Samara is in 1 of 5 Blue Zones in the world

If you are looking for information by Dan Buettner and the Blue Zones website please click this link. https://www.bluezones.com/

According to Wikipedia, Blue Zones are regions of the world where Dan Buettner claims people live much longer than average. The term first appeared in his November 2005 National Geographic magazine cover story, “The Secrets of a Long Life”. Buettner identified five regions as “Blue Zones” (a term he trademarked). Nicoya in Costa Rica is one of the five Blue Zones in the world and Samara is in that district.

According to an article in HealthLine. They are called Blue Zones because when Buettner and his colleagues were searching for these areas, they drew blue circles around them on a map

*Please read the disclaimer at the end.

Samara and Carrillo are in the Nicoya Peninsula which is in the province of Guanacaste in the North-West of Costa Rica with a long history of wellness and happiness. This area has everything from cattle to bananas, mountains to pristine beaches, and coral reefs. The climate is perfect year-round with a temperature range of 25c to 38c with beautiful rainy and long dry seasons making for an abundance of vegetation and as a result plenty of animal life. In this area, the average life expectancy of a man is 88 years old and for women, over 90. It is reported that Costa Rica has more than 400 people over 100 years old.

A Blue Zone area is where the older generation is the happiest, healthiest, and has a high quality of life, living often well into their 100s.

The five Blue Zone areas are in Costa Rica, Japan, Greece, Italy, and California.

It has been discovered that these five very different locations have five qualities in common.

Weather – Having warm, comfortable weather all year helps to avoid aching bones, and joints and overall make life a little easier. The positive effects of daily sunlight, absorbing vitamin D plus fresh air all attribute to an overall feeling of wellness.

Diet – Because of the wonderful weather all year, freshly grown foods with little or no chemicals combined with corn rather than a wheat-based diet and with a strong work ethic means being active and eating well. Traditionally eating at home is preferred to go out for fast food. Freshwater high in Calcium is also a big factor for strong bones making breakage no big concern.

Medical – The older generation has easy access to full medical care when needed but with their traditional diet and activeness medical attention is needed much less than in most other areas of the world adding to the overall quality of life and happiness.

Family – Blue Zone areas have close family units, often with several generations living near to each other, visiting daily, sharing meals, and being involved with each other daily. The elders are treated with respect and are valued in the home and community.

Purpose – Being 100 years old you need a reason to continue, to keep the mind and soul active. Being close to and respected by family and friends, having high-quality foods, medical care, access to education, activities in communities, and excellent weather all attribute to overall wellness and provides a sharp mind with the opportunity to be up and active visiting, participating in community groups and events, interacting with multigenerational members of the community make it a joy and pleasure to be here.

Those are five major reasons common to the Blue Zone areas and in Costa Rica, we have many other fantastic reasons such as beautiful nature and wildlife, an abundance of food, relatively stress-free life, easy-going personalities, no military, low taxes, low population, renewable natural resources, stable banking, and government plus human rights all add up to a home you want to be in for 100 or more years.

However, in recent years the Nicoya Blue Zone has been coming into question by locals because of the passing of the seniors that lived the old lifestyle and changes in family dynamics as members relocate to larger cities for work. Also sighted are nationwide changes in dietary practices because of working households and access to more processed foods and economical fast food outlets. Costa Rica has seen an increase in pesticide use. The government of Costa Rica has noted concern with an increase in adult and child obesity, an increase in heart disease, alcoholism, sedimentary lifestyles, and an increase in stress, addictions, and suicides. This is a worldwide problem and it is undeniable that living in Costa Rica, especially the Nicoya area grants you a higher quality of life than most locations around the world. You can live well and a very long time here, it all comes down to the personal life choices that are made.

Pura Vida!