I’ve walked the quiet streets of Okinawa, sipped wine with Sardinian farmers, and shared meals with families in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting the world’s five Blue Zones…the rare places where people routinely live past 100, and do so with energy, purpose, and joy.
What’s most inspiring isn’t just their impressive longevity. It’s the way these communities live: unhurried, deeply connected, and grounded in simple daily habits that keep them healthy well into old age. You notice it in the way neighbors greet each other, in the long, laughter-filled meals, and in the effortless mix of movement, fresh food, and social connection that defines their days. I’ve learned so much from their simple, timeless wisdom, and I’m excited to share my big takeaways.
In this guide, we’ll explore all five Blue Zones, including where they are, what makes them special, and how you can experience them for yourself. Whether you’re chasing travel inspiration or curious about their secrets to a longer, happier life, these destinations will leave you changed.
- Follow my adventures to some of these blue zone places on Instagram: @Global.Viewpoint
Blue Zones at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the top blue zones where people live the longest in 2025.
| Location | Best For | Top Experience | Best Time to Visit | Longevity Secret |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okinawa, Japan | Culture lovers, wellness travelers, beach escapes | Learn Okinawan soba cooking and join a moai gathering | Mar–May or Oct–Nov | Strong social ties (moai) and plant-based diet |
| Ikaria, Greece | Slow travel, coastal hikes, island culture | Swim in Therma hot springs and attend a late-night panigiri festival | May–Jun or Sep–Oct | Mediterranean diet, daily naps, and fasting |
| Sardinia, Italy | Wine lovers, mountain scenery, village life | Hike Supramonte and enjoy Cannonau wine with locals | May–Jun or Sep–Oct | Strong family bonds, active rural lifestyle, moderate wine |
| Nicoya, Costa Rica | Beach escapes, eco-adventures, cultural immersion | Surf Playa Guiones and share a home-cooked casado | Dec–Apr | Plan de vida, outdoor activity, mineral-rich water |
| Loma Linda, California, USA | Wellness retreats, faith-based experiences | Visit farmers markets, join vegetarian cooking classes | Mar–May or Sep–Nov | Plant-based diet, strong faith community, service mindset |
What are Blue Zones?
Blue Zones are rare regions around the world where people live significantly longer — and healthier — than the global average. The term was coined in 2004 by National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner, who teamed up with scientists and demographers to identify the places with the highest concentrations of centenarians (people 100+ years old). These areas were marked with blue circles on a map, which is where the name comes from.
Today, there are five officially recognized Blue Zones:
- Okinawa, Japan – Home to the world’s oldest women, known for their ikigai (sense of purpose) and strong social ties.
- Ikaria, Greece – A Mediterranean island nicknamed “the place where people forget to die,” famous for its diet and daily naps.
- Sardinia, Italy – Particularly the mountainous Barbagia region, home to the world’s oldest men and a rich tradition of family life.
- Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica – A sunny, beachside region where residents have a strong plan de vida (“reason to live”) and eat a largely plant-based diet.
- Loma Linda, California, USA – A Seventh-day Adventist community with a focus on vegetarian eating, faith, and volunteerism.
What makes these places stand out isn’t just genetics — in fact, studies like the Danish Twin Study show that only about 20% of longevity comes from DNA. The rest is shaped by environment, lifestyle, diet, and community. From eating more beans and vegetables to walking everywhere, the habits in these regions have been distilled into the Power 9® – nine lifestyle principles that promote longer, healthier lives.
For travelers, visiting a Blue Zone is a chance to not only see a beautiful part of the world. But it’s also to experience its unique pace of life, fresh local foods, and deeply rooted cultural traditions. In the next section, we’ll explore each Blue Zone in detail…and how to plan your visit.
Where are the Blue Zones?
Now, let’s cover each of the Blue Zones that we know today. From east to west, here are the 5 blue zones that are a blueprint for the rest of the world:
Okinawa, Japan
- Best for: Culture lovers, wellness travelers, beach escapes
- Top Experience: Join a local cooking class to learn Okinawan soba and goya champuru recipes
- Best Time to Visit: March–May or October–November for warm weather without typhoon season
- Longevity Secret: Strong social ties (moai) and plant-based diet rich in vegetables, tofu, and sweet potatoes
Off Japan’s southern coast, Okinawa is a string of subtropical islands with white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a laid-back rhythm of life. It’s also home to the world’s oldest women, many of whom practice tai chi and Confucian meditation well into their 90s and 100s.
Beyond its scenery, Okinawa’s secret lies in its community culture. Residents form lifelong social groups called moai, which provide emotional and financial support from childhood through old age. Their diet is centered on plants — especially purple sweet potatoes, tofu, and bitter melon — and they rarely overeat, following the hara hachi bu rule of stopping at 80% full. As such, the people in Okinawa are known to have less cancer, heart disease, dementia, and other inflammatory diseases than anywhere else on Earth.
How to Visit: Fly into Naha Airport (OKA) and explore the main island by car or bus, then hop ferries to outer islands like Zamami or Ishigaki for pristine beaches and diving.
Ikaria, Greece
- Best for: Slow travel, coastal hikes, island culture
- Top Experience: Swim in the hot springs of Therma, then enjoy a late-night village feast at a panigiri festival
- Best Time to Visit: May–June or September–October for warm seas and fewer crowds
- Longevity Secret: Mediterranean diet, daily naps, and regular fasting
Set in the Aegean Sea just off Turkey’s coast, Ikaria is often called “the island where people forget to die.” Life here moves at a slower pace…locals linger over coffee, tend gardens, and take midday naps as naturally as breathing.
Ikarians follow a classic Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, vegetables, beans, and wild greens. Many practice intermittent fasting tied to religious traditions, a habit shown to improve heart health and reduce inflammation. This Greek island also boasts one of the lowest dementia rates in the world, a testament to its active, connected lifestyle.
How to Visit: Take a ferry from Athens (Piraeus port) or nearby islands like Samos. Rent a car or scooter to explore cliffside villages, coastal trails, and secluded beaches.
Sardinia, Italy
- Best for: Wine lovers, mountain scenery, traditional village life
- Top Experience: Hike the rugged Supramonte mountains, then share Cannonau wine and pecorino cheese with locals
- Best Time to Visit: May–June or September–October for sunny, mild weather
- Longevity Secret: Strong family bonds, active rural lifestyles, and moderate wine consumption
Floating in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sardinia is home to the first identified Blue Zone…specifically the mountainous Barbagia and Ogliastra regions. These inland villages are famous for having the world’s oldest men, many of whom still tend sheep, vineyards, and gardens well past the age of 90.
Here, food comes straight from the land and sea. Families hunt, fish, and grow much of what they eat, with sheep and goat’s milk cheeses playing a bigger role than in other Blue Zones. Meals are shared with family and friends, often accompanied by a glass (or two) of antioxidant-rich Cannonau wine. Humor and storytelling are woven into daily life, adding joy and connection that support long-term wellbeing.
How to Visit: Fly into Cagliari, Olbia, or Alghero, then drive inland to explore mountain villages. Combine your trip with a few days on the coast for turquoise beaches and hidden coves.
- Read my guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Sardinia
- You may also like: The Best Wine Regions to Visit Around the World
Nicoya, Costa Rica
- Best for: Beach escapes, eco-adventures, and cultural immersion
- Top Experience: Spend a morning surfing at Playa Guiones, then share a home-cooked casado with a local family
- Best Time to Visit: December–April for sunny, dry weather
- Longevity Secret: Strong sense of purpose (plan de vida), active outdoor living, and mineral-rich water
On Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste Peninsula, Nicoya blends golden beaches, lush forests, and a warm, welcoming culture. It’s also one of the world’s most concentrated pockets of longevity. Here, people reaching 90 or even 100 is surprisingly common.
Locals credit their vitality to a lifestyle anchored in faith, family, and a plan de vida – a clear sense of purpose that keeps them active late into life. Meals are simple but nourishing: beans, corn tortillas, tropical fruits, and vegetables from backyard gardens. Even the water here, naturally high in calcium and magnesium, is believed to protect bone health and lower heart disease risk.
How to Visit: Fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR) and rent a car to explore coastal towns like Nosara, Sámara, and Santa Cruz. Stay at eco-lodges or family-run guesthouses to experience Nicoya’s hospitality firsthand.
Loma Linda, California
- Best for: Wellness retreats, faith-based community experiences, and healthy living inspiration
- Top Experience: Visit a local farmers market, join a vegetarian cooking workshop, and explore nearby hiking trails in the San Bernardino Mountains
- Best Time to Visit: March–May or September–November for pleasant weather
- Longevity Secret: Plant-based diet, strong faith community, and a focus on service
An hour east of Los Angeles, Loma Linda is the only official Blue Zone in the United States. This Seventh-day Adventist community stands out for its emphasis on healthy, faith-centered living. Residents typically follow a vegetarian diet rich in vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, avoid alcohol and smoking, and prioritize regular volunteering.
Their strong social networks and spiritual practices create a deep sense of belonging, which research links to longer lifespans. Combined with daily movement — from gardening to walking local trails — it’s a lifestyle that adds years to life and life to years.
How to Visit: Fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Ontario International Airport (ONT). Stay in nearby Redlands or Riverside for easy access to Loma Linda, and plan day trips to Joshua Tree National Park or the Pacific coast.
- Read next: Coolest Airbnbs in Southern California
Most Relevant Power 9 Habits by Blue Zone
While each Blue Zone looks and feels different, from Okinawa’s tropical beaches to Sardinia’s mountain villages, they all share certain lifestyle habits that fuel their residents’ remarkable longevity. Known as the Power 9, these habits are expressed differently in each region, shaped by local culture, traditions, and environment. Here’s how the most relevant ones show up in each of the five official Blue Zones, and what you might notice if you visit.
Okinawa, Japan
- Right Tribe (Moai) – Lifelong social groups provide emotional and financial support.
- 80% Rule (Hara Hachi Bu) – Stop eating when 80% full to prevent overeating.
- Plant Slant – Diet centered on vegetables, tofu, sweet potatoes, and legumes.
Ikaria, Greece
- Downshift – Daily naps and an unhurried lifestyle reduce stress.
- Plant Slant – Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, beans, olive oil, and herbs.
- Belong – Strong faith traditions and active participation in the local community.
Sardinia, Italy
- Loved Ones First – Deep family ties and multi-generational households.
- Wine @ 5 – Daily social wine drinking (Cannonau) with friends and family.
- Move Naturally – Shepherding, farming, and walking hilly terrain into old age.
Nicoya, Costa Rica
- Purpose (Plan de Vida) – A strong reason to live keeps people engaged and active.
- Move Naturally – Daily farming, walking, and outdoor work.
- Plant Slant – Simple, mostly plant-based diet of beans, corn, squash, and tropical fruit.
Loma Linda, California, USA
- Plant Slant – Vegetarian diet rich in vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.
- Belong – Faith-based Seventh-day Adventist community with shared values.
Seeing these habits in action is part of what makes visiting a Blue Zone so inspiring!
How to Plan a Blue Zones Trip
Visiting a Blue Zone is way different than just a typical vacation…it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a culture where health and longevity are a way of life. Here’s how to plan your trip so you can experience that lifestyle up close.
Suggested Trip Lengths
- Okinawa, Japan – 7–10 days to explore the main island plus a few outer islands.
- Ikaria, Greece – 5–7 days to see the beaches, villages, and hiking trails.
- Sardinia, Italy – 7–10 days split between mountain villages and the coast.
- Nicoya, Costa Rica – 5–7 days for beaches, local markets, and eco-adventures.
- Loma Linda, California – 2–3 days as part of a Southern California trip.
Typical Budgets & Seasonality
- Okinawa – Mid-range to high, best in spring and fall to avoid typhoon season.
- Ikaria – Mid-range, with May–June and September–October offering warm seas and fewer tourists.
- Sardinia – Mid to high, with shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October) offering the best weather and prices.
- Nicoya – Budget to mid-range, with December–April as the dry season and most reliable for beach days.
- Loma Linda – Budget-friendly day trip, ideal in spring or fall for comfortable temperatures.
Solo vs. Group Travel
- Solo – Great for reflective travel; consider homestays, Airbnbs, or local guesthouses to connect with residents.
- Group – Perfect for cooking classes, guided hikes, or wellness retreats that give insider access to Blue Zone communities.
Resources & Next Steps
- My destination guides: Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, California, Japan
- The Official Blue Zones® Website for background research
Travel Tips I’ve Learned from the Blue Zones
You don’t have to hop on a plane to Okinawa or Sardinia to bring a little Blue Zone magic into your travels. Over the years, I’ve found ways to weave these longevity habits into trips all over the world…whether I’m in a mountain village in Europe or a big city in South America. Here are some easy ones you can try on your next adventure:
Stay Where the Action Is
I always look for accommodations near fresh markets or in walkable neighborhoods. Not only does it save me from relying on taxis, but it also nudges me to walk more and shop for local produce – a habit you’ll see in every Blue Zone.
Share a Meal With Strangers
Some of my favorite travel memories are from communal dinners and cooking classes. In Ikaria, it was a panigiri festival; in Costa Rica, a neighbor invited me in for casado. Wherever you go, seek out opportunities to eat with locals – it’s the fastest way to connect and learn.
Tap Into Local Faith or Community Life
Even if you’re not religious, visiting a place of worship or a community event is eye-opening. In Loma Linda, I joined a volunteer gardening day; in Sardinia, I attended a Sunday feast. These moments bring the “Belong” habit to life.
Make Space to Downshift
It’s tempting to pack every day with activities, but I’ve learned to leave gaps for a midday nap, a slow coffee, or a beach stroll. That little bit of “downshift” time not only recharges you — it helps you notice more of the place you’re in.
Looking for some travel-related mantras?
Do These Blue Zones Lessons Really Work? The Albert Lea Experiment
Skeptical that Blue Zone habits make a difference? In 2009, Dan Buettner put them to the test in Albert Lea, Minnesota…a small town facing high smoking rates, poor health, and an economic slump. Partnering with local leaders, the Blue Zones Project aimed to transform the community into a stateside version of the world’s longevity hotspots.
Over 18 months, they added walking paths, bike lanes, and renovated parks to encourage daily movement. Restaurants, grocery stores, and schools offered more plant-based options, swapped fries for fruit, and promoted healthier eating. The results were staggering: life expectancy jumped 3.2 years, residents lost over 7,000 pounds combined, smoking dropped below 15%, and healthcare costs fell by 40%. Even the local economy rebounded, with new businesses moving downtown and property values rising 25%.
The project’s success spread — now active in 27 US cities from California to Hawaii — proving that Blue Zone principles can thrive far beyond their original five locations.
By implementing some of these habits and lifestyle changes into your daily routine, you will see dramatic effects on your mental, physical, and emotional health. If you’re looking for even more information on Blue Zones diets and health benefits, check out the official blue zones website!
Happy travels – on both the inner journey and outer journey! -Jon
