Nicoya, Costa Rica

About the Region

Located on Costa Rica's northwestern Guanacaste peninsula, Nicoya has one of the lowest middle-age mortality rates in the world. A 60-year-old Nicoyan's odds of reaching 90 are more than double those of an American peer.

What makes the region distinctive is how clearly it shows that longevity can't be explained by genetics alone: Nicoyans live in one of the world's poorer countries with limited access to modern healthcare — yet centenarians are plentiful.

Diet: The Three Sisters

Traditional Nicoyan cooking is built on a trio known as the "Three Sisters": beans, corn and squash. Together they provide a complete amino acid profile, high fiber, and rich antioxidants.

• Beans: At every meal, from breakfast to dinner. A reserve of plant protein, fiber and B vitamins. Studies find lower cardiovascular risk among daily bean-eaters.
• Corn (Nixtamal): Corn treated with lime, which boosts niacin bioavailability. Tortillas and gallo pinto (a beans-and-rice dish) are staple meals.
• Squash: A source of fiber, beta-carotene and magnesium.
• Pejibaye (Peach Palm): A local energy source; a tropical fruit rich in beta-carotene and fiber.
• Hard Water: The region's water is exceptionally rich in calcium and magnesium. Researchers are studying this "hard water's" contribution to cardiovascular health.
• Little Meat, Almost No Processed Food: Small amounts of chicken and fish; red meat and packaged food are almost absent.

Plan de Vida and Faith

Plan de vida — "life plan." Ask a Nicoyan "why do you live?" and they'll answer instantly, with conviction. This strong sense of purpose shows up again and again in research as a factor that meaningfully lowers mortality risk.

• Strong Catholic Faith: The church sits at the center of social life in Nicoya, serving as both a support network and a source of meaning.
• Family Bonds: Nicoyans aren't given to complaint — they're grateful. They downplay their problems and focus on solutions, and this outlook builds real psychological resilience.
• Physical Work: Men in their 90s have been documented still farming and raising livestock. The concept of "retirement" barely exists in Nicoyan culture.

Power 9: Principles That Stand Out in Nicoya