Live Well on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

The world knows Costa Rica for its unique wildlife, beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and commitment to the protecting the environment. On the Northwest Pacific Coast of Costa Rica sits the Nicoya Peninsula which aggregates the best of these features; an infamous concentration of biodiversity, world renowned surf spots at undeveloped beaches, helpful, friendly Ticos who invite you to enjoy their town fiestas, and organizations working at every level to protect it. The area receives its fair share of tourists, surfers, and nature-lovers for these reasons but many do not realize just how special the Nicoya Peninsula is. It was officially declared a Blue Zone in 2008 by Dan Buettner who studied areas where people tend to live longer lives than in other parts of the world. The study was published in National Geographic, giving the phrase and highlighted areas new attention.

 

What makes an area a Blue Zone? 

According to Buettner’s study, people who live in Blue Zones share common characteristics.

• Family & Social Time – Blue Zone residents find their will to live in spending time with and providing for their families. They also make time for social events and participate in community activities.
• Less Smoking – there is low incidence of smoking in Blue Zones.
• Plant and legume-based diet – beans, rice, fresh vegetables, and fruits are staples in Blue Zone meals. Meat, fish, and other animal-based proteins are only occasionally in residents’ diets.
• Physical activity – the Blue Zone lifestyle is an active one, keeping residents healthy, longer.

 

With only five of these veritable “fountains of youth” on the planet, the Nicoya Peninsula marks the only Blue Zone in the Western Hemisphere. (Another exists in Loma Linda, California, but is a closed 7th Day Adventist community.) A sixty year old man living on the Nicoya Peninsula is more likely to reach 90 years old than any man in the US, France, or even Japan (home of another Blue Zone).

 

Why choose a Blue Zone for your retirement or vacation home?

If you could live a long, healthy, and happy life somewhere – without medical treatment to do so – most people would probably make that move. Here are some of the ways that Pueblo Verde, located on the Pacific Coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, helps its residents and visitors take full advantage of the best lifestyle on this side of earth:

1.  Pueblo Verde is a growing community of families who are also friends. They support each other and gather together regularly to celebrate each other’s successes, share homegrown food, and appreciate “pura vida.”

2.  If you have ever driven through Pueblo Verde, you see that residents tend to have a more active lifestyle than your average vacationer. Whether its building their own home or growing their own food, residents are constantly developing their homesteads. After the day’s work, it’s time to head to the beach for walks, sunsets, swimming, or snorkeling.

 

3.  Pueblo Verde is strategically  planted with fruit trees in common areas and residents have their own orchards growing on their lots. Home gardens provide for succulent greens, vegetables, and beans. Chickens, goats, and most recently, ducks, are sources of eggs, cheese, and meat. Residents agree that a local, organic-based, and sustainable food system is important not just for our own health but for the planet’s.

4.  Pueblo Verde homeowners are involved in good things happening in the community, including work at the local, organic farm, Mi Tierra, a honey micro-lending program, and Restoring Our Watershed, a US-based non-profit that protects and restores our home Nandamojo river valley.

 

While we can’t guarantee you’ll live as long as a Tico, we do think you’ll live healthier and happier in Pueblo Verde. Visit us to see these features in person and get acquainted with our community.