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. For those who might need some meal ideas, Dan Buettner, wrote the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. Costa Rica Experts Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, Where to Find Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica, Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month, 11 Travel Mistakes To Avoid Before Your Trip, 8 Costa Rica Natural Mysteries You Have to See to Believe, 5 Common Misconceptions About Travel in Costa Rica, 10 Top Costa Rica Honeymoon Bungalows & Suites, 3 Costa Rica Hotels Made The Travel & Leisure Top 100 in the World List, Costa Rica Expert Interview with Aaron Daker: top destinations, new hotels, & best months to travel. Hi! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. Look for howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots and parakeets, and bigger birds like herons and hawks. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). 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. Reporter Dan Buettner closed by saying "it is a great honor to see the results of the idea of researching the issue of longevity that emerged fifteen years ago is coming to fruition in the meeting of the major scientific researchers on the subject of Blue Zones." 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. I had visited the famous Costa Rica "must-see" spots - Arenal, Manuel Antonio, the cloud forest, the Osa Peninsula - some of them a few times. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide. The Nicoyan way of life can enlighten people to make choices that will help to increase their life expectancy. Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. If you want to really embrace the Nicoya Peninsula blue zone vibe, head to any small village in the area. Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula joins Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, Lima Linda, California, and Icaria, Greece as one of the world's five blue zones. The Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica, is one of them, . 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. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. 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. They are joined by 42 other centenarians in the Nicoya Peninsula, located in the 5 blue cantons: Nicoya, Santa Cruz, Hojancha, Nandayure and Carrillo (according to data from Jorge Vindas, a field researcher for the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Association). It includes black beans, cooked plantains, fresh papaya, yams, squash, homemade corn tortillas, and fish (if near the coast). First . 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. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. 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. - save 10% Plus other perks . All of the international experts agreed that the factors that make healthy longevity possible must be communicated worldwide, in order to reflect on the implications of Blue Zones, unique geographical areas with a high concentration of inhabitants who live to ninety or one hundred years of age, whose aging process is positive, and most importantly, deliberate and active. Those who want to enjoy the pura vida life for more than a week or two often end up here, given Santa Teresas gorgeous beaches, busy nightlife, and excellent wifi. Cities throughout the world can use this template to encourage people to live healthier lives. There are other blue zones in California, Italy, Greece, and Japan. It is believed that one factor which may contribute to the high number of Nicoyan centenarians is the high calcium content in the water. We do not need to wait for our cities of residence to adopt the principles for healthier living outlined in the Blue Zones Project. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. It's also an area identified as 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. While a Blue Zone indicates a hotspot of healthy longevity, it also presents a challenge of how to extend these benefits throughout the population outside of these redoubts. If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. 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. Buettner had spent several years before penning the article leading expeditions including tracing Darwins route in the Galapagos and Marco Polos trip along the Silk Road. 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. 11 talking about this. Nicoya, Costa Rica: A Puzzling Blue Zone Diet Light on Vegetables and High in Carbohydrate and Sugar. 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). Everywhere you go in Costa Rica, youll hear pura vida! and soon feel the freedom to adopt the pura vida lifestyle yourself. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. They have groups of friend with whom they share healthy habits.". On the peninsulas southeast coast is Tambor, with Nicoyas most southerly airport. Of course, there is still a desire for success (especially in the cities) but in general, the priorities are shifted. Drain and pat the onions dry with paper towel. Compreende os 5 cantos da Pennsula de Nicoya: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz e Nicoya. Swimming holes dot the peninsula too, including beneath the Montezuma waterfall. This Blue Zone is in the mountains of the Nicoyan Peninsula in western Costa Rica. You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." 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. The most amazing part about people who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica is that many of them live without medication or disability. 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. WED LOVE IF YOUD ADD IT ON PINTEREST! American researcher, Dan Buettner, discovered that people in these areas shared several lifestyle characteristics: They don't smoke; They eat a plant-based diet They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands, and they tend not to consume much meat. Its difficult to maintain family bonds and friendships when school and work take us far from home, into strange communities. 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. Nicoyans attribute much of their longevity to social values of faith and family. 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. Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. By TCRN STAFF October 5, 2022 528 0 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. I will be visiting Costa Rica next week to meet with Jorge who founded a local organization that helps the small Blue Zone villages. Also, calcium is important for bones. Lane reasons why Chicago should use the Blue Zones template to improve the lives of people who live there. Community. These include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece, and you guessed it; Nicoya, Costa Rica. 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. 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. Eco-tourism is a natural must in this out-of-this-world scenario, where everything that happens is in a quiet, lovely pace. Toss gently. Oftentimes, this helps maintain healthy and supportive relationships within their communities, and develop a strong sense of faith and purpose along the way. 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. LIKED THIS? 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 . Feel free to leave them in the comment section below. The sustainable and equitable promotion of the long-living population of seniors and the establishment of a cultural agenda aimed at strengthening sustainable, rural, community tourism stood out among the commitments made. Youre sure to be on the path to a long and healthy life after the four-handed Abundance Treatment, which combines Reiki, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, sound and aromatherapy, and acupressure. Would you like to visit the Nicoya Peninsula? It is fascinating to see which factors play into long lifespan including how you can emulate this lifestyle. Now I was excited to roam off the beaten path into a world-famous Nicoya Peninsula blue zone. Your email address will not be published. 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. The Power of Nine is the name Buetnner has given to the characteristics that all Blue Zones seem to share. 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. Rooms have a mini fridge and theres a communal kitchen plus bikes to rent. It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). Long-living creatures like sea turtles are frequent visitors to the Blue Zone too. What are Blue Zones? 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." The town of Nicoya is considered the oldest in Costa Rica, it is popularly known as "the colonial city". 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. Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? 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. Hi, my name is Mike Gillespie & I'm fundraising to help support the Blue Zone communities in Nicoya Costa Rica. 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. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. 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. Near the fishing village of Tambor (reached by a 20-minute flight from San Jos or a drive down from the Paquera ferry) is Costa Ricas first all-inclusive. As of now, there are 5 blue zones: Icaria, Greece. 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. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. Many believe it will be through the cutting-edge innovations of regenerative medicine that the privileges of the Blue Zones can be democratized, so that anyone, anywhere, and at any time has access to the technology that allows us to replenish, replace and rejuvenate our physical bodies., What weve witnessed during 2020 are healthcare systems around the world that are reactive, bureaucratic, inefficient, and saturated. Due to the Nicoya Peninsula's location in Central America, the area has an abundance of warm days with tons of sunlight. Barra Honda is on the peninsulas northeast about a half hours drive from the town of Nicoya. 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. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. Certain common characteristics were also established in order to determine whether additional Blue Zones could be added in the near future. For many the hope is that the lessons that these centenarians can teach us and the secrets of well-being and longevity that live in this extraordinary part of the world, will be able benefit all of humanity in the future. We are always happy to help you out! Beyond this context, however, the health authorities are taking measures to help Costa Ricans reach over 80 years of age in good health. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By encouraging Nicoyans belief community and sense of purpose through work, family, or nature, cities could help their poorest thrive. Pura vida means pure or simple life and Costa Ricas Nicoya Peninsula has what you could call extreme pura vida. Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. Going down the west coast from Tamarindo youll find several beach towns, most notably yoga center Nosara and surfers paradise Santa Teresa. In other words, it lives longer than the average global life expectancy. They wake up. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. Try opting to walk places instead of driving. 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. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! Sign up for theBLUE ZONES free weekly email where webring youexclusive interviews, cutting edge longevity news, and fresh tips for living longer, better. Whether this pandemic impacts the average lifespan of people around the world or not, a lot can be gained by studying five specific regions in the world where people seemingly effortlessly live to over 90 years in age. In other words, people in these zones to live longer than any other areas in the world. For most Americans, an entrance ramp for a new lifestyle change is through their mouth, Buettner says. They also practice good physical and mental health. A three-course farm-to-table dinner with a tour of the organic garden is available Mondays and Thursdays. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. When that day comes, Nicoyas Blue Zone will continue to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit. Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! Get some sensible sun. But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a Central American Caribbean nation that boasts economic security and excellent health care. Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. Meat, fish, and poultry only make up 5% of the usual diet. Jorge Vindas, Costa Ricas Blue Zone expert, says that its a combination of good genes, healthy food and water, regular low-intensity exercise, few vices, a strong connection to family, putting importance on religion or spirituality, and having a sense of purpose.