On Costa Rica’s Pacific coast lies the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s famous “Blue Zones,” where Costa Ricans live exceptionally healthy and happy lives.
The region’s remarkable nature reserves and dedication to sustainable practices make it popular with ecotourists. Meanwhile, its extensive coastline and pristine beaches attract surfers from around the world.
Tourists and expats tend to concentrate along the coast, in popular beach towns like Nosara and Santa Teresa, while many of the locals live in farming communities further inland, where the cattle trade is very important.
We explore what makes the Nicoya Peninsula one of the world’s most famous Blue Zones.
What is the Blue Zone?
The term “Blue Zone” was coined by the New York Times bestseller “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from People Who’ve Lived the Longest,” written by Dan Buettner and published by the National Geographic Society in 2008. In his book, Buettner identified areas of the world with above-average life expectancies. The so-called Blue Zones of the world have a high concentration of people over 100 years old and have significantly fewer disabilities and diseases.
On the Nicoya Peninsula, the proportion of centenarians is approximately three and a half times the global average. This coastal region has the second-highest concentration of men over 100, as well as one of the lowest midlife mortality rates.
Other Blue Zones in Buettner’s study included Okinawa (Japan), the Greek island of Ikaria (Aegean), an Adventist community in Loma Linda (California), and the Barbagia region (Sardinia, Italy).
The Secrets of the Nicoya Peninsula
Why do native Costa Ricans on the Nicoya Peninsula live longer?
A number of lifestyle factors have contributed to the population’s overall good health, and these factors are shared with other residents of the Blue Zone.
According to Buettner’s research, most centenarians share a sense of purpose that often centers on family and/or faith. On the Nicoya Peninsula, this is known as a plan de vida, or “reason for living.”
Blue Zone residents possess a strong work ethic, maintain an active lifestyle, and sleep well. With regular sunshine, they also get plenty of vitamin D.
Packed with calcium and magnesium, Nicoya’s hard water has been identified as a likely contributing factor to its residents’ health. The long-lived locals also share a healthy, largely plant-based diet that includes regional delicacies like cashews and noni.
A Culture of Wellness
Costa Rica has become one of the world’s leading destinations for wellness retreats. Its beautiful natural surroundings and abundant wildlife make it the perfect place to unwind, relax, and disconnect from the chaos of 21st-century life.
With its vast nature reserves and pristine beaches, the Nicoya Peninsula is a particularly attractive place for wellness lovers. The region is also dotted with yoga and wellness resorts, offering various spiritual activities and holistic therapies.
Here, travelers from all over the world can delve into the secrets of this extraordinary Blue Zone, home to some of the oldest and healthiest people in the world.
Fuente: www.benoitproperties.com