Blue Zones: Diet, Lifestyle & Tips on How to Live Longer In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The five known Blue Zones identified in Buettner's book include:. This is a BETA experience. 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. This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. 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. 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". Its very interesting, and I mean, who doesnt love a good TED Talk? Hi, my name is Mike Gillespie & I'm fundraising to help support the Blue Zone communities in Nicoya Costa Rica. 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. The baby turtles hatch 45 to 54 days later and, if theyre lucky, might live another 50 to 80 years. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Unlocking the secret to longevity in Nicoya region Costa Rica 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.) On today's podcast, Gina does some serious myth-busting about what has kept the centenarians so well, for so long. 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). Ministry of Health data indicate that life expectancy is nearly 80 years, which is the highest in Central America, according to the World Bank. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). The most southerly point is Cabo Blanco Reserve and the south coast also has the town of Tambor. The five blue zones are: Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Why is the Nicoya Peninsula considered a 'Blue Zone?' Nicoya has an abundance of accommodation options but these selections should help your Blue Zone focus whether its healthy food, yoga, spa, surfing, and hiking, connecting with family, or getting a sense of purpose by helping protect Nicoyas wildlife and their habitat. 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). Directions: Toss the cabbage with the orange juice, season with salt and pepper and let sit 30 minutes. Also, calcium is important for bones. There are five areas of the world that meet the qualifications of Blue Zone as defined by Buettner. So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. It's also an area identified as a "Blue Zone . 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. 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. 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. Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! Why is Costa Rica a blue zone? - 2023 - fiosdl.hioctanefuel.com It is the reason why the founder of Omega Institute set up Blue Spirit in Nosara and a Longevity center. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Win-win! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. "This meeting commits us to preserve this Blue Zone, but most importantly, it should have a multiplier effect and serve as an example for the other cantons of the country" said Ana Monge, Commissioner of the Presidential Social Council of the Government of Costa Rica. A stay at Nantipa will help you have a true Blue Zone adventure, especially if you book its transcendental wellness experience. 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. Meaning, family ties are strong. Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. Who knows, maybe it will change your life! Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. These include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece, and you guessed it; Nicoya, Costa Rica. It requires descending 17 yards down a ladder to see cave formations that resemble fried eggs, popcorn, roses, and shark teeth. For most Americans, an entrance ramp for a new lifestyle change is through their mouth, Buettner says. 11 talking about this. Add the red onions, sliced radishes, tomatoes, orange supremes, cilantro and 3 tablespoons oil to the cabbage. obesity, or heart disease. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. 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. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. One thing I found especially interesting is the idea that this long life span is dying out. Read more below about the lessons that Nicoya, Costa Rica can teach you about longevity. Blue Zones Nicoya - Esencial Costa Rica 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. Longevity then would not be a luxury only reserved for a few living in Blue Zones, but a reality for billions.. The Blue Zone in Costa Rica: Where People Live their Best Life The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. This healthy breakfast gives them the nutrients they need for a day of tending crops and livestock. Try opting to walk places instead of driving. They find joy in everyday physical chores. WED LOVE IF YOUD ADD IT ON PINTEREST! Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. So why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? You can design your own holistic retreat too, choosing from a Kirtan sound bath, detox program, cacao ceremony, blue clay treatment, drum circles, and more. 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. Blue Zones Nicoya naci en 2014, una empresa 100% costarricense, que durante los ltimos 6 aos ha sido destacada por la investigacin de alimentos locales de la Zona Azul de Nicoya-Guanacaste. By encouraging Nicoyans belief community and sense of purpose through work, family, or nature, cities could help their poorest thrive. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. A nine-hole golf course is a mile away. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! In other words, it lives longer than the average global life expectancy. The surroundings dictate ways of operating, not personal decisions. 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. O que so Zonas Azuis? 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. Changing the American diet and culture around the food we eat can help save lives. The peninsula is one of the worlds five Blue Zones where many people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. What Is The Potential Of Generative AI In Healthcare? They also practice good physical and mental health. By Ty and Charlene Bollinger. Drain and pat the onions dry with paper towel. 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. Why People Live So Long On Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula - TravelAwaits Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. Loma Linda, California. My Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Retreat. These characteristics are: Despite this, it is believed that 30% of a long healthy life comes from genes and 70% is based on lifestyle. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. 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. 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. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average lifespan is 85 among the world's highest. One of the world's Blue Zones is in Nicoya, Costa Rica. For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . Face-to-Face Conversations. Dan Buettner on the Diets that Help People Live Longer Predominantly catering to families, this 402-room property has four restaurants, including for surf and turf and Japanese, two pools, a nightclub, and a 200-seat amphitheater. 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. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." The world has 5 recognized Blue Zones (as determined by the authority of National Geographic ). Get your fill of fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, and passionfruit and vegetables and legumes like squash, cassava, plantain, yam, and beans. Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! January 18, 2022 . Also, the environment just exudes joy. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Dan discovered five places where residents have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. Try spending quality times with your loved ones. Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide. Support the Blue Zone Communities in Costa Rica El propsito de la compaa es promover y crear conciencia sobre el consumo de productos de alta calidad, con valor nutricional y . How Much Does it Cost to Live in Costa Rica? (2023) - A Little Adrift