San Juanillo Costa Rica: A Hidden Gem in the Blue Zone

The town of San Juanillo, Costa Rica is a magical secret nestled on the Pacific Coast of the Nicoya Peninsula’s Blue Zone, which is one of five blue zones in the world. 

What is a Blue Zone?

Blue zones are those regions of the world where people consistently live healthier and longer lives with minimal chronic disease. (Read more in our article Blue Zones: Unlocking the Secrets of the World’s Longest-Lived People) The key to this healthy, long life include daily practice of the Power 9, mentioned in the above article, which involve natural movement, purpose and connection.

Daily Life in San Juanillo: The Blueprint for Health

Daily life in San Juanillo is a model for the Power 9 or those qualities of daily living that are found in the Blue Zones of the world. Since Costa Rica is close to the equator, the sun rises and sets around the same time everyday during the year with a variation of less than an hour. People wake up with the sun and wind down with sunset, following this natural rhythm of the Earth that is emphasized in ayurveda as well. Many visitors with a disrupted internal clock notice their circadian rhythms naturally synchronize with the circadian rhythms of the earth within a week.

The pace of life is slow in San Juanillo, we still have dirt, windy roads so you can’t go fast even if you want to and this allows you to connect with all the other natural inhabitants of this land including the howler monkeys. Life in San Juanillo is centered around nature, fishing, farming, foraging, walking along the beach, taking care of and connecting with family. In this way, movement is naturally integrated into life.

Many of the elders in San Juanillo have lived here their entire life and also play the role of a grandparent or great grandparent. It is common to see this generation walking without assistance, contributing to their families, tending to the gardens, harvesting food or fishing and participating in community gatherings. Their lives are very much purposeful and meaningful.

Food as Medicine

Many people live in extended families in which one person’s role is dedicated to food preparation. Meals are simple, fresh and prepared at home, many times with ingredients that are in the garden or foraged that day. Diets include beans, rice, corn, fruits, vegetables with small portions of locally caught fish. Meat is eaten occasionally, especially during holidays.

Artificial preservatives and processed foods have not been part of the kitchen until recently which is a separate conversation in itself. The diets of the newer generation are steering away from the diets of the older generation as modernization and conveniences slowly creep into the community.

The Role of Community

Blue Zone regions have strong family and social connections. San Juanillo illustrates this through its multi generational households and small town vibes. Children grow up in close contact with their grandparents and other family members in the community.  All elders are respected in the community even if they are not related and people have known each other for generations, there is a strong sense of connection and belonging.

The community comes together for festivals, holidays, beach clean ups, soccer games and when people are in need.

Nature as a Healer

San Juanillo’s rich and diverse natural landscape is a healer. The beaches, rivers and waterfalls are filled with negative ions (read “The Healing Properties of the Beach: Negative Ions for Health”). The biodiversity, clear blue skies, green fauna and rhythm of the tides and sun are all a natural detox for the body and mind.

Time outdoors is a part of life, not a weekend luxury. In a world increasingly dominated by artificial environments and stress, San Juanillo’s connection to the earth plays an important role in recharging, revitalizing and renewing.

Lessons from San Juanillo

San Juanillo is not just a beautiful destination, its culture is a living example of living in a Blue Zone which values:

• Moving naturally through its diverse landscape - walking, gardening, cooking, socializing.

• Eating simple and local - home prepared fresh and whole foods.

• Prioritizing relationships - spend time with family and contribute to community

• Finding purpose in daily life

• Unplugging and reconnecting

A Place That Changes You

Visiting San Juanillo is more than a vacation, it allows you to disconnect, recharge and recalibrate your health. It is a small town free of commercialization and over stimulation which makes it an easy way to reconnect to the subtle entertainment of nature and community. No matter how long you stay, you will be touched and transformed by this village’s simple living, you will leave feeling more connected.