Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. Lane reasons why Chicago should use the Blue Zones template to improve the lives of people who live there. You can, thanks to the world's "blue zones." Spirituality and religious involvement/ beliefs. 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. Meanwhile, last year the average individual from the United States ate 222.2 pounds of meat and poultry. Add the red onions, sliced radishes, tomatoes, orange supremes, cilantro and 3 tablespoons oil to the cabbage. Warm, Sunny Climate. People often consider the impact of global decisions on future generations through legislation. 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. Read more below about the lessons that Nicoya, Costa Rica can teach you about longevity. There are five areas of the world that meet the qualifications of Blue Zone as defined by Buettner. Customer Experience Critical To Consumer Preference: IAAPA CEO Comments On Key Trends, When It Comes To Advertising, Multicultural Representation Is Not Enough. 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. Maintaining close ties with family and friends helps reduce stress. 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). This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. This is a BETA experience. The centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula have also captured the interest of the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) of the National University (Universidad Nacional) of Costa Rica, which is carrying out a study on the subject this year. 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). Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. 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. Soltara Healing Center is located on the calm and pristine Gulf of Nicoya in the mountainous jungle of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. This is why the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo) launched the Wellness Pura Vida country strategy, which seeks to position Costa Rica as a wellness destination with a difference, which offers unique, transforming experiences. seen in blue zones. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. However, altering your diet, increasing the amount of exercise you get in a given day, and embracing relationships with family and friends are good places to start. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. It is also one of the world's Blue Zones. It consists of 100 recipes with ingredients used by those who live in Nicoya, Costa Rica and the other four Blue Zones. Eco-tourism is a natural must in this out-of-this-world scenario, where everything that happens is in a quiet, lovely pace. Your email address will not be published. Arising from this need, one of the results of the meeting was the establishment of an International Network on Healthy Aging, which will be led from Costa Rica in order to "build knowledge collaboratively", said Montero. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I mean, how can you not be happy when the average daily temperature is 85 degrees fahrenheit, you can easily get to the beach or jungle, and youre surrounded by an abundance of nature and wildlife? If we can harness that, we can hopefully improve the health of future generations. 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 website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Costa Rica is known for its pura vida lifestyle and attitude. Nicoya, also known as the Nicoya Peninsula has not been only recognized as one of the 5 places in the planet with surprisingly high rate of longevity but also as the highest concentration of centenarians in the world. 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. Located on the Guanacaste Peninsula in northwestern Costa Rica, Nicoya is a rural, beachside, blue-zone community. They typically do not consume a lot of meat. Tamarindo is also a great place for solo travelers. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. The world has 5 recognized Blue Zones (as determined by the authority of National Geographic ). In the south between the Paquera ferry and the village of Tambor, youll have an excellent chance of seeing wildlife within the privately-owned Cur Wildlife Reserve. Face-to-Face Conversations. Costa Rica as a whole is a happy place. This Blue Zone is in the mountains of the Nicoyan Peninsula in western Costa Rica. They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands, and they tend not to consume much meat. They find joy in everyday physical chores. As of now, there are 5 blue zones: Icaria, Greece. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. For the first time ever, the world's most prominent researchers shared their knowledge and most recent research on the topic of Blue Zones. By Ty and Charlene Bollinger. This treasure includes the atmosphere around you." That means family ties are the backbone for most peoples existence. He then had the idea to research areas in the world with the longest lifespan. Protein helps to rebuild and repair tissue, as well as it helps a person to feel full. 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. obesity, or heart disease. LIKED THIS? Nicoya, Costa Rica. These characteristics are: Despite this, it is believed that 30% of a long healthy life comes from genes and 70% is based on lifestyle. For those who might need some meal ideas, Dan Buettner, wrote the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. I will be visiting Costa Rica next week to meet with Jorge who founded a local organization that helps the small Blue Zone villages. So, Nicoya is another blue zone in the world alongside Okinawa (Japan), Cerdea (Italia), Icaria (Greece) and Loma Linda (California). That is when brands, businesses and cities will be able to look at Blue Zones like the one in Nicoya and find a model to follow. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. Lane cites the impact of COVID-19 on minorities like Blacks and Hispanics throughout Chicago. 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. 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. Sardinia, Italy. Learn more about typical diet with our Guide to Costa Rican Food. Wildlife is abundant. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2008-2023 Law Dissertation Writing Services. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. The five blue zones are: Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. 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. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. The reason why they are called "blue zones" is a curious story Having a Blue Zone helps strengthen the country's constant striving for quality of life, both for Costa Ricans and for tourists. This has paid off, with Costa Rica frequently scoring high in world happiness and environmental rankings. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: Researchers found that the probability of becoming a centenarian for a 60-year-old man residing in Nicoya is 4.8%, which was even more than double that of Okinawa, the second highest in the comparison, and it was almost seven times that of Sardinia and Japan (6). To understand some of the reasons why Blue-Zoners live healthier, longer lives, let's take another look at Ricardo's daily routine. Out of these cookies, 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. Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a Central American Caribbean nation that boasts economic security and excellent health care. 4. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Thanks to the peninsulas reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. If you want to get underground, Barra Honda National Park has a system of 42 caves and you can explore Terciopelo Cave on a tour. Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Swimming holes dot the peninsula too, including beneath the Montezuma waterfall. Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine. The term first emerged in 2005 in a Nation Geographic magazine cover, "The Secrets of a Long Life.". It includes black beans, cooked plantains, fresh papaya, yams, squash, homemade corn tortillas, and fish (if near the coast). If you want to really embrace the Nicoya Peninsula blue zone vibe, head to any small village in the area. 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. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. 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. But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. 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. It remains to be seen if the COVID pandemic will affect that average. Complex carbs provide the energy a person needs to get through the day. In parallel, the ICT has drawn attention to the concept of the Blue Zone as part of its wellness tourism strategy as a distinctive feature in promoting the destination, while the Ministry of Culture and Youth has identified the long-lived inhabitants as bearers of a tradition which they can contribute to recovering for future generations. However, Costa Rica's blue zone is so much more. Offering barefoot luxury on Playa Langosta this family-owned boutique hotel is a 15-minute walk from downtown Tamarindo. 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. Many Nicoyans choose to walk from one destination to another instead of driving. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. While we may not increase the average life expectancy throughout the world we can use Nicoya as a template for healthier living. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. Nicoya is famous for being a marvelous playground for surfers all over the world. It is not unusual for many generations to live on one property or in very close proximity to each other. First . Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica (its better for your digestion to eat a bigger breakfast and lunch and a lighter dinner). ", 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. Residents of this 80-mile peninsula found south of the Nicaraguan border have the world's lowest middle-age mortality rates, and the second highest number of male centenarians in the world. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Of course, there is still a desire for success (especially in the cities) but in general, the priorities are shifted. 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. This vigorous village is one of the Blue Zones' unique hotspots. People who have diabetes, heart conditions, or are overweight tend to have a more difficult time if they are infected by COVID-19. Making the smart choice in traditional Blue Zones is often the only choice available, not really a choice at all. 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. Nicoya, Costa Rica: A Puzzling Blue Zone Diet Light on Vegetables and High in Carbohydrate and Sugar. March 2nd, 2023. 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. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longest. He has written numerous books on the topic, but I suggest starting with: Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen (a cookbook). 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. Currently, three emblematic examples of this Blue Zone include the centenarians Jos Bonifacio "Pachito" Villegas, from Pochote de Quebrada Honda, Nicoya, who rides a horse every day at age 100, Trinidad Espinoza, who recounts anecdotes from Costa Rica in the 1930s continuously while she feeds her chickens, and Dmaso Mendoza, age 102, who, on receiving a visitor, always talks about her years as a dancer and how she enjoys the company of the five generations of her family in Santa Ana de Beln, Carillo. So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? 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. It was time for me to conquer the Nicoya Peninsula. 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. If youre eating a standard American diet, its probably shaving about six to 10 years off of your life expectancy, Buettner says. So why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? Do you have any questions about the Costa Rica Blue Zone? Wellness enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. 11 talking about this. What are Blue Zones? We can no longer afford to allow the COVID pandemic to cause us to live in or out of a place of fear. Nicoyan centenarians have been the focus of many articles. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. Along with starting every morning with a healthy breakfast, Nicoyans also eat nutritious food throughout the day. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. 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. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. Required fields are marked *, car rental deal! Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . 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. Nicoya is located far off in Northeastern Costa Rica. Due to the Nicoya Peninsula's location in Central America, the area has an abundance of warm days with tons of sunlight. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The town of Nicoya is considered the oldest in Costa Rica, it is popularly known as "the colonial city". Heres how to plan a trip to the Blue Zone in Costa Rica. All rights reserved. Are you interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Blue Zone and other zones of the world? 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. Still planning? Not long after, he began to lead trips to the first Blue Zones that he had discovered. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. The heart is a muscle, and all muscle contractions depend on calcium. It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. We hope you love the Blue Zone Costa Rica stays we recommend. 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. 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). It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! 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.) Several of Nicoyas beaches like those in the Ostional National Wildlife Reserve are nesting grounds for Kemps Ridley, green, and leatherback turtles. 3 International Psychedelic Retreats Poised To Take Wellness Travel Into the Future, The Most Romantic Couples Massages in Las Vegas, The 20 Happiest Countries in the World, 2022, What Its Like To Stay at Hilton Head Health, One of Americas Most Renowned Wellness Resorts, 5 Types of Meditation That Will Relieve Your Travel Stress, long-life characteristics of the Nicoya Peninsula, How To Move To Costa Rica and Live There on the Cheap, These Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park Basecamps, 8 of the Coolest Airbnbs Near Disney World, Orlando, 8 La Condesa Airbnbs To Settle Into Mexico Citys Coolest Neighborhood, The 11 Absolute Best Beaches in Costa Rica, This Luxury Hotel Has Transformed a Plane Into a Suite in the Costa Rican Jungle, A Guide To Feeling Your Best as a Plus-Size SpaGuest, The Best Airbnbs in Venice, From a Rialto Flat To a San Marco Studio, Download the
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