The Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica, is one of them, . I have been exploring the data reported by National Geographic and Dan Buettner in the Blue Zones Solution: . Get some sensible sun. The most popular towns to visit here are Montezuma and Santa Teresa. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have. The beautiful view of the beaches may also have a hand in this. At the southern tip of the peninsula is Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. The Peninsula is covered by spectacular beaches that host nature's best. 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. Access to natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables (stables of the Nicoyans) is difficult to come by. Look for howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots and parakeets, and bigger birds like herons and hawks. That's why this part of Costa Rica is designated a Blue Zone, the term used for just five areas of the world where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. Youll stay in one of 21 suites, bungalows, and villas; lounge in poolside hammocks; walk on the beach; swim; and enjoy seafood purchased from local fishers and bread by the local baker in the open-air Manzu Restaurant thats right on Playa Santa Teresa. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. 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. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. They are eye-opening and heart-tugging. Everywhere you go in Costa Rica, youll hear pura vida! and soon feel the freedom to adopt the pura vida lifestyle yourself. 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. We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). The term first emerged in 2005 in a Nation Geographic magazine cover, "The Secrets of a Long Life.". Nicoyans often live more than 100 years and Nicoya boasts of the highest number of centenarians in the world. In the future, when we do emerge from the current pandemic, many cities and companies will revisit well-being as a main topic for their citizens and employees. The international attendees also included Dan Buettner, a reporter and researcher for National Geographic, who has been responsible for popularizing the concept of Blue Zones through the publication of various articles and best-selling books that explore the direct connection between this issue and diet, spirituality, purpose in life and physical exercise, with happiness as a cross-cutting element. 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 distinguished list included pioneering researchers on this subject: Michel Poulain of Belgium, Dr. Gianni Mario Pes and Paolo Francalacci from Sardinia, Italy, Christina Chrysochoou from Icaria, Greece, Makoto Suzuki from Okinawa, Japan, Gina Siapco from Loma Linda, USA, and Diego Bernardini from Argentina. American researcher, Dan Buettner, discovered that people in these areas shared several lifestyle characteristics: They don't smoke; They eat a plant-based diet 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. howler and white face monkeys, red variegated squirrels, sloths, anteaters, raccoon-like coatis, butterflies, plus some 900 bird species including the fiery-billed aracari toucan and the rufous-tailed hummingbird. "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. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. Now I was excited to roam off the beaten path into a world-famous Nicoya Peninsula blue zone. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. They have groups of friend with whom they share healthy habits.". For the first time ever, the world's most prominent researchers shared their knowledge and most recent research on the topic of Blue Zones. 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. El propsito de la compaa es promover y crear conciencia sobre el consumo de productos de alta calidad, con valor nutricional y . Technology permeates everyday life and Nicoya is the perfect place to go for a digital detox. Inadequate calcium means weak muscles -- including the heart. 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. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. In other words, it lives longer than the average global life expectancy. For those who might need some meal ideas, Dan Buettner, wrote the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. 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. 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. Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! 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. 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. 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. The traditional diet in the area is also notable. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Costa Rica is one of the few tropical countries where its safe to drink tap water even for foreigners and theres no need to buy plastic water bottles. Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a Central American Caribbean nation that boasts economic security and excellent health care. ", For Belgian researcher Michel Poulain, one of the most important message of the World Meeting of Blue Zones is to tell the world that "Costa Rica has a treasure of longevity in the Nicoya Peninsula, that comes from the past generations, which has been built year by year. You can hike along trails, go horseback riding, kayak through the mangroves, and swim off the beach. Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. People from Nicoya enjoy an ample dose of Vitamin D. They spend most of their time outside tending to the land and enjoy a healthy relationship with surrounding nature. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. First . The chance to do yoga in an open-air pavilion on the beach is not to be missed! Stir in two chopped plum tomatoes, half of a finely chopped onion and one . Try our meal idea that reflects elements of the Nicoyan Peninsula Blue Zoners' diet. The Nicoya Peninsula is on Costa Ricas north Pacific coast. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or are overweight tend to have a more difficult time if they are infected by COVID-19. When you book through our trusted partners we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Would you like to visit the Nicoya Peninsula? Montezuma is great for long beach walks and jungle hikes. What Is The Potential Of Generative AI In Healthcare? Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. It is a template outlining the lifestyles of people who live in places like Nicoya, Costa Rica. Results were also shared from the research carried out by the demographer Luis Rosero and Dr. Elizabeth Lopez, both from Costa Rica, who made significant contributions on the subject of healthy longevity. So, Nicoya is another blue zone in the world alongside Okinawa (Japan), Cerdea (Italia), Icaria (Greece) and Loma Linda (California). Nearby are waterfalls at Montezuma, ziplining near the Cabo Blanco Reserve, and kite surfing. It's also an area identified as a "Blue Zone . 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. Lane cites the impact of COVID-19 on minorities like Blacks and Hispanics throughout Chicago. In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. Dan discovered five places where residents have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. Sustainability is said to be a way of life, and Costa Rica has actually reversed deforestation; protects more than a quarter of its landmass via 29 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, and eight biological reserves; gets 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, and aims to be completely decarbonized by 2050. Theyre focused on sick care, and so the actual healthcare is often neglected, says Chaves. 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. They feel needed, and their daily lives revolve around their family and community. What we can incorporate about Nicoya into our culture is the sense of purpose Nicoyans enjoy. One is the plan de vida, or reason to live, which propels a positive outlook among elders and helps keep them active. 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. Another option is to take the 75-minute ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas to Paquera. 11 talking about this. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. 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. This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. Also on offer are boat trips to the volcanic Tortuga Islands, where snorkelers might spot angelfish and porcupine fish, and theres a chance of seeing dolphins, manta and spotted eagle rays, and turtles on the way. Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. Staples of the traditional Nicoya diet include homemade corn tortillas, black beans, white rice, a variety of squash, yams, papaya, bananas, and pejibayes. Toss gently. 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 cantons are: Carillo, Hojancha, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Nandoyure. Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. Buettner's studies on the Nicoya Peninsula revealed eight key factors that affect people's life expectancy. Guest Writer for Wake Up World. If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. So, having extra-hard water may help keep Nicoyans' hearts strong, and longer. These places are full of one-hundred-year-olds who have reached such like live wires, not in bed or in hospital. Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In mid-November 2017, the first World Meeting of Blue Zones was held. 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. He then went on release a book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who Have Lived the Longest in 2008. 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). This calcium leads to stronger bones and the ability to stay physically active at a later age. 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. The Adventists are praying. 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". Nantipa means blue in the language of the Chorotega people, some of the first known people to live in the Nicoya region. It includes black beans, cooked plantains, fresh papaya, yams, squash, homemade corn tortillas, and fish (if near the coast). The world has a number of Blue Zones, areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. My Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Retreat. I also suggest watching his TED Talk. 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!) When that day comes, Nicoyas Blue Zone will continue to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit. In parallel, and with the purpose of generating public policies, a Framework Cooperation Agreement in order to establish, promote and support the Blue Zone in the Nicoya Peninsula. Guevara lives in the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica. Cities throughout the world can use this template to encourage people to live healthier lives. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. 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. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. One of the world's Blue Zones is in Nicoya, Costa Rica. 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. By Ty and Charlene Bollinger. . Over the last several months, the world has mourned the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. He has written numerous books on the topic, but I suggest starting with: Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen (a cookbook). Modern Nicoyans roots to the indigenous Chorotega and their traditions have enabled them to remain relatively free of stress. Each region has its own diet, types of exercise, and community structure, but each has specific elements in common - all starting with a sense of purpose. 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. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. They typically do not consume a lot of meat. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. For more information read our privacy policy. A three-course farm-to-table dinner with a tour of the organic garden is available Mondays and Thursdays. It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! 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. When Dan Buettner introduced the concept of Blue Zones, he formed the Blue Zones Project. 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). Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. Are We Headed To A World In Which We Own Nothing? Get your fill of fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, and passionfruit and vegetables and legumes like squash, cassava, plantain, yam, and beans. 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. Costa Rica as a whole is a happy place. Many Nicoyans choose to walk from one destination to another instead of driving. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. "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." 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. Speaking of work, finding work/life balance is a constant challenge for many. The baby turtles hatch 45 to 54 days later and, if theyre lucky, might live another 50 to 80 years. Buettner approached National Geograhic with his idea and they agreed to help fund his research. This information has been translated into lessons that can be implemented into your everyday life. Contents1 Is Costa Rica considered [] Research shows that 30% of longevity comes from genes, and the remaining 70% from lifestyle. 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. Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging. 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. These include Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece . Your email address will not be published. The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. Sardinia, Italy. 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. A blue zone is a geographical area in which the population is the longest-lived. 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. One thing I found especially interesting is the idea that this long life span is dying out. Thanks to the peninsula's reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. 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. 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. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. "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. But we must also consider the impact of our individual health and lifestyle choices on future generations.
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