Fish is a lean protein and provides oils which help with overall brain function. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Where are the world's Blue Zones located? Research shows that 30% of longevity comes from genes, and the remaining 70% from lifestyle. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. We are always happy to help you out! 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. 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. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. 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. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. In the Nicoya Peninsula, the water is particularly rich in calcium and magnesium which studies show is good for cardiovascular health and preventing cancer. 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. 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. Theyre focused on sick care, and so the actual healthcare is often neglected, says Chaves. 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. But we must also consider the impact of our individual health and lifestyle choices on future generations. Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. What are Blue Zones? 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!) At the southern tip of the peninsula is Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Costa Rica indeed does celebrate its elderly citizens; every person who has a 100 th birthday is . 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. 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. Costa Rica Tourism Board, Institutional Site, Costa Rica Convention Center, Promotional Site, Costa Rica Tourism Board | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map. He worked with several notable anthropolgists, dieticians, historians, and geneticists to identify and further understand what contributes to a long lifespan. It remains to be seen if the COVID pandemic will affect that average. howler and white face monkeys, red variegated squirrels, sloths, anteaters, raccoon-like coatis, butterflies, plus some 900 bird species including the fiery-billed aracari toucan and the rufous-tailed hummingbird. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. So why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? 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. 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. To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! 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. 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. 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 information and example set by the inhabitants of the Blue Zone of Nicoya are highly valuable, and some of the life habits can be emulated, planting a blue seed throughout the country. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? 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). O segreto da Zona Azul de Nicoya. Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Health, this region will be painted blue for many years to come, as over 900 people over 90 have been recorded, along with over 5,000 inhabitants over 75, the majority of whom enjoy good health in their old age. Meaning, family ties are strong. These cantons are: Carillo, Hojancha, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Nandoyure. 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. The template laid out in the Blue Zones Project: natural foods, daily movement, community, and sense of purpose, can help anyone develop stronger immune systems, so they can live healthier and longer lives. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. 4. 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 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. However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. Learn more about typical diet with our Guide to Costa Rican Food. By TCRN STAFF October 5, 2022 528 0 Buettner's studies on the Nicoya Peninsula revealed eight key factors that affect people's life expectancy. 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). One of the five designated blue zones in the world, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica features residents who live even longer than those in the rest of the country. 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. So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. We have obtained information from Nicoya, Costa Rica on ways to live longer and be happier. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Peninsula is covered by spectacular beaches that host nature's best. Inadequate calcium means weak muscles -- including the heart. Thanks to the peninsula's reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. They typically do not consume a lot of meat. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. "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. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. 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. 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". LIKED THIS? If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. The term first emerged in 2005 in a Nation Geographic magazine cover, "The Secrets of a Long Life.". Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. 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." 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. Living Hotel partners with the Spacio spa, a five-minute walk away, which has several treatments geared to surfers. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known. It would be hard to imagine two more different places than free-wheeling Costa Rica and legally rigid Singapore, yet both are among the happiest places on earth. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In mid-November 2017, the first World Meeting of Blue Zones was held. Barra Honda is on the peninsulas northeast about a half hours drive from the town of Nicoya. 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. Contents1 Is Costa Rica considered [] Or, get your zen on at La Senda, the wellness center on a 74-acre forested property near Tamarindo. What are Blue Zones? A "Blue Zone" is an area of the world where it is typical for people to live past 100 years old. 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. Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Are We Headed To A World In Which We Own Nothing? Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Long-living creatures like sea turtles are frequent visitors to the Blue Zone too. It is a template outlining the lifestyles of people who live in places like Nicoya, Costa Rica. obesity, or heart disease. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Costa Rica as a whole is a happy place. 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. 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. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. 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). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Costa Rica is known for its pura vida lifestyle and attitude. Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. Try spending quality times with your loved ones. 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. Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. On today's podcast, Gina does some serious myth-busting about what has kept the centenarians so well, for so long. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. Drain and pat the onions dry with paper towel. However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. 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. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. For more information read our privacy policy. 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. 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. Guest Writer for Wake Up World. They find joy in everyday physical chores. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. Many believe it will be through the cutting-edge innovations of regenerative medicine that the privileges of the Blue Zones can be democratized, so that anyone, anywhere, and at any time has access to the technology that allows us to replenish, replace and rejuvenate our physical bodies., What weve witnessed during 2020 are healthcare systems around the world that are reactive, bureaucratic, inefficient, and saturated. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. It is also one of the world's Blue Zones. A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. The Tortuga Islands are offshore and are a frequent destination for snorkeling trips, even from other parts of the peninsula. 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. Community. The most southerly point is Cabo Blanco Reserve and the south coast also has the town of Tambor. 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. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. The world has a number of Blue Zones, areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. The peninsula is one of the worlds five Blue Zones where many people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. Who knows, maybe it will change your life! Beyond this context, however, the health authorities are taking measures to help Costa Ricans reach over 80 years of age in good health. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. Santa Teresa is great for surfing and enjoying a small but vibrant town with a backpacker vibe. March 2nd, 2023. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. 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.