I will be visiting Costa Rica next week to meet with Jorge who founded a local organization that helps the small Blue Zone villages. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good. Blue Zones: How The World's Oldest People Make Their Money Last - Forbes Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. Everywhere you go in Costa Rica, youll hear pura vida! and soon feel the freedom to adopt the pura vida lifestyle yourself. Access to natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables (stables of the Nicoyans) is difficult to come by. Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. They wake up. Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. But we must also consider the impact of our individual health and lifestyle choices on future generations. The Nicoya Peninsula is in many ways isolated from the rest of Costa Rica due to geography. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average lifespan is 85 among the world's highest. Tamarindo is also a great place for solo travelers. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. Due to the Nicoya Peninsula's location in Central America, the area has an abundance of warm days with tons of sunlight. 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. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). 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. Cities throughout the world can use this template to encourage people to live healthier lives. Costa Rica Tourism Board, Institutional Site, Costa Rica Convention Center, Promotional Site, Costa Rica Tourism Board | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map. Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known. Some of the roads in Nicoyas interior and south arent paved, so the deeper you go into the peninsula the more you may prefer to fly (for example, its a 20-minute flight from San Jos to the tiny Tambor airport in the south). It remains to be seen if the COVID pandemic will affect that average. So, Nicoya is another blue zone in the world alongside Okinawa (Japan), Cerdea (Italia), Icaria (Greece) and Loma Linda (California). There will be a lot to learn and a lot to do to get back to a healthier normal. 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. The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. 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. Live longer with these dishes from 'blue zones' in America Many of us in Western countries know we need to eat less junk and add more natural food to our diets. 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. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These factors are present, to some degree, in the other four Blue Zones in the world, according to world experts who participated in the World Meeting in Nicoya in mid-November. A stay at Nantipa will help you have a true Blue Zone adventure, especially if you book its transcendental wellness experience. Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. 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. Brand Storytelling At Sundance: Championing Excellence And Filmmakers With Purpose, Profitable ECommerce Growth For CPGs Is In Reach. 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. We know we should include exercise into all parts of our lives (not just an hour at the gym). At the southern tip of the peninsula is Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. We do not need to wait for our cities of residence to adopt the principles for healthier living outlined in the Blue Zones Project. Meat, fish, and poultry only make up 5% of the usual diet. The Nicoya Peninsula is on Costa Ricas north Pacific coast. What are Blue Zones? Cala Luna won most innovative wellness hotel from the Global Beauty & Wellness Awards thanks to daily complimentary wellness activities like hatha yoga, bikes to borrow, farm-to-table cuisine (from La Sendas farm) with organic and biodynamic wines, and the innovative treatments at its Lahari Wellness Center spa. Of course, there is still a desire for success (especially in the cities) but in general, the priorities are shifted. 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. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). 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. People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or are overweight tend to have a more difficult time if they are infected by COVID-19. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2008-2023 Law Dissertation Writing Services. "The five cantons of the peninsula continue to appear with greater longevity and we've confirmed this everywhere we've investigated. Required fields are marked *, car rental deal! A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. Add the red onions, sliced radishes, tomatoes, orange supremes, cilantro and 3 tablespoons oil to the cabbage. 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. According to Buettner's studies, the Nicoya Peninsula has the world's lowest rates of middle-age mortality and the second highest convergence of male centenarians. 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. 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. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. Though Costa Rica has just 0.03 percent of the planets surface, it has almost six percent of the worlds biodiversity and you might see (or hear!) Meaning, family ties are strong. 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. 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. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. Blue Zone Costa Rica: Living Longer, Living Better Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula is a Blue Zone for long life | Enchanting 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Unlocking the secret to longevity in Nicoya region Costa Rica 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). So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. Costa Rica's Blue Zone - Special Places of Costa Rica Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! They find joy in everyday physical chores. 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. the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica'S Blue Zone Scarlet macaws are bred in Tambor and youll have a chance of seeing them, even on the beach. Actually, it is home. Poor communities are notorious for living in food deserts. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. While we may not increase the average life expectancy throughout the world we can use Nicoya as a template for healthier living. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. 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. Alternatively, Blue. The Adobe Rent-A-Car discount includes.. DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE USAGE WITH UNLIMITED DATA. The expat community in Coco is generally older retirees, however, there are some younger expats running around. The term 'Blue Zone' was coined by Dan Buettner, a New York Times bestselling author, who was studying areas to some of the oldest people in the world. First . 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. 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. Costa Rica Blue Zone: Learn the Secrets to a Long and Happy Life To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . Offering barefoot luxury on Playa Langosta this family-owned boutique hotel is a 15-minute walk from downtown Tamarindo. However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. Also, the environment just exudes joy. The term first emerged in 2005 in a Nation Geographic magazine cover, "The Secrets of a Long Life.". A "Blue Zone" is an area of the world where it is typical for people to live past 100 years old. Report from the 'Blue Zone': Why Do People Live Long in Costa Rica? Guest Writer for Wake Up World. Thanks to the peninsulas reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? Genetics and Costa Ricas natural environment certainly play a large part, but lifestyle is a major factor in why Blue Zone residents live so long. Buettner's studies on the Nicoya Peninsula revealed eight key factors that affect people's life expectancy. 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. 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. Blue Zones: How the Oldest People in the World Make Their Money Last Enjoying good health conditions shouldn't depend on economic or technological factors, but rather on protective factors that are evident and proven in the region. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. seen in blue zones. In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. 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. What to Incorporate Into Your Diet to Eat Like a 100 Year Old Nicoyan Still planning? Eco-tourism is a natural must in this out-of-this-world scenario, where everything that happens is in a quiet, lovely pace. Blue Zones Nicoya | Santa Cruz - Facebook The most amazing part about people who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica is that many of them live without medication or disability. BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%. The World Meeting of Blue Zones laid the groundwork, in a spirit of s se puede (yes we can), envisioning a blue Costa Rica, following the example of healthy habits set by more than 900 inhabitants aged 90 or older, and the centenarians of Nicoya Peninsula. Stir in two chopped plum tomatoes, half of a finely chopped onion and one . 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. Blue Zones: Want To Live To 100? - Elite Healthy Living The Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica, is one of them, . It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This is due to key decisions the country has taken through its history that have positively affected its performance in social progress, environment, society and overall peace indicators, explains Daniel Valverde, Essential Costa Rica country brand director. They begin each meal with a prayer. 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. Meanwhile, last year the average individual from the United States ate 222.2 pounds of meat and poultry. Healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family are another one of their keys to longevity. Try opting to walk places instead of driving. A nine-hole golf course is a mile away. 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. By TCRN STAFF October 5, 2022 528 0 Warm, Sunny Climate. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Blue Zones Nicoya desarrolla alimentos, bebidas y suplementos inspirados en los centenarios de la. 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. Black bean starter To a small pot over medium-low heat, add one can of rinsed black beans. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. This Central American nation isnt that far from the U.S. geographically, but it is way ahead of us in longevity. The beautiful view of the beaches may also have a hand in this. 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. It is fascinating to see which factors play into long lifespan including how you can emulate this lifestyle. "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. The most southerly point is Cabo Blanco Reserve and the south coast also has the town of Tambor. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. Nicoya. Nicoyan water has the countrys highest calcium content, perhaps explaining the lower rates of heart disease, as well as stronger bones and fewer hip fractures. 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. Casado - the Blue Zone lunch | The Garum Factory They have been able to exceed their life expectancy and serve as an example for the entire world. Centenarian Dietary Secrets - The Weston A. Price Foundation The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. 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). Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. 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. This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. They feel needed, and their daily lives revolve around their family and community. What are Blue Zones? 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. It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! 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