Hi, my name is Mike Gillespie & I'm fundraising to help support the Blue Zone communities in Nicoya Costa Rica. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 One thing I found especially interesting is the idea that this long life span is dying out. 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. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. 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. 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. Still planning? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2008-2023 Law Dissertation Writing Services. This is due to key decisions the country has taken through its history that have positively affected its performance in social progress, environment, society and overall peace indicators, explains Daniel Valverde, Essential Costa Rica country brand director. Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica (its better for your digestion to eat a bigger breakfast and lunch and a lighter dinner). 3 International Psychedelic Retreats Poised To Take Wellness Travel Into the Future, The Most Romantic Couples Massages in Las Vegas, The 20 Happiest Countries in the World, 2022, What Its Like To Stay at Hilton Head Health, One of Americas Most Renowned Wellness Resorts, 5 Types of Meditation That Will Relieve Your Travel Stress, long-life characteristics of the Nicoya Peninsula, How To Move To Costa Rica and Live There on the Cheap, These Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park Basecamps, 8 of the Coolest Airbnbs Near Disney World, Orlando, 8 La Condesa Airbnbs To Settle Into Mexico Citys Coolest Neighborhood, The 11 Absolute Best Beaches in Costa Rica, This Luxury Hotel Has Transformed a Plane Into a Suite in the Costa Rican Jungle, A Guide To Feeling Your Best as a Plus-Size SpaGuest, The Best Airbnbs in Venice, From a Rialto Flat To a San Marco Studio, Download the Montezuma is great for long beach walks and jungle hikes. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Your email address will not be published. As of now, there are 5 blue zones: Icaria, Greece. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. The five blue zones are: Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Barrio La California, 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. 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). 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. ", For Belgian researcher Michel Poulain, one of the most important message of the World Meeting of Blue Zones is to tell the world that "Costa Rica has a treasure of longevity in the Nicoya Peninsula, that comes from the past generations, which has been built year by year. 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. Barra Honda is on the peninsulas northeast about a half hours drive from the town of Nicoya. Drain and pat the onions dry with paper towel. A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. Nicoya. Rooms have a mini fridge and theres a communal kitchen plus bikes to rent. 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. January 18, 2022 . Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. Access to natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables (stables of the Nicoyans) is difficult to come by. 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). 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.) Nearby are waterfalls at Montezuma, ziplining near the Cabo Blanco Reserve, and kite surfing. Healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family are another one of their keys to longevity. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. 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. Toss gently. Meaning, family ties are strong. 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. 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. 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. This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." 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. Your best bet might be finding a VRBO instead of a hotel. . 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. Protein helps to rebuild and repair tissue, as well as it helps a person to feel full. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. 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. Get some sensible sun. Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. 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. 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. Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. Theyre focused on sick care, and so the actual healthcare is often neglected, says Chaves. 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. 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. O que so Zonas Azuis? This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. It is believed that one factor which may contribute to the high number of Nicoyan centenarians is the high calcium content in the water. The Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone in Costa Rica, is renowned for its tranquil, laid-back ambiance. 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. Physical activity, diet, good mineral-rich water, friends, a satisfying job, eating light in the evening, and a "plan de vida" are the other aspects. This Central American nation isn't that far from the U.S. geographically, but it is way ahead of us in longevity. 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. My fourth investigation into exactly what our Blue Zone folks eat has left this dietitian, well, intrigued. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. Face-to-Face Conversations. 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. Specifically, the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, where people have some of the longest lifespans in the world. 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. The Nicoyan way of life can enlighten people to make choices that will help to increase their life expectancy. seen in blue zones. 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. They have been able to exceed their life expectancy and serve as an example for the entire world. The most amazing part about people who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica is that many of them live without medication or disability. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. 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. That is when brands, businesses and cities will be able to look at Blue Zones like the one in Nicoya and find a model to follow. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. 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). A three-course farm-to-table dinner with a tour of the organic garden is available Mondays and Thursdays. 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. First . 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. 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. In a few, unique communities around the globe, people live long and heathy lives, up to and past 100. I will be visiting Costa Rica next week to meet with Jorge who founded a local organization that helps the small Blue Zone villages. Despite that, the area has many of the same ideals that the rest of Costa Ricans have. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. 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. Offering barefoot luxury on Playa Langosta this family-owned boutique hotel is a 15-minute walk from downtown Tamarindo. 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. However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. Here you will find some of the most beautiful beaches and hotels in Costa Rica, along with lush tropical forests perfect for hiking or horseback riding. The forest here is more tropical than further north and is home to deer, pacas, monkeys, armadillos, laughing gulls, pelicans, frigates, and brown boobies. 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. Another option is to take the 75-minute ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas to Paquera. The world has a number of Blue Zones, areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. "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. The Nicoya Peninsula has five cantons where middle-age morality is lowest and centenarians are the most abundant. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. 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 gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula is the beach town of Tamarindo on the west coast, which is very popular with international travelers. San Jose, Costa Rica 10104. All Rights Reserved. Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. Many of us in Western countries know we need to eat less junk and add more natural food to our diets. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. By comparison, a person in the United States can reasonably expect to live to just 77, according to federal census data. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. 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. 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. Nantipa means blue in the language of the Chorotega people, some of the first known people to live in the Nicoya region. Alternatively, Blue. 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). They also practice good physical and mental health. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It was time for me to conquer the Nicoya Peninsula. Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine. 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. - save 10% Plus other perks . Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. For the first time ever, the world's most prominent researchers shared their knowledge and most recent research on the topic of Blue Zones. The most popular towns to visit here are Montezuma and Santa Teresa. 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. 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". There are other blue zones in California, Italy, Greece, and Japan. Are We Headed To A World In Which We Own Nothing? He has written numerous books on the topic, but I suggest starting with: Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen (a cookbook). Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. March 2nd, 2023. 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. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. The world has 5 recognized Blue Zones (as determined by the authority of National Geographic ). Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. It requires descending 17 yards down a ladder to see cave formations that resemble fried eggs, popcorn, roses, and shark teeth. Ministry of Health data indicate that life expectancy is nearly 80 years, which is the highest in Central America, according to the World Bank. For many the hope is that the lessons that these centenarians can teach us and the secrets of well-being and longevity that live in this extraordinary part of the world, will be able benefit all of humanity in the future. 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. 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. While Nicoyans start their day by eating a healthy breakfast, their diet is not the only secret to living long lives. Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. What are Blue Zones? Costa Rica is one of the few tropical countries where its safe to drink tap water even for foreigners and theres no need to buy plastic water bottles. 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. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. "The sense of community, shared purpose and celebration and appreciation for life in all its forms allows for a way of thriving that can even be seen today to have a connection to vitality and mitochondrial health." So why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? It's also an area identified as a "Blue Zone . This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. Everywhere you go in Costa Rica, youll hear pura vida! and soon feel the freedom to adopt the pura vida lifestyle yourself. 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). Modern Nicoyans roots to the indigenous Chorotega and their traditions have enabled them to remain relatively free of stress. Most people in this area never move. 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. For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or are overweight tend to have a more difficult time if they are infected by COVID-19. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. 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." Tamarindo is also a great place for solo travelers. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 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. Throughout Costa Rica, youll find vegetarian gallo pinto (rice and beans) served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner the name means spotted rooster because the black beans dot the rice. Sustainability is said to be a way of life, and Costa Rica has actually reversed deforestation; protects more than a quarter of its landmass via 29 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, and eight biological reserves; gets 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, and aims to be completely decarbonized by 2050.