why is nicoya, costa rica a blue zone why is nicoya, costa rica a blue zone

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. 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. Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. When that day comes, Nicoyas Blue Zone will continue to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. El propsito de la compaa es promover y crear conciencia sobre el consumo de productos de alta calidad, con valor nutricional y . Many of us in Western countries know we need to eat less junk and add more natural food to our diets. Perhaps youll also figure out your lifes purpose, which studies show contributes to a longer and higher quality life, and make the effort to reconnect with family whether youve brought them with you or will see them again once youre home. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. 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. I also suggest watching his TED Talk. 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. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. Toss gently. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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The reason why they are called "blue zones" is a curious story He has written numerous books on the topic, but I suggest starting with: Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen (a cookbook). These regions are considered Blue Zones. While Nicoyans start their day by eating a healthy breakfast, their diet is not the only secret to living long lives. Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. 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. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). Wellness enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. This goes along with the decision to widen the country's tourism offerings and venture into industries with high potential, such as wellness tourism. BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%. Swimming holes dot the peninsula too, including beneath the Montezuma waterfall. 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? Alternatively, Blue. Results were also shared from the research carried out by the demographer Luis Rosero and Dr. Elizabeth Lopez, both from Costa Rica, who made significant contributions on the subject of healthy longevity. Your email address will not be published. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. 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). Making the smart choice in traditional Blue Zones is often the only choice available, not really a choice at all. Healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family are another one of their keys to longevity. Successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose. In the future, when we do emerge from the current pandemic, many cities and companies will revisit well-being as a main topic for their citizens and employees. Access to natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables (stables of the Nicoyans) is difficult to come by. 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. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. ", 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. 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. Despite that, the area has many of the same ideals that the rest of Costa Ricans have. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). 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. Look for howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots and parakeets, and bigger birds like herons and hawks. The Adobe Rent-A-Car discount includes.. DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE USAGE WITH UNLIMITED DATA. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. 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. Would you like to visit the Nicoya Peninsula? The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. 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. Meaning, family ties are strong. Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Nicoya, also known as the Nicoya Peninsula has not been only recognized as one of the 5 places in the planet with surprisingly high rate of longevity but also as the highest concentration of centenarians in the world. Speaking of work, finding work/life balance is a constant challenge for many. La Senda has a 2.5-acre labyrinth with a two-mile-long path (said to be the biggest in the world) as well as horseback riding. Nicoya, Costa Rica. If coming from San Jose, the easiest way to get to the Nicoya Peninsula is to take the ferry from Puntarenas. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. They begin each meal with a prayer. 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 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. They embrace the relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle and family always comes first. The Tortuga Islands are offshore and are a frequent destination for snorkeling trips, even from other parts of the peninsula. Drain and pat the onions dry with paper towel. The Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone in Costa Rica, is renowned for its tranquil, laid-back ambiance. They have a simplistic lifestyle - Nicoyans ordinarily make a living as farmers and or cattle ranchers, and this consistent activity is said to be one of the reasons for their longevity. Eco-tourism is a natural must in this out-of-this-world scenario, where everything that happens is in a quiet, lovely pace. The town of Nosara, located in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, is a surfing and wellness hot spot located in one of the five "blue zones" in the world. Sustainability is said to be a way of life, and Costa Rica has actually reversed deforestation; protects more than a quarter of its landmass via 29 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, and eight biological reserves; gets 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, and aims to be completely decarbonized by 2050. 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. Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. It definitely runs contrary to what was written up about the Nicoya people in "The Blue Zones." In that book, their diet was characterized as primarily vegetarian. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. One of the world's Blue Zones is in Nicoya, Costa Rica. Several of Nicoyas beaches like those in the Ostional National Wildlife Reserve are nesting grounds for Kemps Ridley, green, and leatherback turtles. Ministry of Health data indicate that life expectancy is nearly 80 years, which is the highest in Central America, according to the World Bank. Try our meal idea that reflects elements of the Nicoyan Peninsula Blue Zoners' diet. Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. What are Blue Zones? However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. 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. This Central American nation isnt that far from the U.S. geographically, but it is way ahead of us in longevity. All of our step by step Costa Rica planning tips in one spot. They also practice good physical and mental health. We must make the health of future generations our responsibility by implementing the lifestyles of the Blue Zones people now. For example, we know that Nicoya is the driest part of Costa Rica, that it used to be part of Nicaragua, and that more Indians intermarried with the Spanish who began settling here in 1510. 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. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. My fourth investigation into exactly what our Blue Zone folks eat has left this dietitian, well, intrigued. 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. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. 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. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. These characteristics are: Despite this, it is believed that 30% of a long healthy life comes from genes and 70% is based on lifestyle. A nine-hole golf course is a mile away. Add the red onions, sliced radishes, tomatoes, orange supremes, cilantro and 3 tablespoons oil to the cabbage. They have groups of friend with whom they share healthy habits.". And now, it's a well-known fact: Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, dubbed as a "high-longevity island," is one of the world's rare blue zones - one of only five original regions, joined by Icaria (Greece), Okinawa (Japan), Lima Linda (California, USA), and Sardinia (Italy). Gone are the days of making your own food and growing organic produce. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Now is the time for cities like Chicago to learn from the five Blue Zones throughout the world like Nicoya, Costa Rica. Rooms have a mini fridge and theres a communal kitchen plus bikes to rent. Getting up in the air on tree canopy tours via ziplines and rope bridges is popular throughout Costa Rica. Nicoya, Costa Rica - And then there's Nicoya, where Ricardo and his family live, a notable exception to the rule that people in developing countries have shorter life spans than those in developed ones. Costa Rica as a whole is a happy place. Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. We can start making healthier choices today, thus living more enriching lives and encouraging others to adopt similar healthy ways of living. Santa Teresa is great for surfing and enjoying a small but vibrant town with a backpacker vibe. Blue Zones Nicoya desarrolla alimentos, bebidas y suplementos inspirados en los centenarios de la. You may opt-out by. 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). So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? 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. The baby turtles hatch 45 to 54 days later and, if theyre lucky, might live another 50 to 80 years. Not long after, he began to lead trips to the first Blue Zones that he had discovered. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. I have been exploring the data reported by National Geographic and Dan Buettner in the Blue Zones Solution: . Buettner's studies on the Nicoya Peninsula revealed eight key factors that affect people's life expectancy. seen in blue zones. 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. They find joy in everyday physical chores. mobile app. Win-win! 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 Nicoya Peninsula is on Costa Ricas north Pacific coast. Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide.