Hotel Tropico Latino Santa Teresa Costa Rica

Malpaís Surf Cam films the surf conditions every morning. See today's surf:

Best Tide:
Mid

Best Swell Direction:
West, South-West Best Size:
Head high to a couple feet overhead. Will close out when big. Best Wind:
East Bottom:
Sand, some scattered rocks Ability Level:
Beginner to advanced Bring Your:
Mixed bag: shortboard, alternative, longboard, etc. Best Season:
All year, though biggest in summer Crowd Factor:
You can find your own uncrowded peak. Local Vibe:
Relatively mellow. Respect the local surfers, however. Bicep Burn:
5. Can be long paddles back out when it's pumping (1=1ft Waikiki; 10=15ft Ocean Beach)

The Hotel is located on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, a roughly 80-mile-long finger of land where according to National Geographic, researchers identified a group of villages with a significantly higher rate of longevity than the rest of the country. Here are the reasons why:

The Nicoya Peninsula is located on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, and its climate allows Nicoyans to get plenty of sunshine. Regular sun exposure helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a host of problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, and regular, “smart” sun exposure (about 15 minutes on the legs and arms) can help supplement nutrients received through diet.

Centenarians here seem to have enjoyed physical work all their lives. They find joy in everyday physical chores, and this likely plays a key role in the region’s longevity. In addition to physical work, Nicoyans eat fewer calories, which appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to life.

A senior Nicoyan woman after waking up at 4 a.m., she bakes tortillas for a couple of hours and walks five miles to the village to sell them. In addition to keeping hard at work, successful centenarians have a strong sense of purpose—a plan de vida for the Nicoyans. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good.

Strong social networks seem to play an important role in longevity. Nicoyan centenarians get frequent visits from neighbors. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have. Modern Nicoyans also embrace a common history. Their roots to the indigenous Chorotega include a traditional diet of fortified maize and beans, which may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known.

Source: National Geographic.