Blue Zone Living in Costa Rica:
Lifestyle Habits for a Longer Life in Paradise

What’s a Blue Zone?
It’s a question I first asked myself not long after moving to Costa Rica in 2007. Around that time, I saw an interview with Dan Buettner, the researcher who coined the term after studying communities around the world where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives.

In 2008, Buettner published The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. According to his research, there are five official Blue Zones worldwide—and Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula is one of them.

These regions have captured the attention of scientists, anthropologists, and everyday people alike. They’re places where locals consistently live longer, healthier lives compared to the general population. In fact, Nicoya, located in Guanacaste province, has one of the largest concentrations of centenarians (people over 100) in the world. Researchers have studied the area extensively, and it has earned a reputation as one of the healthiest places on Earth.

The Five Blue Zones

Sardinia, Italy
Okinawa, Japan
Loma Linda, California, USA
Icaria, Greece
Nicoya, Costa Rica

Photo: María “Panchita” Castillo Carillo of Nicoya, who lived to be 110 (d. 2016).

What Makes a Blue Zone?

Researchers have found common lifestyle habits across all Blue Zones, including:

Healthy diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, lean meats, and almost no processed foods.
Daily movement such as walking, farming, swimming, and household chores.
Fresh, clean air—in Nicoya, that means tropical mountain breezes.

Here in Costa Rica, the results speak for themselves: a 60-year-old man in Nicoya is about twice as likely to reach age 90 compared to peers in North America, Europe, or Japan. And while healthcare costs are a fraction of what they are in the U.S., Costa Ricans live longer, healthier lives.

The secret? A balance of simple living, strong social connections, hard work, and joy. Or as locals call it—pura vida.

Blue Zone Takeaways from Costa Rica

Pure, Natural Water

Nicoya’s water is naturally rich in calcium and magnesium, which support strong bones and muscles.

Family First

Costa Rican culture emphasizes family and community. Maintaining close relationships and strong social ties gives people a sense of belonging and purpose.

Hard Work

Staying active through daily labor keeps the body strong and the mind engaged, reinforcing both health and well-being.

Healthy Diet

Locals eat fresh, locally grown produce, clean protein, grains, and legumes. They also eat their biggest meal in the morning and the smallest at night, which supports metabolism and digestion.

Sunshine

Regular, natural sun exposure provides essential vitamin D, which can lower the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Just 20 minutes a day makes a difference.

Stress-Free Living

With a warm climate, affordable lifestyle, fresh food, and strong community ties, Costa Ricans don’t sweat the small stuff. Their easygoing approach to life creates the perfect conditions for long-term health.

Faith and Purpose

Almost all centenarians in Blue Zones belong to a faith-based or spiritual community. Research shows attending services just four times a month can add years to your life. Costa Ricans take faith seriously—but also balance it with joy and celebration, another lesson in living “pura vida.”

Are you ready to find your luxury home in Atenas today?

At PLD Atenas Realty, we understand that true luxury is about more than a home — it’s about the lifestyle that surrounds it. From extraordinary residences to the vehicles that carry you into new adventures, we help curate the details that make life in Costa Rica seamless, sophisticated, and unmistakably yours.

Since 2007, Gerardo and I have selectively curated only the BEST properties that Atenas has to offer. That’s our job. Your job is to sit back, relax and start living the “pura vida” in Atenas, Costa Rica!

Ready to take the next step?

Explore our luxury property listings to find your dream home in the world’s best climate and start living the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to achieve.