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). 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. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In other words, it lives longer than the average global life expectancy. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. LIKED THIS? 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 . Because of this, they enjoy extremely low rates of heart disease. Now, visiting Nicoya doesnt mean youll automatically live to 100, but a trip there is likely to put you on the path to pure life thanks to its natural environment and abundance of healthy activities. Complex carbs provide the energy a person needs to get through the day. And here are two great reports done that will give you a better understanding of the Nicoya people, area, and mindset. 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. The Adobe Rent-A-Car discount includes.. DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE USAGE WITH UNLIMITED DATA. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. Blue zones are regions where some of the oldest and healthiest people live. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Poor communities are notorious for living in food deserts. One thing I found especially interesting is the idea that this long life span is dying out. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. 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. 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). Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. He cautions though that one of the reasons Nicoyas centenarians live so long is that they dont have high incomes, which means theyve had to do physical labor since they were young, their meals are light and mainly of vegetables and legumes, and they cant afford a lot of protein or processed foods. Do you ever wish you could know the secrets to a long and happy life? This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. Read more below about the lessons that Nicoya, Costa Rica can teach you about longevity. By TCRN STAFF October 5, 2022 528 0 What are Blue Zones? Most people in this area never move. mobile app. 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. Let's start with our home - the Nicoya Peninsula.This tropical region in the north west of Costa Rica, has the world's lowest rate of middle-aged mortality, and the second highest amount of men over 100 years of age. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. On the peninsulas southeast coast is Tambor, with Nicoyas most southerly airport. 4. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. Soltara Healing Center is located on the calm and pristine Gulf of Nicoya in the mountainous jungle of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. Lane reasons why Chicago should use the Blue Zones template to improve the lives of people who live there. The forest here is more tropical than further north and is home to deer, pacas, monkeys, armadillos, laughing gulls, pelicans, frigates, and brown boobies. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. Nantipa means blue in the language of the Chorotega people, some of the first known people to live in the Nicoya region. For those who might need some meal ideas, Dan Buettner, wrote the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. 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. The chance to do yoga in an open-air pavilion on the beach is not to be missed! Imagine yourself in a future not-so-distant, where more conscious lifestyle decisions you make at an individual level, are supported by a branch of medicine that attempts to change the course of diseases and regenerates failing parts of our bodies. 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. One Nicoyan, a centenarian, said he knew death would eventually come for him but it is the love for his children that motivates him to keep going every day. 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 surroundings dictate ways of operating, not personal decisions. 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. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. 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. They embrace the relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle and family always comes first. If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. He finished, stating emphatically "please keep it and put the new generation on the same line in the treasure of this Blue Zone.". "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. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. Still planning? 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). Are We Headed To A World In Which We Own Nothing? It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Tamarindo is also a great place for solo travelers. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. 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. 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. They have groups of friend with whom they share healthy habits.". The beautiful view of the beaches may also have a hand in this. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. This is an excerpt fromBlue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longestby Dan Buettner, copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These include Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece . 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). 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. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. I mean, how can you not be happy when the average daily temperature is 85 degrees fahrenheit, you can easily get to the beach or jungle, and youre surrounded by an abundance of nature and wildlife? Plantains are high in potassium, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. The waters around the Nicoya Peninsula are also home to several species of fish including tuna and red snapper. These places are full of one-hundred-year-olds who have reached such like live wires, not in bed or in hospital. 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 . The Peninsula is covered by spectacular beaches that host nature's best. Lane cites the impact of COVID-19 on minorities like Blacks and Hispanics throughout Chicago. My fourth investigation into exactly what our Blue Zone folks eat has left this dietitian, well, intrigued. We know we should include exercise into all parts of our lives (not just an hour at the gym). 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. He worked with several notable anthropolgists, dieticians, historians, and geneticists to identify and further understand what contributes to a long lifespan. 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. I'm a Chief Metaverse Officer and a web3 luxury and fashion innovator. By comparison, a person in the United States can reasonably expect to live to just 77, according to federal census data. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A three-course farm-to-table dinner with a tour of the organic garden is available Mondays and Thursdays. Research shows that 30% of longevity comes from genes, and the remaining 70% from lifestyle. Add the red onions, sliced radishes, tomatoes, orange supremes, cilantro and 3 tablespoons oil to the cabbage. I also suggest watching his TED Talk. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. 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. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. The town of Nicoya is considered the oldest in Costa Rica, it is popularly known as "the colonial city". Now is the time for cities like Chicago to learn from the five Blue Zones throughout the world like Nicoya, Costa Rica. 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. While we may not increase the average life expectancy throughout the world we can use Nicoya as a template for healthier living. Moais are a powerful social tradition that create feelings of belonging, purpose and security. Or, get your zen on at La Senda, the wellness center on a 74-acre forested property near Tamarindo. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! And a breakfast rich with antioxidants helps to protect a persons cells from disease. 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 option is to take the 75-minute ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas to Paquera. El propsito de la compaa es promover y crear conciencia sobre el consumo de productos de alta calidad, con valor nutricional y . 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. The most popular towns to visit here are Montezuma and Santa Teresa. 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. However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. It consists of 100 recipes with ingredients used by those who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica and the other four Blue Zones. 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. 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. 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. It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! Try cutting out some meat and replacing it with fresh vegetables and fruit. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average life span is 85among the world's highest. It is fascinating to see which factors play into long lifespan including how you can emulate this lifestyle. It requires descending 17 yards down a ladder to see cave formations that resemble fried eggs, popcorn, roses, and shark teeth. It is believed that one factor which may contribute to the high number of Nicoyan centenarians is the high calcium content in the water. You may opt-out by. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. 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. 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. The climate in the Blue Zone is very mild, which may help to protect against diseases. 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. 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. Nicoya. The Nicoya Peninsula is on Costa Ricas north Pacific coast. 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. 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. Pura vida means pure or simple life and Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula has what you could call extreme pura vida. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. 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). This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. The Adventists are praying. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! I will be visiting Costa Rica next week to meet with Jorge who founded a local organization that helps the small Blue Zone villages. The Nicoya Peninsula is in many ways isolated from the rest of Costa Rica due to geography. Conzcanos. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. These characteristics are: Despite this, it is believed that 30% of a long healthy life comes from genes and 70% is based on lifestyle. 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. Costa Rica as a whole is a happy place. Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. They also practice good physical and mental health. Actually, it is home. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. 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. For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! If we can harness that, we can hopefully improve the health of future generations. Win-win! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Thanks to the peninsula's reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. "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 one, Costa Rica is a small country and most people never move away from the area they were born in. 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. 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. Sign up for theBLUE ZONES free weekly email where webring youexclusive interviews, cutting edge longevity news, and fresh tips for living longer, better. Over the last several months, the world has mourned the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. 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. Staples of the traditional Nicoya diet include homemade corn tortillas, black beans, white rice, a variety of squash, yams, papaya, bananas, and pejibayes. "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." As of now, there are 5 blue zones: Icaria, Greece. Dubbed "blue zones," residents of these areas share a common environment and lifestyle that . 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. Look for howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots and parakeets, and bigger birds like herons and hawks. I cant blame you. 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. The world has a number of 'Blue Zones', areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. If you want to really embrace the Nicoya Peninsula blue zone vibe, head to any small village in the area. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Speaking of work, finding work/life balance is a constant challenge for many. 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. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or are overweight tend to have a more difficult time if they are infected by COVID-19. 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. Loma Linda, California. Your best bet might be finding a VRBO instead of a hotel. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Would you like to visit the Nicoya Peninsula? This calcium leads to stronger bones and the ability to stay physically active at a later age. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. Wildlife is abundant. 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. Barrio La California, Nicoya, Costa Rica. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. These cantons are: Carillo, Hojancha, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Nandoyure. People often consider the impact of global decisions on future generations through legislation. Throughout the world, the average life expectancy is 71 years of age (70 for males and 72 for females). Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. January 18, 2022 . 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. This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. Is the Nicoya Peninsula good for a Wellness getaway? In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. 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. 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. Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. The term first emerged in 2005 in a Nation Geographic magazine cover, "The Secrets of a Long Life.". Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. 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. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. Access to natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables (stables of the Nicoyans) is difficult to come by. While Nicoyans start their day by eating a healthy breakfast, their diet is not the only secret to living long lives. 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. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. 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. Within Nosaras lush forest and a three-minute walk to Guiones Beach, this small hotel has a daily yoga class plus private yoga instruction, surf lessons, a large pool, hammocks, and a juice and coffee bar.