Costa Rica's Blue Zone

There are only five official Blue Zones in the world:

  1. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
  2. Okinawa, Japan
  3. Sardinia, Italy
  4. Ikaria, Greece
  5. Loma Linda, California (specifically the Seventh-day Adventist community)

While these places span different continents, they all share core lifestyle traits—often called the "Power 9"—which include moving naturally throughout the day, having a clear purpose (plan de vida), putting family first, managing stress, and eating a mostly plant-based diet.

Costa Rica’s Blue Zone

The Nicoya Peninsula

Located on the Pacific coast, the Nicoya Peninsula is the only Blue Zone in Latin America. While Nicoyans check all the lifestyle boxes—they eat a traditional Mesoamerican diet of beans, squash, and corn, and stay highly active working the land—scientists discovered a massive environmental advantage right in their plumbing.

The Secret in the Water: "Hard" Water

Unlike many parts of the world where people prefer soft, highly filtered water, Nicoyans drink "hard" water. The water that filters through the limestone bedrock of the Nicoya Peninsula is naturally packed with exceptionally high concentrations of two minerals

Calcium

Nicoya’s drinking water has the highest calcium content in the country. Because the locals drink this water their entire lives, they absorb massive amounts of natural calcium. This directly correlates to incredible bone density. Nicoyan centenarians have significantly lower rates of osteoporosis, stronger bones, and far fewer hip fractures—a common injury that often triggers a decline in the elderly.

Magnesium

This essential mineral plays a massive role in muscle function and cardiovascular health. The combo of high magnesium and calcium in the water is believed to be a major reason why Nicoyans have noticeably lower rates of heart disease compared to the rest of the country.

When you combine a lifestyle of daily sunshine (Vitamin D helps absorb all that calcium!) with mineral-dense water and a low-stress Pura Vida mindset, you get a recipe for living to 100.