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

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. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. We do not need to wait for our cities of residence to adopt the principles for healthier living outlined in the Blue Zones Project. Moais are a powerful social tradition that create feelings of belonging, purpose and security. 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. Another is a focus on family and a special ability to listen and laugh. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. 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. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. Adapting our lifestyles wherever we live to healthier practices such as intermittent fasting, walkability, exploring plant-based gastronomy, and low glycemic index food intake sound like your everyday doctors recipe for a healthy life, says Cedeno-Molinari. 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). Maintaining close ties with family and friends helps reduce stress. Demographers have identified the area, located on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast, as a Blue Zone or "longevity hot spot," typified by a higher-than-normal number of people living past the age of one hundred. Buettner approached National Geograhic with his idea and they agreed to help fund his research. 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. First and foremost, the competition to get ahead isnt the same here as it is in some other western countries. 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. 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. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Several of Nicoyas beaches like those in the Ostional National Wildlife Reserve are nesting grounds for Kemps Ridley, green, and leatherback turtles. 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. For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . While we may not increase the average life expectancy throughout the world we can use Nicoya as a template for healthier living. The Nicoya Peninsula is on Costa Ricas north Pacific coast. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 4. 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. Black beans contain high doses of antioxidants and they are eaten for almost every meal among Nicoyans (and most Costa Ricans). Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. 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. Specifically, the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, where people have some of the longest lifespans in the world. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. They find joy in everyday physical chores. Hi, my name is Mike Gillespie & I'm fundraising to help support the Blue Zone communities in Nicoya Costa Rica. Community. Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. English is widely spoken and the town has lots of tourist infrastructure with a wide variety of restaurant and accommodation choices. The Adventists are praying. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. Wildlife is abundant. The gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula is the beach town of Tamarindo on the west coast, which is very popular with international travelers. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. One of the world's Blue Zones is in Nicoya, Costa Rica. They have been able to exceed their life expectancy and serve as an example for the entire world. What are Blue Zones? However, both towns have a more touristy vibe to them. Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. Guest Writer for Wake Up World. They typically do not consume a lot of meat. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. O segreto da Zona Azul de Nicoya. Try opting to walk places instead of driving. 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. It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. Meaning, family ties are strong. 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. 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). 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. Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica (its better for your digestion to eat a bigger breakfast and lunch and a lighter dinner). Directions: Toss the cabbage with the orange juice, season with salt and pepper and let sit 30 minutes. Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. 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). Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. And here are two great reports done that will give you a better understanding of the Nicoya people, area, and mindset. Longevity then would not be a luxury only reserved for a few living in Blue Zones, but a reality for billions.. 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. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. Come to Nicoya, Costa Rica, One of the World's Five 'Blue Zones' The Nicoya Peninsula has a high concentration of people over 100 years old and a low incidence of health problems like cancer or heart disease. You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." For most of their lives, Nicoyan centenarians ate a traditional Mesoamerican diet highlighted with the three sisters of agriculture: squash, corn, and beans. Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. It's a question that inhabitants of Guanacaste are happy to be asking themselves, since it's a true pride for the province's population to be home to one of the five such zones that exist worldwide. 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. Research shows that 30% of longevity comes from genes, and the remaining 70% from lifestyle. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. But we must also consider the impact of our individual health and lifestyle choices on future generations. 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. The occasion was also used to release the most recent study on longevity by the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) at the National University of Costa Rica. Living Hotel partners with the Spacio spa, a five-minute walk away, which has several treatments geared to surfers. 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). It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. 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. 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. He added that "we must somehow emulate, duplicate or copy the lifestyle of centenarians, and their way of living, but above all, their environment, diet, activity; above all, the connections they make, human connections, not technological ones. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, where average incomes are among the nation's lowest, the average life span is 85among the world's highest. When Dan Buettner introduced the concept of Blue Zones, he formed the Blue Zones Project. 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. 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. Pura vida means pure or simple life and Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula has what you could call extreme pura vida. While starting the day off with rice and beans may not be an ideal breakfast for most people, the key to a healthy breakfast is one rich with protein, complex carbs, and antioxidants (minus the preservatives). Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? For Priscila Chaves, a Costa Rican social tech-entrepreneur and ethics thought leader, the question that still stands is, how can we translate these apparent otherworldly effects, to the rest of us? It is also one of the world's Blue Zones. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. 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. Offering barefoot luxury on Playa Langosta this family-owned boutique hotel is a 15-minute walk from downtown Tamarindo. The world has 5 recognized Blue Zones (as determined by the authority of National Geographic ). Costa Rica is known for its pura vida lifestyle and attitude. 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). 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. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. 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. mobile app. 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. Everywhere you go in Costa Rica, youll hear pura vida! and soon feel the freedom to adopt the pura vida lifestyle yourself. I also suggest watching his TED Talk. The Power of Nine is the name Buetnner has given to the characteristics that all Blue Zones seem to share. Your email address will not be published. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). Do you ever wish you could know the secrets to a long and happy life? It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. 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. Its very interesting, and I mean, who doesnt love a good TED Talk? 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. 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. We have a full guide to the ferry here. Dubbed "blue zones," residents of these areas share a common environment and lifestyle that . A research team is currently researching the . Read more below about the lessons that Nicoya, Costa Rica can teach you about longevity. We're going to focus on the last one, mostly because it hits close to home. 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.