, their environment, diet, activity; above all, the connections they make, human connections, not technological ones. Some sea turtles have even lived to age 150. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average lifespan is 85 among the world's highest. 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. The climate in the Blue Zone is very mild, which may help to protect against diseases. Dubbed "blue zones," residents of these areas share a common environment and lifestyle that . They typically do not consume a lot of meat. 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. Fish is a lean protein and provides oils which help with overall brain function. But we must also consider the impact of our individual health and lifestyle choices on future generations. 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. Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a Central American Caribbean nation that boasts economic security and excellent health care. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? When Dan Buettner introduced the concept of Blue Zones, he formed the Blue Zones Project. However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. Its difficult to maintain family bonds and friendships when school and work take us far from home, into strange communities. 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. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. 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 . Thanks to the peninsula's reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. Nicoyans attribute much of their longevity to social values of faith and family. 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. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In a few, unique communities around the globe, people live long and heathy lives, up to and past 100. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers.

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