why is nicoya, costa rica a blue zone

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. It helps them remain positive. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. Or, get your zen on at La Senda, the wellness center on a 74-acre forested property near Tamarindo. It is a template outlining the lifestyles of people who live in places like Nicoya, Costa Rica. 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. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. 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. 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. Brand Storytelling At Sundance: Championing Excellence And Filmmakers With Purpose, Profitable ECommerce Growth For CPGs Is In Reach. 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. Nicoya is located far off in Northeastern Costa Rica. Specifically, the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, where people have some of the longest lifespans in 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. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. All of the international experts agreed that the factors that make healthy longevity possible must be communicated worldwide, in order to reflect on the implications of Blue Zones, unique geographical areas with a high concentration of inhabitants who live to ninety or one hundred years of age, whose aging process is positive, and most importantly, deliberate and active. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. Book a transfer from your hotel, opt for a shuttle or public bus, or take a domestic flight to one of the peninsulas larger towns. Now is the time for cities like Chicago to learn from the five Blue Zones throughout the world like Nicoya, Costa Rica. A three-course farm-to-table dinner with a tour of the organic garden is available Mondays and Thursdays. 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. "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. O que so Zonas Azuis? 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. A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. . He then went on release a book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who Have Lived the Longest in 2008. Nicoyans often live more than 100 years and Nicoya boasts of the highest number of centenarians in the world. "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. Living Hotel partners with the Spacio spa, a five-minute walk away, which has several treatments geared to surfers. 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. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. 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. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. They find joy in everyday physical chores. The town of Nicoya is considered the oldest in Costa Rica, it is popularly known as "the colonial city". O segreto da Zona Azul de Nicoya. 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. So why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? A "Blue Zone" is a region of the world where people commonly live past the age of 100 years.In "Blue Zone Nicoya Peninsula", residents live even longer than those in other areas of Costa Rica. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. We do not need to wait for our cities of residence to adopt the principles for healthier living outlined in the Blue Zones Project. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. A hike from the town of Montezuma will bring you past several cooling-off pools on your way to the three cascades of this waterfall, perhaps the most visited one on the peninsula. Every morning, at dawn, before the men of Nicoya ride their horses through the mountains of the Costa Rican peninsula, they eat a healthy breakfast. Get some sensible sun. Poor communities are notorious for living in food deserts. 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. 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). When Dan Buettner introduced the concept of Blue Zones, he formed the Blue Zones Project. 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. Over the last several months, the world has mourned the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. Gone are the days of making your own food and growing organic produce. English is widely spoken and the town has lots of tourist infrastructure with a wide variety of restaurant and accommodation choices. There are other blue zones in California, Italy, Greece, and Japan. The traditional diet in the area is also notable. Rhuigi Villaseor Kept His Foot On The Gas. 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). In mid-November 2017, the first World Meeting of Blue Zones was held. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. 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. 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. Not long after, he began to lead trips to the first Blue Zones that he had discovered. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. Protein helps to rebuild and repair tissue, as well as it helps a person to feel full. As of now, there are 5 blue zones: Icaria, Greece. Your email address will not be published. And here are two great reports done that will give you a better understanding of the Nicoya people, area, and mindset. uma atrativa pergunta explica que os habitantes de Guanacaste e sim dvida contar com uma das cinco que existem no mundo um orgulho para todos os habitantes da provincia. 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. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have. Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. 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. Try spending quality times with your loved ones. Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. 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). Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. Healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family are another one of their keys to longevity. 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!) 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. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. 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). Wellness enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. 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. The forest here is more tropical than further north and is home to deer, pacas, monkeys, armadillos, laughing gulls, pelicans, frigates, and brown boobies. 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. They also practice good physical and mental health. 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. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. Read more below about the lessons that Nicoya, Costa Rica can teach you about longevity. 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. 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). 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. 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. The most southerly point is Cabo Blanco Reserve and the south coast also has the town of Tambor. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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). A stay at Nantipa will help you have a true Blue Zone adventure, especially if you book its transcendental wellness experience. Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. 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. 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." We're going to focus on the last one, mostly because it hits close to home. 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. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. I have been exploring the data reported by National Geographic and Dan Buettner in the Blue Zones Solution: . 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. However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. Barra Honda is on the peninsulas northeast about a half hours drive from the town of Nicoya. Go to a soda, thats the name of a small, local caf, and look for casado this popular dish is rice and beans served with vegetables and either fish or meat. 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. It is not unusual for several generations to gather on a regular basis for lively gatherings. I cant blame you. Adapting our lifestyles wherever we live to healthier practices such as intermittent fasting, walkability, exploring plant-based gastronomy, and low glycemic index food intake sound like your everyday doctors recipe for a healthy life, says Cedeno-Molinari. Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. The most popular towns to visit here are Montezuma and Santa Teresa. 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. Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. Buettner's studies on the Nicoya Peninsula revealed eight key factors that affect people's life expectancy. "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. For the first time ever, the world's most prominent researchers shared their knowledge and most recent research on the topic of Blue Zones. Costa Rica as a whole is a happy place. Many Nicoyans choose to walk from one destination to another instead of driving. 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. Many of us in Western countries know we need to eat less junk and add more natural food to our diets. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. Its name is due to the tribe that reigned prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 1520, it is said to come from the Nahuatlas words Nica, Necoclau or Necocyanh, which means surrounded by water. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Toss gently. This goes along with the decision to widen the country's tourism offerings and venture into industries with high potential, such as wellness tourism. 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. - save 10% Plus other perks . 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). 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). They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands, and they tend not to consume much meat. Also on offer are boat trips to the volcanic Tortuga Islands, where snorkelers might spot angelfish and porcupine fish, and theres a chance of seeing dolphins, manta and spotted eagle rays, and turtles on the way. The world has a number of Blue Zones, areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. There are common factors that exist in these populations, such as good physical and mental health, a healthy traditional diet, respect for the family, deep faith, constant mobility, and a purpose in life. 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. There will be a lot to learn and a lot to do to get back to a healthier normal. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. 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. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Currently, three emblematic examples of this Blue Zone include the centenarians Jos Bonifacio "Pachito" Villegas, from Pochote de Quebrada Honda, Nicoya, who rides a horse every day at age 100, Trinidad Espinoza, who recounts anecdotes from Costa Rica in the 1930s continuously while she feeds her chickens, and Dmaso Mendoza, age 102, who, on receiving a visitor, always talks about her years as a dancer and how she enjoys the company of the five generations of her family in Santa Ana de Beln, Carillo. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. While we may not increase the average life expectancy throughout the world we can use Nicoya as a template for healthier living. 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. I'm a Chief Metaverse Officer and a web3 luxury and fashion innovator. "The five cantons of the peninsula continue to appear with greater longevity and we've confirmed this everywhere we've investigated. Nicoya, Costa Rica A Latin American Blue Zone. It includes black beans, cooked plantains, fresh papaya, yams, squash, homemade corn tortillas, and fish (if near the coast). Nicoyans attribute much of their longevity to social values of faith and family. By TCRN STAFF October 5, 2022 528 0 Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine. Making the smart choice in traditional Blue Zones is often the only choice available, not really a choice at all. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. Its difficult to maintain family bonds and friendships when school and work take us far from home, into strange communities. Add the red onions, sliced radishes, tomatoes, orange supremes, cilantro and 3 tablespoons oil to the cabbage. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. Getting up in the air on tree canopy tours via ziplines and rope bridges is popular throughout Costa Rica. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. 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. Get your fill of fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, and passionfruit and vegetables and legumes like squash, cassava, plantain, yam, and beans. The expat community in Coco is generally older retirees, however, there are some younger expats running around. 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. This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). The reason why they are called "blue zones" is a curious story Nicoya, Costa Rica. When that day comes, Nicoyas Blue Zone will continue to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit. 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. Meaning, family ties are strong. Youre sure to be on the path to a long and healthy life after the four-handed Abundance Treatment, which combines Reiki, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, sound and aromatherapy, and acupressure. There are two trails for visitors and a pristine white sand beach. 1 - The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Warm, Sunny Climate. Because of this, they enjoy extremely low rates of heart disease. Are We Headed To A World In Which We Own Nothing? In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. 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. By encouraging Nicoyans belief community and sense of purpose through work, family, or nature, cities could help their poorest thrive. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. We have obtained information from Nicoya, Costa Rica on ways to live longer and be happier. The five blue zones are: Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Longevity then would not be a luxury only reserved for a few living in Blue Zones, but a reality for billions.. 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 . These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. The Nicoya Peninsula is in many ways isolated from the rest of Costa Rica due to geography. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. 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. 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. 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. The peninsula is one of the worlds five Blue Zones where many people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. This Central American nation isnt that far from the U.S. geographically, but it is way ahead of us in longevity.

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