The world’s Blue Zones are areas of the world where the people live longer than people in other parts. One of the Blue Zones is in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. The Costa Ricans who live in the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone have an average life expectancy higher than the rest of the world, and it is one of only five Blue Zones on Earth.
Many people know Costa Rica for it’s lush rainforests and tourists coming to see the wide range of animals in the country, but once you move away from the hustle and bustle and head towards the Nicoya Peninsula, you will certainly see why this place stands apart. As you travel deeper into the hills and valleys, you will see evidence of what makes this place so special. I have traveled to Nicoya’s Blue Zone, and I can’t wait to share what I found.
Imagine the Life The Nicoya Peninsula’s Costa Ricans Live
I have to admit, the first time I traveled to this area of the world, I wasn’t sure what I would find. As my guide and I got closer to the villages and towns that dot the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, I noticed that there was a lot of native wildlife, including parrots and monkeys that began to make noise as the sun rose. This was the natural way that the people rose, too, as it served as a natural alarm clock and signaled that it was time to put the coffee on.
As I got to be more comfortable in the community, I really felt a sense of stepping back in time. There were a lot of small shops and even bars in the area, and the people got to these places on horseback. The farmers, who worked hard in the fields, were using oxcarts to move their crops. The homes were small and simple, and goats and cows grazed in the field. It was peaceful and stressless, and I could start to see why this place was one of the world’s Blue Zones.
What is a Blue Zone?
Though I briefly explained the meaning of a “Blue Zone,” above, it’s really important that you truly understand what this term means. Originally, it was coined by a man named Dan Buettner who began to research why people in some areas of the world were healthier and living longer than the rest of us. What he and his team found was astonishing, and eventually, he published a book about it in 2008.
Where are the World’s Blue Zones?
As I mentioned, above, there are five Blue Zones in the world. These are places where Dan Buettner and his team have determined that people are healthier and have greater longevity than those in the rest of the world, yet each of them have different traits that improve this good health and longer living. These places are:
- Sardinia, Italy – Known for jovial, happy people, and of course wine, which leads to the longest lifespan for males on the planet
- Okinawa, Japan – A focus on spending time with friends and family, and making that a priority, has created the longest lifespan for females on the planet
- Loma Linda, California – It surprised me that there was a place in the United States that was declared a Blue Zone, but it made sense to me because the people in this community are largely Seventh-Day Adventists who eat a vegan diet
- Ikaria, Greece – 33% of the population live into their 90s in Ikaria, and dementia is almost non-existent
- Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica – Men in this area who make it to age 60 are 7 times more likely than average to reach the age of 100
Where is the Blue Zone in Costa Rica?
The Blue Zone in Costa Rica is on the Nicoya Peninsula. Some of the towns in this area include Nosara, Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya., however, these are widely tourist destinations. The people who are known for longevity in this area are those who live outside of these areas in the mountains and in rural areas.
The question is, however, is why are the people in Nicoya Costa Rica living so long? Well, it has to do with their diet, their lifestyle, and their sense of purpose.
Diet
Costa Ricans eat a variety of foods, but almost all of their food is unprocessed and natural whole foods. These include tropical fruits native to the Nicoya region, fresh ingredients in recipes, rice, corn, and beans, which are all popular in Central America, and of course, coffee and calcium rich water. The people here eat meat only a couple of times a week. Some of the popular dishes include gallo pinto, fresh fruit, beans, and squash. The food is delicious, and I like to also add a bit of hot sauce!
The people in this area tend to start their day to day routine with a small meal in the morning and then a larger meal in the middle of the day. The do not eat food that has a lot of added sugar or food that is highly processed.
Life Style
In Costa Rica’s Nicoya area, like many of the Blue Zones of the world, the people have a high level of physical activity. Their routine tends to focus on manual labor and doing household chores, which are tougher than we might be used to due to where they live in rural areas.
It is also very common to spend a lot of time outdoors in Nicoya, Costa Rica. The weather during the dry season is warm and sunny, which allows them to work, eat, and relax outdoors. This is amazing for mental health, and it is a stark contrast to how I grew up in the US where we spent a lot of time indoors, even in the summer. On top of this, the people are getting more natural vitamin D, which is important for both bone and has heart health benefits.
Sense of Purpose
A sense of purpose, in this case having a lot of friends, family, and community, is important in this and in other Blue Zones. Having a sense of connection with others as you reach old age allows the people to not only interact with their peers, but also with future generations. This is called the “reason to live,” or plan de vida, in Nicoya, Costa Rica.
Spirituality is also important to those in this and in other Blue Zones. Here, I have found that most people are religious and mostly Catholic, but in other Blue Zones, really any sense of spirituality, not just a certain religion, plays a positive role.
Embrace the Blue Zone Lifestyle of Costa Rica
Every time I visit this area of the world I am amazed by the health benefits that they experience simply by having a clean diet, a physical lifestyle, and a sense of purpose. I can tell you from personal experience that the stress literally leaves my body as I arrive.
I don’t know if it’s the magic of the mountains or the welcoming aura of the people, but the Nicoya Blue Zone is one that I want to visit again and again.
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum.
