Science Explains Longevity in Latin America's Only 'Blue Zone'

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica defies conventional wisdom about aging, proving that a long life isn't solely dependent on wealth. This northwestern region, despite facing national poverty levels and relying on physical labor, boasts a remarkable number of centenarians. For decades, scientists have been drawn to Nicoya, the only "Blue Zone" in Latin America, to understand its exceptional longevity.

Residents here live far from luxury, in communities surrounded by nature and beaches. Historically, geographic isolation and hard work were constants for survival. Paradoxically, this economic reality has fostered one of the world's highest concentrations of people over 100 years old. "We were poor, but we always ate well," one resident summarized.

Official records indicate this phenomenon is not only ongoing but has grown. In 2017, Costa Rica's Ministry of Health reported around 800 residents over 90 and 41 centenarians. The Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Association currently registers 61 centenarians. Demographer Luis Rosero-Bixby's earlier research highlighted Nicoya's unique concentration of healthy elderly adults, noting a 10% lower mortality rate among those over 90 compared to the rest of Costa Rica.

Rosero-Bixby's 2008 study in Demography revealed that a 60-year-old man in Nicoya had four times the probability of reaching 100 compared to another Costa Rican. Internationally, his chances were seven times higher than a Japanese man's and ten times greater than an American's. This extraordinary life expectancy isn't linked to high incomes or specialized medicine. Instead, Nicoya, despite its low socioeconomic development, benefits from a robust primary healthcare system that includes regular home visits for the elderly. One notable case is José Flores, whose longevity draws particular scientific attention.