Nicoyas interior where most of the centenarians and almost-centenarians live and northeastern coast are less visited by tourists but still have much to offer. Making the smart choice in traditional Blue Zones is often the only choice available, not really a choice at all. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. Nicoya, Costa Rica A Latin American Blue Zone. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2008-2023 Law Dissertation Writing Services. It was time for me to conquer the Nicoya Peninsula. Nosara also has three beaches remote black sand Playa Nosara, Playa Guiones with some of Costa Ricas best surfing, and Playa Pelada for tide pools, blow holes, snorkeling, and swimming. I'm a Chief Metaverse Officer and a web3 luxury and fashion innovator. 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 supplement your diet and make sure youre getting enough of this vital nutrient. The traditional diet in the area is also notable. 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 five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. 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. 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All rights reserved. But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. The world has 5 recognized Blue Zones (as determined by the authority of National Geographic ). Nantipas special wellness booking includes yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and sound therapies, and sessions with wellness coaches and personal trainers. WED LOVE IF YOUD ADD IT ON PINTEREST! Nicoyans attribute much of their longevity to social values of faith and family. For more information read our privacy policy. I have been exploring the data reported by National Geographic and Dan Buettner in the Blue Zones Solution: . 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. This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." 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 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. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. First . 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. 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). 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. "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. 4. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. 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 . Pablo Jenkins, a regenerative investor and futurist explains that it is a great time to take on that wisdom from the local ancestors and combine it with new regenerative ways of living. "The sense of community, shared purpose and celebration and appreciation for life in all its forms allows for a way of thriving that can even be seen today to have a connection to vitality and mitochondrial health." This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Sign up for theBLUE ZONES free weekly email where webring youexclusive interviews, cutting edge longevity news, and fresh tips for living longer, better. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. The Nicoya Peninsula is in many ways isolated from the rest of Costa Rica due to geography. Now is the time for cities like Chicago to learn from the five Blue Zones throughout the world like Nicoya, 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. For most of their lives, Nicoyan centenarians ate a traditional Mesoamerican diet highlighted with the three sisters of agriculture: squash, corn, and beans. Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. The most amazing part about people who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica is that many of them live without medication or disability. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! What Is The Potential Of Generative AI In Healthcare? Spirituality and religious involvement/ beliefs. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. The Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone in Costa Rica, is renowned for its tranquil, laid-back ambiance. Because of this, they enjoy extremely low rates of heart disease. 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. These Blue Zones have a direct link to the promotion of tourism in the country, since it fits in well wellness tourism. There are four similar places on earth: Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula, Okinawa in Japan, the Greek island of Ikaria, as well as Loma Linda in California (though that one might just be due to its large population of Seventh-day Adventists and their healthy lifestyle). These commitments also included mechanisms to develop best practices in health promotion in the "five blue cantons" of the Peninsula, strengthening support networks, and incentivizing the recuperation of life lessons and traditions. Nicoyans often live more than 100 years and Nicoya boasts of the highest number of centenarians in the world. 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. Hi! 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. A three-course farm-to-table dinner with a tour of the organic garden is available Mondays and Thursdays. Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. The term first emerged in 2005 in a Nation Geographic magazine cover, "The Secrets of a Long Life.". - save 10% Plus other perks . They embrace the relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle and family always comes first. It is not unusual for several generations to gather on a regular basis for lively gatherings. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. On the peninsulas southeast coast is Tambor, with Nicoyas most southerly airport. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. 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. A nine-hole golf course is a mile away. The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. Directions: Toss the cabbage with the orange juice, season with salt and pepper and let sit 30 minutes. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica (its better for your digestion to eat a bigger breakfast and lunch and a lighter dinner). It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. March 2nd, 2023. 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. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. Complex carbs provide the energy a person needs to get through the day. Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. Loma Linda, California. Community. In these areas people have low rates of chronic diseases, so they tend to live longer than in other places. By comparison, a person in the United States can reasonably expect to live to just 77, according to federal census data. Over the last several months, the world has mourned the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. Several of Nicoyas beaches like those in the Ostional National Wildlife Reserve are nesting grounds for Kemps Ridley, green, and leatherback turtles. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine. In terms of a definition, these zones are geographical areas with a high concentration of long-lived populations, who frequently reach ninety or one hundred years of age. What are Blue Zones? 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. To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! Changing the American diet and culture around the food we eat can help save lives. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? 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." Now, visiting Nicoya doesnt mean youll automatically live to 100, but a trip there is likely to put you on the path to pure life thanks to its natural environment and abundance of healthy activities. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). 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. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. Throughout Costa Rica, youll find vegetarian gallo pinto (rice and beans) served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner the name means spotted rooster because the black beans dot the rice. Nicoya, Costa Rica: A Puzzling Blue Zone Diet Light on Vegetables and High in Carbohydrate and Sugar. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. The Adobe Rent-A-Car discount includes.. DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE USAGE WITH UNLIMITED DATA. Win-win! As indicated by the World Health Organization, "active or positive aging is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age". The agreement was signed by the Vice President of Costa Rica, Ana Helena Chacn, as well as ministries and institutions of the government and the mayors of the cantons of Nicoya Peninsula: Nandayure, Hojancha, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. 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. 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. Do you ever wish you could know the secrets to a long and happy life? Lets explore the Blue Zone in Nicoya, Costa Rica and what the Nicoyan lifestyle can teach us about humanity and what we could do better in the future. Full of natural beauty, endless sunlight, white beaches and radiant ocean, Nicoya reigns as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. 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. It is fascinating to see which factors play into long lifespan including how you can emulate this lifestyle. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Due to the Nicoya Peninsula's location in Central America, the area has an abundance of warm days with tons of sunlight. Many Nicoyans choose to walk from one destination to another instead of driving. Buettner's studies on the Nicoya Peninsula revealed eight key factors that affect people's life expectancy. The Tortuga Islands are offshore and are a frequent destination for snorkeling trips, even from other parts of the peninsula. 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. 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. Try opting to walk places instead of driving. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. 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. 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!) 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. There are many factors that go into the long life of Nicoyans, and some of them will be impossible for you to replicate (unless you plan to move to an area of the world where the sun is always shining, the nature is amazing, and then you also need to bring all of your family with you). 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. 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. On today's podcast, Gina does some serious myth-busting about what has kept the centenarians so well, for so long. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. I feel lucky to have found this information, though the credit doesn't belong to me, but rather to the older residents. This information is complemented by studies carried out by Costa Rican demographer Dr. Luis Rosero Bixby, which show that the mortality of inhabitants of the Nicoya Peninsula aged 90 is 10% lower than for Costa Ricans of the same age elsewhere in the country. Compreende os 5 cantos da Pennsula de Nicoya: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz e Nicoya. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. Most people in this area never move. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. Wildlife is abundant. 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). Possessing the highest density of biodiversity of any country in the world, it is also labeled as one of the 5 "blue zones", a term coined by National Geographic author Dan Buettner, describing places where a high percentage of the population lives active . It remains to be seen if the COVID pandemic will affect that average. Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. There are two trails for visitors and a pristine white sand beach. Not long after, he began to lead trips to the first Blue Zones that he had discovered. Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. The Peninsula is covered by spectacular beaches that host nature's best. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. This goes along with the decision to widen the country's tourism offerings and venture into industries with high potential, such as wellness tourism. Or, get your zen on at La Senda, the wellness center on a 74-acre forested property near Tamarindo. 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. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. The most southerly point is Cabo Blanco Reserve and the south coast also has the town of Tambor. Here you will find some of the most beautiful beaches and hotels in Costa Rica, along with lush tropical forests perfect for hiking or horseback riding. 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. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.