Access to natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables (stables of the Nicoyans) is difficult to come by. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. We're going to focus on the last one, mostly because it hits close to home. Costa Rica is known for its pura vida lifestyle and attitude. Demographers have identified the area, located on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast, as a Blue Zone or "longevity hot spot," typified by a higher-than-normal number of people living past the age of one hundred. These cookies do not store any personal information. They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands, and they tend not to consume much meat. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. Meanwhile, last year the average individual from the United States ate 222.2 pounds of meat and poultry. 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. 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. There are other blue zones in California, Italy, Greece, and Japan. uma atrativa pergunta explica que os habitantes de Guanacaste e sim dvida contar com uma das cinco que existem no mundo um orgulho para todos os habitantes da provincia. Successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose. 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 you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Where are the world's Blue Zones located? 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. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. Black beans contain high doses of antioxidants and they are eaten for almost every meal among Nicoyans (and most Costa Ricans). The peninsula is one of the worlds five Blue Zones where many people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have. The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. What are Blue Zones? This goes along with the decision to widen the country's tourism offerings and venture into industries with high potential, such as wellness tourism. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. It requires descending 17 yards down a ladder to see cave formations that resemble fried eggs, popcorn, roses, and shark teeth. We can start making healthier choices today, thus living more enriching lives and encouraging others to adopt similar healthy ways of living. 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. 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. 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. 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. The surroundings dictate ways of operating, not personal decisions. January 18, 2022 . Oftentimes, this helps maintain healthy and supportive relationships within their communities, and develop a strong sense of faith and purpose along the way. 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). First and foremost, the competition to get ahead isnt the same here as it is in some other western countries. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Conzcanos. Nantipa means blue in the language of the Chorotega people, some of the first known people to live in the Nicoya region. 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. 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. We must make the health of future generations our responsibility by implementing the lifestyles of the Blue Zones people now. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. They have groups of friend with whom they share healthy habits.". This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." 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. 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. When that day comes, Nicoyas Blue Zone will continue to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. The term first emerged in 2005 in a Nation Geographic magazine cover, "The Secrets of a Long Life.". So, Nicoya is another blue zone in the world alongside Okinawa (Japan), Cerdea (Italia), Icaria (Greece) and Loma Linda (California). Dubbed "blue zones," residents of these areas share a common environment and lifestyle that . 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. It is believed that one factor which may contribute to the high number of Nicoyan centenarians is the high calcium content in the water. This calcium leads to stronger bones and the ability to stay physically active at a later age. 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. All rights reserved. I have been exploring the data reported by National Geographic and Dan Buettner in the Blue Zones Solution: . I will be visiting Costa Rica next week to meet with Jorge who founded a local organization that helps the small Blue Zone villages. Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. 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. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. Thanks to the peninsulas reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. The five blue zones are: Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. 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. 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 . Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. 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. Throughout the world, the average life expectancy is 71 years of age (70 for males and 72 for females). Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . 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. According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Health, this region will be painted blue for many years to come, as over 900 people over 90 have been recorded, along with over 5,000 inhabitants over 75, the majority of whom enjoy good health in their old age. Not long after, he began to lead trips to the first Blue Zones that he had discovered. Its one of our favorite places in Costa Rica and most likely where we would move if we ever moved to the beach. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. It consists of 100 recipes with ingredients used by those who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica and the other four Blue Zones. This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. Nicoyan centenarians get frequent visits from neighbors. 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. The Adventists are praying. The baby turtles hatch 45 to 54 days later and, if theyre lucky, might live another 50 to 80 years. Making the smart choice in traditional Blue Zones is often the only choice available, not really a choice at all. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. 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. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. mobile app. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny 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). Some sea turtles have even lived to age 150. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. I'm a Chief Metaverse Officer and a web3 luxury and fashion innovator. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. People often consider the impact of global decisions on future generations through legislation. But we must also consider the impact of our individual health and lifestyle choices on future generations. Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. Nicoyans often live more than 100 years and Nicoya boasts of the highest number of centenarians in the world. Swimming holes dot the peninsula too, including beneath the Montezuma waterfall. Lane cites the impact of COVID-19 on minorities like Blacks and Hispanics throughout Chicago. It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. 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. Still planning? Near the fishing village of Tambor (reached by a 20-minute flight from San Jos or a drive down from the Paquera ferry) is Costa Ricas first all-inclusive. Tamarindo is the most popular destination for international visitors with its golden beaches, many with consistent and gentle surfing waves, and nearby national parks and wildlife refuges. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Try spending quality times with your loved ones. 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. 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. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. Black bean starter To a small pot over medium-low heat, add one can of rinsed black beans. 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. Technology permeates everyday life and Nicoya is the perfect place to go for a digital detox. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average life span is 85among the world's highest. That means family ties are the backbone for most peoples existence. The volcanic beach has calm swimming in Bahia Ballena (despite the name, whales are no longer frequent visitors), and theres birdwatching and hiking along the Rio Panica. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Your email address will not be published. The centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula have also captured the interest of the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) of the National University (Universidad Nacional) of Costa Rica, which is carrying out a study on the subject this year. It's also an area identified as a "Blue Zone . By TCRN STAFF October 5, 2022 528 0 The Nicoya Peninsula is on Costa Ricas north Pacific coast. Or, get your zen on at La Senda, the wellness center on a 74-acre forested property near Tamarindo. All of our step by step Costa Rica planning tips in one spot. You can replicate some of the long-life characteristics of the Nicoya Peninsula on a trip to Costa Ricas Blue Zone and then turn them into healthy habits when you return home. This Blue Zone is in the mountains of the Nicoyan Peninsula in western Costa Rica. They include good physical and mental health, upholding a traditional diet, a deep faith and spirituality, support and respect to family networks that go across generations, where grandchildren spend time with their grandparents and share in their knowledge, physical activity and constant mobility, and a purpose in life associated with spirituality. 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. Blue zones are regions where some of the oldest and healthiest people live. This Central American nation isn't that far from the U.S. geographically, but it is way ahead of us in longevity. One is the plan de vida, or reason to live, which propels a positive outlook among elders and helps keep them active. But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border.