Santa Teresa’s Secret to a Long Life
On Costa Rica’s westernmost peninsula lies one of the world’s five “blue zones”—where the people live longer than anywhere else on earth.
Photographs by Pia Riverola
Illustrations by Matt Chinworth
IT’S A LONG AND BUMPY ROAD to the idyllic village of Santa Teresa, but perhaps a rough ride is a small price to pay for the revitalizing retreat that lies on Costa Rica’s rugged Pacific Coast. Here on the Nicoya Peninsula, wellness roots run deep — it is, after all, one of the world’s five original Blue Zone areas. In these exceptional geographic spots (the other four being Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; and Loma Linda, California), people live longer than anywhere else on earth.
“Nicoyans have arguably the lowest rate of middle-age mortality in the world,” says Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. “It’s due to a cluster of behaviors, and it’s mostly environmental — it’s because they live in the right place.” Following a Nicoyan lifestyle may be a key to longevity — or it could just be an escape into the wilds of one of the world’s most restorative locales.
“If you visit Santa Teresa, you want to take a different ride from what you are used to, so leave the stress at home and come and slow the pace down.” — Edith Garcia, Airbnb host who leads a SUP Experience
Nicoyans Form Strong Social Bonds
In Santa Teresa, the golden hour isn’t just a photo op — it’s a reason to party. Everyday, hundreds gather on the beach to watch the sunset. Nicoya, like other Blue Zone areas, is noted for its tight-knit communities.
• Head to Playa Carmen at sunset, where après-surf culture thrives over bonfires and Frisbee. “Everything here is slower — no rat races,” says Alvaro Dormus, Airbnb host and owner of Salt Water Surfing Co. “We rise early to surf, work our jobs, and watch the beautiful sunsets, truly present for it all.”
- Stroll down the unpaved main drag (a.k.a. “the main road”) to meet the town’s friendly inhabitants who meet for lunch at cafés like Chop It and the Bakery or cruise around on their ATVs with surfboards and dogs in tow. You may bump into world-renowned surf champion Veronica Quiros, who sells a swimwear line at her store, Tica Surf Bikinis.
- At night, have a drink with the regulars at Ranchos Itaúna, an expat beach bar situated between Playa Carmen and Playa Santa Teresa.
They Follow a (Mostly) Plant-Based Diet
For centuries, Nicoyans have been eating simple meals consisting of 70 to 80 percent gallo pinto (rice and beans), ayote (a type of squash), and tropical fruits. These high-fiber, antioxidant-packed staples are still on the menu in Santa Teresa, where regional fare and fresh juices fuel surf sessions.
• Hydrate with a vitamin C–rich Mango Passion smoothie (made with local passion fruit, mango, coconut nectar, bee pollen, and chia seeds) at Café Social, a healthy food haven on the main road.
• Sample Nicoyan coffee, a deeply flavored peaberry brew, as coffee drinking has been shown to lower risk of certain diseases. For the full experience, go on the Diriá Coffee Tour in Hojancha, a nearby town famous for its centenarians.
- Order the casado (a typical Tico meal consisting of rice, beans, vegetables, plantain, and optional cheese or meat) at Soda La Amistad, a family-run restaurant in town.
They Like to Move It
Moderate yet constant activity is an essential part of daily Nicoyan life. Many residents spend their days outside, walking, biking, and tending to their milpas (traditional gardens).
- Drop in to a 9 a.m. class at Horizon Yoga Center, a hillside studio located on Calle Buenos Aires. The outdoor deck offers panoramic views of the ocean and jungle.
- Take a lesson with Soul Surf Surfing School at Playa Hermosa, a beach north of town where the gentler currents are suited to beginners. Intermediate or advanced surfers can catch a wave at Playa Carmen, Playa Santa Teresa, or the “Suck Rock,” a legendary point break in the region.
- Hit the hiking trails at the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve or the Montezuma Waterfall, both a short ATV or car ride away.
They Know How to Be Happy
There’s a reason so many claim they came to Santa Teresa for a week and never left — each laid-back day rolls into the next, marked by sunrises and sunsets instead of clocks and calendars. This encapsulates pura vida, the Costa Rican mantra celebrating simple things that bring joy.
- Walk north along the beach to a sunlit meditation spot referred to as Big Rock. Sunny weather is common among Blue Zone areas; here, locals get plenty of sun, which helps boost vitamin D, low levels of which have been linked to higher rates of depression, says Buettner.
- Research shows that Nicoyans have high life satisfaction. “Everyone here seems to make time to pursue their passions,” says Maya DeGabrielle, Airbnb host and founder of Sundah Surfers. For inspiration on finding your bliss, watch owner Margriet Zwart paint at the lively Zwart Art Café.
- Meditate through movement at Pranamar Yoga’s Ecstatic Dance event, a nonverbal, drug- and alcohol-free party that takes place every other Friday after sunset. Expect to leave with open chakras and a newfound appreciation for grooving in the moonlight.
About the author: Julia Eskins is a freelance writer, editor and contributor to Architectural Digest, AFAR, Airbnb Magazine, Bloomberg Pursuits, Lonely Planet, and ELLE Canada, among other publications.
