Go to a soda, thats the name of a small, local caf, and look for casado this popular dish is rice and beans served with vegetables and either fish or meat. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. 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 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. Actually, it is home. Complex carbs provide the energy a person needs to get through the day. Get to Know the Secrets of Costa Rica's Blue Zone 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. For one, Costa Rica is a small country and most people never move away from the area they were born in. 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. Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. 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. There are five areas of the world that meet the qualifications of Blue Zone as defined by Buettner. Several of Nicoyas beaches like those in the Ostional National Wildlife Reserve are nesting grounds for Kemps Ridley, green, and leatherback turtles. They are places where people get around by walking more than by car, they eat more plants than meat, and a diet that includes beans or grains such as corn, where the family is their number one purpose. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. 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. 3 International Psychedelic Retreats Poised To Take Wellness Travel Into the Future, The Most Romantic Couples Massages in Las Vegas, The 20 Happiest Countries in the World, 2022, What Its Like To Stay at Hilton Head Health, One of Americas Most Renowned Wellness Resorts, 5 Types of Meditation That Will Relieve Your Travel Stress, long-life characteristics of the Nicoya Peninsula, How To Move To Costa Rica and Live There on the Cheap, These Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park Basecamps, 8 of the Coolest Airbnbs Near Disney World, Orlando, 8 La Condesa Airbnbs To Settle Into Mexico Citys Coolest Neighborhood, The 11 Absolute Best Beaches in Costa Rica, This Luxury Hotel Has Transformed a Plane Into a Suite in the Costa Rican Jungle, A Guide To Feeling Your Best as a Plus-Size SpaGuest, The Best Airbnbs in Venice, From a Rialto Flat To a San Marco Studio, Download the Thanks to the peninsulas reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." 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. 11 talking about this. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. Blue Zone - Samara, Costa Rica, Samara Beach, Playa Samara, Carrillo Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! Despite that, the area has many of the same ideals that the rest of Costa Ricans have. Located on the Guanacaste Peninsula in northwestern Costa Rica, Nicoya is a rural, beachside, blue-zone community. 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. Everything You Need To Know About the Blue Zone in Costa Rica Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide. Loma Linda, California. "Year after year, our surveys indicate that its the Costa Ricans themselves that set our destination apart, and it's certainly always a marvelous experience to spend time with the older generation. Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Physical activity, diet, good mineral-rich water, friends, a satisfying job, eating light in the evening, and a "plan de vida" are the other aspects. English is widely spoken and the town has lots of tourist infrastructure with a wide variety of restaurant and accommodation choices. These cantons are: Carillo, Hojancha, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Nandoyure. Almost 40 percent of the residents of the Nicoya Peninsula (about 5,000 of the population of 132,000) are over the age of 75, more than 900 are over the age of 90, and many are over 100. But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. howler and white face monkeys, red variegated squirrels, sloths, anteaters, raccoon-like coatis, butterflies, plus some 900 bird species including the fiery-billed aracari toucan and the rufous-tailed hummingbird. There will be a lot to learn and a lot to do to get back to a healthier normal. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It's also an area identified as a "Blue Zone . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Your email address will not be published. Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. Throughout the world, the average life expectancy is 71 years of age (70 for males and 72 for females). Nicoya, the "Blue Zone" in Costa Rica The Costa Rica News We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Directions: Toss the cabbage with the orange juice, season with salt and pepper and let sit 30 minutes. 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. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. 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. Try our meal idea that reflects elements of the Nicoyan Peninsula Blue Zoners' diet. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. A research team is currently researching the . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. These include Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece . Guevara lives in the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. 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. 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. Still planning? On today's podcast, Gina does some serious myth-busting about what has kept the centenarians so well, for so long. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. Healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family are another one of their keys to longevity. Longevity then would not be a luxury only reserved for a few living in Blue Zones, but a reality for billions.. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. Dubbed "blue zones," residents of these areas share a common environment and lifestyle that . The Nicoyan way of life can enlighten people to make choices that will help to increase their life expectancy. Nicoya honey - Blue Zones Nicoya 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. 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. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. 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. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. You can drive to Tamarindo in about 80 minutes from the Liberia airport (its about four hours from Costa Ricas other main airport in the capital, San Jos). Maintaining close ties with family and friends helps reduce stress. Your best bet might be finding a VRBO instead of a hotel. 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. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%. 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. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Who knows, maybe it will change your life! 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. I also suggest watching his TED Talk. Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. Now is the time for cities like Chicago to learn from the five Blue Zones throughout the world like Nicoya, Costa Rica.