Sardinia, Italy. 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). American researcher, Dan Buettner, discovered that people in these areas shared several lifestyle characteristics: They don't smoke; They eat a plant-based diet It is fascinating to see which factors play into long lifespan including how you can emulate this lifestyle. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. We're going to focus on the last one, mostly because it hits close to home. Buettner approached National Geograhic with his idea and they agreed to help fund his research. 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. Nicoyans often live more than 100 years and Nicoya boasts of the highest number of centenarians in the world. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. 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. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Costa Rica Tourism Board, Institutional Site, Costa Rica Convention Center, Promotional Site, Costa Rica Tourism Board | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map. The information and example set by the inhabitants of the Blue Zone of Nicoya are highly valuable, and some of the life habits can be emulated, planting a blue seed throughout the country. Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. Many believe it will be through the cutting-edge innovations of regenerative medicine that the privileges of the Blue Zones can be democratized, so that anyone, anywhere, and at any time has access to the technology that allows us to replenish, replace and rejuvenate our physical bodies., What weve witnessed during 2020 are healthcare systems around the world that are reactive, bureaucratic, inefficient, and saturated. Speaking of work, finding work/life balance is a constant challenge for many. 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. Nicoya, Costa Rica: A Puzzling Blue Zone Diet Light on Vegetables and High in Carbohydrate and Sugar. In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." It is a template outlining the lifestyles of people who live in places like Nicoya, Costa Rica. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. Or, get your zen on at La Senda, the wellness center on a 74-acre forested property near Tamarindo. 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. Sign up for theBLUE ZONES free weekly email where webring youexclusive interviews, cutting edge longevity news, and fresh tips for living longer, better. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2008-2023 Law Dissertation Writing Services. 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. 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. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. None of these staples are processed, and because all of these foods are locally grown they are not faced with genetically modified or pesticide laden produce. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good. Nicoya, Costa Rica. The Nicoya Peninsula is in many ways isolated from the rest of Costa Rica due to geography. 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. Nicoya, Costa Rica is one of those unique locations where lifestyle, diet, and low stress have dramatically bettered the lives of Ticos and expats alike. O que so Zonas Azuis? 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. 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. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. 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. Try opting to walk places instead of driving. Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. O segreto da Zona Azul de Nicoya. They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands, and they tend not to consume much meat. Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. 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. They embrace the relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle and family always comes first. The Peninsula is covered by spectacular beaches that host nature's best. 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. This is an excerpt fromBlue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longestby Dan Buettner, copyright 2008, all rights reserved. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). They wake up. Many of us in Western countries know we need to eat less junk and add more natural food to our diets. Come to Nicoya, Costa Rica, One of the World's Five 'Blue Zones' The Nicoya Peninsula has a high concentration of people over 100 years old and a low incidence of health problems like cancer or heart disease. Spirituality and religious involvement/ beliefs. Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. Directions: Toss the cabbage with the orange juice, season with salt and pepper and let sit 30 minutes. 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. 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. Who knows, maybe it will change your life! It is also one of the world's Blue Zones. Learn more about typical diet with our Guide to Costa Rican Food. Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine. First and foremost, the competition to get ahead isnt the same here as it is in some other western countries. 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. 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. 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." Personally, I find that a combination of a healthy diet, exercise, and social contact all help lower my stress; which is crucial in a long life span. Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. 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.) Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. 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. They begin each meal with a prayer. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. 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? Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. The Adventists are praying. Where are the world's Blue Zones located? 11 talking about this. Living Hotel partners with the Spacio spa, a five-minute walk away, which has several treatments geared to surfers. People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or are overweight tend to have a more difficult time if they are infected by COVID-19. 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. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Contents1 Is Costa Rica considered [] As of now, there are 5 blue zones: Icaria, Greece. 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. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. 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. Try cutting out some meat and replacing it with fresh vegetables and fruit. 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. 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. In the south between the Paquera ferry and the village of Tambor, youll have an excellent chance of seeing wildlife within the privately-owned Cur Wildlife Reserve. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. The baby turtles hatch 45 to 54 days later and, if theyre lucky, might live another 50 to 80 years.