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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. 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. Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. It includes black beans, cooked plantains, fresh papaya, yams, squash, homemade corn tortillas, and fish (if near the coast). We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. He has written numerous books on the topic, but I suggest starting with: Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen (a cookbook). Because of this, they enjoy extremely low rates of heart disease. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. We have a full guide to the ferry here. Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. Most people in this area never move. Required fields are marked *, car rental deal! The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. 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. This is a BETA experience. Due to the Nicoya Peninsula's location in Central America, the area has an abundance of warm days with tons of sunlight. 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). 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. 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. The best way we can mourn those lives lost is to honor them by creating a better future for our children, their children, and their childrens children by making healthier choices now. Now I was excited to roam off the beaten path into a world-famous Nicoya Peninsula blue zone. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have. Nearby is the Barra Honda National Park with its caves, the Monte Alto Nature Reserve where a variety of orchids grow, and other natural reserves where you can see wildlife. 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. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. When Dan Buettner introduced the concept of Blue Zones, he formed the Blue Zones Project. 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. Sardinia, Italy. The Blue Zone of the Nicoya Peninsula stands out for the beauty of its landscapes, its tourist attractions, and its conservation areas, but above all, for the stories told by the long-lived inhabitants of the region, who have exceeded the life expectancy in Costa Rica and continue to be lucid and active, and who enjoy long, healthy lives. 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. 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? This is why the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo) launched the Wellness Pura Vida country strategy, which seeks to position Costa Rica as a wellness destination with a difference, which offers unique, transforming experiences. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). "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. Its one of our favorite places in Costa Rica and most likely where we would move if we ever moved to the beach. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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!) Try spending quality times with your loved ones. Lane reasons why Chicago should use the Blue Zones template to improve the lives of people who live there. 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 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. Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? English is widely spoken and the town has lots of tourist infrastructure with a wide variety of restaurant and accommodation choices. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula is the beach town of Tamarindo on the west coast, which is very popular with international travelers. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! 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). About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. 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 why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? The five blue zones are: Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Rooms have a mini fridge and theres a communal kitchen plus bikes to rent. 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. 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. What are Blue Zones? I had visited the famous Costa Rica "must-see" spots - Arenal, Manuel Antonio, the cloud forest, the Osa Peninsula - some of them a few times. There will be a lot to learn and a lot to do to get back to a healthier normal. There are two trails for visitors and a pristine white sand beach. Meat, fish, and poultry only make up 5% of the usual diet. They typically do not consume a lot of meat. These include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece, and you guessed it; Nicoya, Costa Rica. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! We are always happy to help you out! Costa Rica as a whole is a happy place. For one, Costa Rica is a small country and most people never move away from the area they were born in. Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. The beautiful view of the beaches may also have a hand in this. 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. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! The Nicoya Peninsula has five cantons where middle-age morality is lowest and centenarians are the most abundant. Stir in two chopped plum tomatoes, half of a finely chopped onion and one . This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. 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. These regions are considered Blue Zones. In other words, it lives longer than the average global life expectancy. We do not need to wait for our cities of residence to adopt the principles for healthier living outlined in the Blue Zones Project. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. The town of Nicoya is considered the oldest in Costa Rica, it is popularly known as "the colonial city". It requires descending 17 yards down a ladder to see cave formations that resemble fried eggs, popcorn, roses, and shark teeth. Getting up in the air on tree canopy tours via ziplines and rope bridges is popular throughout Costa Rica. 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. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. 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 Tortuga Islands are offshore and are a frequent destination for snorkeling trips, even from other parts of the peninsula. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. Try cutting out some meat and replacing it with fresh vegetables and fruit. Specifically, the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, where people have some of the longest lifespans in the world. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. 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. For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . You can design your own holistic retreat too, choosing from a Kirtan sound bath, detox program, cacao ceremony, blue clay treatment, drum circles, and more. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. Win-win! It is a template outlining the lifestyles of people who live in places like Nicoya, Costa Rica. You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." 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. They also practice good physical and mental health. A research team is currently researching the . 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. This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. 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. 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. There are several theories about why the Blue Zone of Costa Rica exists, but the most likely explanation is that it is due to a combination of factors. The Adobe Rent-A-Car discount includes.. DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE USAGE WITH UNLIMITED DATA. The peak nesting time is from August to November and in the days before a new moon, thousands of turtles congregate in the Pacific waiting for the perfect time to come ashore and dig a hole to lay their eggs. The surroundings dictate ways of operating, not personal decisions. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. 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. This is an excerpt fromBlue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longestby Dan Buettner, copyright 2008, all rights reserved. People often consider the impact of global decisions on future generations through legislation. That means family ties are the backbone for most peoples existence. So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. 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. Successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It consists of 100 recipes with ingredients used by those who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica and the other four Blue Zones. Thanks to the peninsulas reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. 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. 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. January 18, 2022 . "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. Look for howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots and parakeets, and bigger birds like herons and hawks. 4. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Wildlife is abundant. 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. These cantons are: Carillo, Hojancha, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Nandoyure. 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. Gone are the days of making your own food and growing organic produce. 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. What we can incorporate about Nicoya into our culture is the sense of purpose Nicoyans enjoy. 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. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica (its better for your digestion to eat a bigger breakfast and lunch and a lighter dinner). Costa Rica Tourism Board, Institutional Site, Costa Rica Convention Center, Promotional Site, Costa Rica Tourism Board | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map. Also, calcium is important for bones. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more.