Costa Rica has long been a beacon for those seeking a slice of paradise, but in recent years, the allure has extended beyond its pristine beaches and lush jungles. Tourists are now flocking to the country for a different reason: to experience the fabled Blue Zone lifestyle. Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s five Blue Zones, is renowned for its residents’ remarkable health and longevity. But as this unique way of life becomes a selling point, the influx of visitors is beginning to erode the very traditions that made the Nicoya Peninsula a longevity hotspot in the first place.
What Is a Blue Zone?
The concept of a Blue Zone refers to regions where people live significantly longer and healthier lives compared to the global average. Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula is one such area, where residents enjoy an average lifespan of 85 years, largely thanks to strong community ties, daily physical activity, and a diet rich in fresh produce and lean proteins. These lifestyle habits have drawn the attention of longevity researchers and, subsequently, health-conscious tourists eager to experience this way of life for themselves.
Tourism’s Impact on the Blue Zone Lifestyle
While the surge in tourism has undeniably boosted Costa Rica’s economy—accounting for 4.8% of the country’s GDP in 2019—the changes it has brought to the Nicoya Peninsula are raising concerns among locals. As visitors arrive in droves, they bring with them demands for modern amenities, infrastructure improvements, and foods that are not native to the region. This has led to a gradual shift in local habits, with some of the Blue Zone’s key customs beginning to fade.
Thomas Jones, a long-time resident of the coastal town of Paquera, reflects on the changes he has witnessed over nearly 20 years. “One of the reasons we came here was because there was so little here, and we really enjoyed the real Costa Rica—the jungle and everything being very local,” Jones told Business Insider. “Of course, it’s never going to stay like that as things progress and there’s more people coming into the area, more developments coming up around here.”
Jones’s sentiment is shared by many locals who have watched their traditional lifestyle slowly give way to the demands of a growing tourism industry. What was once a region defined by simplicity and self-sufficiency is now being transformed by the very visitors it attracts.
The Cost of Convenience: Changing Lifestyles
As tourism reshapes the Nicoya Peninsula, the traditional Blue Zone lifestyle is under threat. Improved infrastructure, such as paved roads and increased access to transportation services, has made life easier for residents—but it has also reduced the need for the daily physical activity that has been a cornerstone of the region’s longevity. Where locals once walked long distances and engaged in physical labor as part of their daily routine, many now rely on modern conveniences that have lessened their physical exertion.
Juan Gabriel, a guide for Jones’s tourism company, Bahia Rica, grew up on a small island with no electricity. He has seen firsthand how the influx of tourism has changed his way of life. “The people, a long time ago, they had to live different; they had horses, they had to get up at 4 in the morning to take care of the cows, and then in the afternoon, they’d finish their day, but they didn’t have a lazy life,” Gabriel said. “Now, if you can buy it from the supermarket, why not?”
Gabriel acknowledges that while his upbringing taught him resilience and adaptability, he won’t be raising his children the same way—even though he knows it might be healthier for them. This shift in mindset is indicative of the broader changes taking place in the region, where the conveniences brought by tourism are slowly replacing the traditional practices that have sustained the Blue Zone lifestyle.
The Fast-Food Factor: A Threat to Diet and Health
Another significant impact of tourism is the introduction of Western foods into the Nicoya Peninsula. Fast-food chains and processed foods, once rare in the region, are becoming more common as businesses cater to tourists’ tastes. This shift in diet poses a direct threat to the health benefits that have been associated with the Blue Zone.
The traditional Nicoya diet, which emphasizes small portions, low sugar, and lean proteins, is being overshadowed by the convenience of fast food. Researchers have noted that this dietary shift, combined with reduced physical activity, could undermine the longevity that has made the region famous.
Luis Rosero-Bixby, a Costa Rican demographer who has conducted research with Stanford’s David Rehkopf, warns that the Blue Zone benefits are at risk. “These people are losing the advantage seen by previous generations,” Rosero-Bixby said. “It’s not uncommon to see people in Nicoya live to be in their 90s, but we’re seeing that number slip back down into the 80s.”
Blue Zone Tourism: A Double-Edged Sword
There’s no denying that tourism has brought economic benefits to the Nicoya Peninsula. It has created jobs, spurred development, and provided financial stability for many locals. However, this progress comes at a cost. The very traditions that have made the Blue Zone a symbol of health and longevity are being sacrificed in the name of modernization and convenience.
“A lot of people are using it for their business—Blue Zone this, Blue Zone that—I’m sure they know what it means, but the lifestyle is something that’s fading, unfortunately, because it was all the old-timers keeping it alive,” Jones said. “I think in about 10 years, there’s gonna be no more Blue Zone here because the old ones are going to die off, and the young ones don’t live the same lifestyle.”
Preserving the Blue Zone Legacy
As Costa Rica continues to welcome tourists eager to experience the Blue Zone lifestyle, the challenge will be finding a balance between preserving the region’s unique traditions and embracing the benefits of modernization. While tourism is vital to the country’s economy, it’s essential to remember that the true value of the Nicoya Peninsula lies in the way of life that has been passed down through generations.
To protect this legacy, both locals and tourists must recognize the importance of maintaining the practices that have made the Blue Zone a beacon of health and longevity. By doing so, Costa Rica can ensure that the Nicoya Peninsula remains a place where people not only live longer but also live well.
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