Living in a Blue Zone
Explore beautiful Costa Rica, one of the five Blue Zones of the world, where people live measurably longer and healthier lives. Discover healthy lifeways through cooking classes, lectures, readings, and excursions to the farmer’s market. See firsthand the challenges of sustainable travel as you visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Thermal Hot Springs, La Fortuna Waterfalls, Palo Verde Park, and Samara Beach. Learn about the rich indigenous cultural heritage of the region by visiting Guaitil, a village dedicated to traditional Chorotega pottery. Visit a coffee farm and learn about coffee, chocolate, and sugar making (samples, of course!). Activities include a rainforest boat trip, and options for a zipline canopy tour, swimming under a rainforest waterfall, kayaking and snorkeling in the Pacific, surfing, and horseback riding in the mountains. Options for quieter moments include seeing fabulous orchids, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Live with a local family in a small city rich in traditional culture. Practice Spanish in small, relaxed groups with our partner school, Academia de Español Nicoya, at any level—from basic phrases for those with no background in the language on up to classes tailored for native speakers.
Most importantly, examine the connections between sustainability and wellness and make a difference in children’s lives by creating and delivering unique health promotion lessons to kids ages 5-12; and work alongside health professionals to help provide health screenings and referrals to the local children.
