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.) Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a Central American Caribbean nation that boasts economic security and excellent health care. It is not unusual for several generations to gather on a regular basis for lively gatherings. Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. Who knows, maybe it will change your life! March 2nd, 2023. 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. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. The gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula is the beach town of Tamarindo on the west coast, which is very popular with international travelers. 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. Swimming holes dot the peninsula too, including beneath the Montezuma waterfall. They have groups of friend with whom they share healthy habits.". These include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece, and you guessed it; Nicoya, Costa Rica. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. The most popular towns to visit here are Montezuma and Santa Teresa. 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. Pura vida means pure or simple life and Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula has what you could call extreme pura vida. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. And here are two great reports done that will give you a better understanding of the Nicoya people, area, and mindset. Try our meal idea that reflects elements of the Nicoyan Peninsula Blue Zoners' diet. 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. Inadequate calcium means weak muscles -- including the heart. Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! If coming from San Jose, the easiest way to get to the Nicoya Peninsula is to take the ferry from Puntarenas. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. seen in blue zones. This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Buettner had spent several years before penning the article leading expeditions including tracing Darwin's route in the Galapagos and Marco Polo's trip along the Silk Road. The reason why they are called "blue zones" is a curious story For those who want to explore the peninsula at their own pace, renting a car might be best (you can use your home countrys drivers license for a maximum of three months). They wake up. Also, the environment just exudes joy. Everywhere you go in Costa Rica, youll hear pura vida! and soon feel the freedom to adopt the pura vida lifestyle yourself. 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 . 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. 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. Nicoya is located far off in Northeastern Costa Rica. 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. 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. "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. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. A nine-hole golf course is a mile away. Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide. 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. All rights reserved. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average lifespan is 85 among the world's highest. Lane reasons why Chicago should use the Blue Zones template to improve the lives of people who live there. Famous for its gorgeous Pacific Coast beaches and well known for its surfing, wellness, yoga, and vibrant sunsets, the Nicoya peninsula is a paradise for the mind, body, and soul. If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. Is the Nicoya Peninsula good for a Wellness getaway? You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." The world has a number of 'Blue Zones', areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. 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. Get some sensible sun. By TCRN STAFF October 5, 2022 528 0 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 . "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. They first noticed that people in several villages on the Italian island of Sardinia were living well into their 90s and 100s and that they had few significant mental or physical health problems. 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. This Central American nation isnt that far from the U.S. geographically, but it is way ahead of us in longevity. 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. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. It includes black beans, cooked plantains, fresh papaya, yams, squash, homemade corn tortillas, and fish (if near the coast). These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. 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. Buettner approached National Geograhic with his idea and they agreed to help fund his research. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. 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. 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). Soltara Healing Center is located on the calm and pristine Gulf of Nicoya in the mountainous jungle of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. 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. So, Nicoya is another blue zone in the world alongside Okinawa (Japan), Cerdea (Italia), Icaria (Greece) and Loma Linda (California). Dan discovered five places where residents have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. It remains to be seen if the COVID pandemic will affect that average. 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. Wildlife is abundant. Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. 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. Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. Nicoya, Costa Rica A Latin American Blue Zone. For one, Costa Rica is a small country and most people never move away from the area they were born in. 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. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. Your email address will not be published. The world has 5 recognized Blue Zones (as determined by the authority of National Geographic ). If you want to get underground, Barra Honda National Park has a system of 42 caves and you can explore Terciopelo Cave on a tour. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. And a breakfast rich with antioxidants helps to protect a persons cells from disease. ", 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. Modern Nicoyans roots to the indigenous Chorotega and their traditions have enabled them to remain relatively free of stress. El propsito de la compaa es promover y crear conciencia sobre el consumo de productos de alta calidad, con valor nutricional y . Nicoyans attribute much of their longevity to social values of faith and family. 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. Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Nantipa means blue in the language of the Chorotega people, some of the first known people to live in the Nicoya region. Costa Rica is known for its pura vida lifestyle and attitude. Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. Sardinia, Italy. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. Offering barefoot luxury on Playa Langosta this family-owned boutique hotel is a 15-minute walk from downtown Tamarindo. However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. 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 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'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. 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. My fourth investigation into exactly what our Blue Zone folks eat has left this dietitian, well, intrigued. Some sea turtles have even lived to age 150. 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. That means family ties are the backbone for most peoples existence. The Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, in addition to aligning with our Wellness Pura Vida strategy, are important as a driver of wellness tourism throughout the country, highlighting the importance of creating authentic travel experiences. Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. Montezuma is great for long beach walks and jungle hikes. 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. Barrio La California, People often consider the impact of global decisions on future generations through legislation. According to Buettner's studies, the Nicoya Peninsula has the world's lowest rates of middle-age mortality and the second highest convergence of male centenarians. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average life span is 85among the world's highest. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. Staples of the traditional Nicoya diet include homemade corn tortillas, black beans, white rice, a variety of squash, yams, papaya, bananas, and pejibayes. To understand some of the reasons why Blue-Zoners live healthier, longer lives, let's take another look at Ricardo's daily routine. Its difficult to maintain family bonds and friendships when school and work take us far from home, into strange communities. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. Nearby are waterfalls at Montezuma, ziplining near the Cabo Blanco Reserve, and kite surfing. He then went on release a book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who Have Lived the Longest in 2008. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. It is fascinating to see which factors play into long lifespan including how you can emulate this lifestyle. Face-to-Face Conversations. It is also one of the world's Blue Zones. Most people in this area never move. 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. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. Making the smart choice in traditional Blue Zones is often the only choice available, not really a choice at all. Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. "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." If you want to really embrace the Nicoya Peninsula blue zone vibe, head to any small village in the area. Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). The Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone in Costa Rica, is renowned for its tranquil, laid-back ambiance. 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. Nicoyans often live more than 100 years and Nicoya boasts of the highest number of centenarians in the world. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. 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. Oftentimes, this helps maintain healthy and supportive relationships within their communities, and develop a strong sense of faith and purpose along the way. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. All of our step by step Costa Rica planning tips in one spot. 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). It is believed that one factor which may contribute to the high number of Nicoyan centenarians is the high calcium content in the water. Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. Over the last several months, the world has mourned the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. 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. 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. The expat community in Coco is generally older retirees, however, there are some younger expats running around. We have obtained information from Nicoya, Costa Rica on ways to live longer and be happier. Its one of our favorite places in Costa Rica and most likely where we would move if we ever moved to the beach. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. One thing I found especially interesting is the idea that this long life span is dying out. Are We Headed To A World In Which We Own Nothing? Gone are the days of making your own food and growing organic produce. Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica (its better for your digestion to eat a bigger breakfast and lunch and a lighter dinner). People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or are overweight tend to have a more difficult time if they are infected by COVID-19. 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. Specifically, the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, where people have some of the longest lifespans in the world. Theyre focused on sick care, and so the actual healthcare is often neglected, says Chaves. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Barra Honda is on the peninsulas northeast about a half hours drive from the town of Nicoya. 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. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. Thanks to the peninsula's reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. Another option is to take the 75-minute ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas to Paquera. Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . 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. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. This Blue Zone is in the mountains of the Nicoyan Peninsula in western Costa Rica. I'm a Chief Metaverse Officer and a web3 luxury and fashion innovator. Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Longevity then would not be a luxury only reserved for a few living in Blue Zones, but a reality for billions.. These centenarians help teach us the value of those important little things," said Mauricio Ventura, Minister of Tourism, with pride. Changing the American diet and culture around the food we eat can help save lives. 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. Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. What are Blue Zones? 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. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa.
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