People Flocking To Live in One Of The Healthiest Places On The Planet

I saw four people running on my quiet street this morning, three of whom I didn't know. This is new because most mornings here, I hardly see anyone! It got me thinking that there is a new big trend of people moving or visiting here to live in one of the best places in the world to live a healthy lifestyle. What started as a trickle of wellness-seekers has become a flood of individuals pursuing holistic living in Costa Rica's pristine natural environment.

Personal healthcare and wellbeing is a rapidly growing global trend that's reshaping how people think about lifestyle relocation. In many developed countries, people are living longer, creating greater demand for preventative care, chronic disease management, and healthy aging solutions. This shift has sparked a wellness revolution that's drawing health-conscious individuals to healing destinations like Costa Rica.

Real estate sales are finally booming here again, picking up now in the quietest time for tourism in the whole year due to it being rainy season. Perhaps it's the uncertainty in global affairs or the threats of future health crises, but people want out of where they are and into Costa Rica's wellness communities, of which Ojochal, Uvita, and Dominical feature at the top of the list. These new converts are not just buying property—they're investing in their health through wellness real estate that promises a fundamentally different way of life.

The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

People are more informed than ever about nutrition, mental health, fitness, and lifestyle diseases thanks to digital media and easy access to information. This knowledge explosion has created a generation of conscious living advocates who understand that wellness as wealth isn't just a catchphrase—it's a lifestyle philosophy that drives major life decisions.

COVID-19 was a wake-up call that spurred massive global investment in personal hygiene, immune support, remote care, and mental health support. Many people reevaluated their lifestyles during the pandemic, leading to permanent shifts in how they prioritize wellbeing. The crisis highlighted the importance of clean air living, natural environments, and sustainable communities in maintaining optimal health.

"Since moving to Costa Rica 7 years ago, my health has transformed in every way; physically, mentally, and spiritually," shares Tonya Kershner, a realtor with Osa Tropical Properties. "I'm 20 pounds lighter without dieting, and I'm actually eating more than ever, thanks to an abundance of fresh, organic food from local farmers, fishermen, and backyard gardens. Breathing clean air, swimming in the ocean, running barefoot through the jungle, and practicing yoga under the trees has brought a deep sense of peace and vitality."

This transformation reflects a broader trend among younger generations, especially Gen Z and Millennials, who are more likely to spend on experiences, health, and sustainability over material goods. They're choosing wellness travel and eco retreats over traditional luxury purchases, prioritizing work-life balance and emotional wellbeing above conventional success metrics.

Living in a Blue Zone Paradise

Costa Rica is home to one of the world's five Blue Zones—regions known for exceptional longevity lifestyle and overall wellbeing. The Nicoya Peninsula has gained international recognition for its residents' remarkable health spans and life satisfaction. This designation isn't merely academic; it represents a living laboratory for lifestyle medicine and preventive health practices that visitors can experience firsthand.

People move to this region from all over the world and even from other parts of Costa Rica for a simpler way of life that's more connected to community and less connected to isolating influences like substance abuse and violence. The area naturally promotes mindful living and slow living principles that many find impossible to maintain in urban environments.

"I felt drawn to Ojochal and still do because it has the rural, small-town, wholesome vibe like small towns in Ontario where I grew up," explains Rebecca Rowntree, another Osa Tropical Properties realtor. "It warms my heart to see so many young families having chosen to relocate here in recent years, to raise their kids in a nature-oriented and tight-knit community in paradise."

Natural Barriers to Unhealthy Choices

One of the most compelling aspects of this wellness-centered community is its natural resistance to unhealthy lifestyle choices. There are no fast food chains within a 1.5-hour drive, eliminating convenient temptations of processed food options. Instead, the area offers plenty of delicious homemade alternatives that support both personal health and the local economy through farm-to-table lifestyle practices.

"I'm a foodie! Meals here, whether enjoyed at restaurants or made in my own kitchen, taste incredibly different in a GREAT way versus in Canada, US, or even Europe," Rowntree continues. "We have some of the freshest and healthiest ingredients available in the world. Prime example: chicken here tastes like it did when I was a kid growing up in Canada, back before they started making chickens full-grown in a few weeks. The texture and taste is, well, no other way to say it except, LEGIT."

This commitment to organic living and natural diet extends beyond individual choices to encompass the entire community's approach to sustainable living. Local farmers markets provide weekly opportunities for residents to connect with their food sources while supporting eco-friendly communities that prioritize gut health and anti-inflammatory lifestyle choices.

The Energy of Mountain-Ocean Convergence

This place has attracted wellness seekers for decades because they understand the powerful energy created by the meeting of mountains with the ocean. This unique geographical position creates a huge concentration of different natural ecosystems teeming with wildlife, supporting various approaches to nature-based lifestyle and rainforest living.

The challenging terrain—with windy roads and steep inclines—creates a natural exclusivity that makes it incredibly desirable for people wanting to relocate or escape urban chaos. This difficulty of access contributes to the area's appeal as a digital detox destination and meditation retreat location.

"Since being here my schedule changed. I am up to watch the sun come up," notes Richard Owens of Osa Tropical Properties. "After starting to get up early, it got me in the habit of exercising before the sun comes up over the mountain. If I am not exercising first thing in the morning, I don't feel like I started my day properly."

A Hub for Integrative Health

Preventative care flourishes here, with practitioners of different modalities finding their way to the area because they discover both their ideal clients and a community that respects all healthcare practices. The local population (foreigners and Costa Ricans) includes many fit individuals who take advantage of their natural environment through activities like hiking up rivers, biking mountain roads, and surfing the Pacific.

"Getting up early every day and seeing the sunrise and hearing the jungle waking up is truly a unique and calming experience," shares Brianne Ribson Sturk, OTP Admin. "I always see something exciting and different on my morning walks, from monkeys in the trees to red macaws flying around. It's a calm time to reflect and be in the present and appreciate life. I found that hard to do in my chaotic city mornings in Canada getting ready for work."

This integrative health approach extends to community activities that promote mental wellness and stress-free lifestyle choices. Marcia Oro, a local realtor, describes her involvement in multiple wellness groups: "I belong to the Sole Sisters, a women's walking group mostly ranging from 50-80-year-old women who want to stay fit and connected by their souls. We belong to the Zumba dance group with two classes a week, including Thirsty Thursday where we gather after class for morning drinks like fresh juices, smoothies, or organic coffee grown and brewed locally."

Wealth Meets Wellness

High net worth people are increasingly moving or spending more time here because they recognize that health is one thing money cannot buy directly—you must live a lifestyle that supports healthy practices. The Costa Ballena area offers daily opportunities for yoga lifestyle, meditation, community connection, and access to holistic care options that exceed what's available in most places worldwide.

This wellness relocation trend represents more than just escape the city life mentality. It's about creating a balanced life that integrates ‘work from anywhere’ lifestyle possibilities with profound health benefits. Remote work and wellness have become complementary forces, allowing professionals to maintain their careers while dramatically improving their quality of life.

"My husband and I moved here for adventure and to get out of the crazy rat race of the US," explains Felicia Clarke, another team realtor. "My daily exercise is walking my dogs up and down massive mountains where I see the rainforest, wildlife, and ocean views. I don't bring my phone and take this time to have peace away from everything else in the world that wasn't as easy to achieve before moving here."

Cultural Authenticity and Sustainable Communities

The authenticity of local culture adds another dimension to the wellness experience. Jacob Mena, who was born and raised in Costa Rica, offers this perspective: "One of my favorite things about living in Costa Rica is being able to grow my own food right in my garden. The fruit trees, the fresh air—everything I grow here is organic and chemical-free, which is such a gift. Plus, on any given day, I can head to a river, waterfall, or beach. That kind of lifestyle is hard to beat."

This connection to the land supports various approaches to green living and climate-friendly relocation that appeal to environmentally conscious investors. The combination of off-grid living possibilities with modern amenities creates unique opportunities for those seeking burnout recovery and inner peace.

Kevin Champagne, broker at Osa Tropical Properties, reflects on his formative years: "I grew up here from 11 to 16, and when I went back to Canada and met my friends from school, I was shocked and also very glad that I had grown up here in nature every day and away from drugs. I am glad to be raising my family in this natural paradise that is removed from those kinds of bad influences."

The Investment in Wellness

For real estate investors focused on health-focused relocation opportunities, Costa Rica represents more than just property acquisition—it's an investment in lifestyle medicine and longevity lifestyle. The combination of affordable healthcare abroad, medical tourism opportunities, and daily access to healing environments creates compelling value propositions for those prioritizing wellness.

The mountain lifestyle and ocean living opportunities provide year-round access to natural therapeutic environments that support detox lifestyle goals and immune support. Whether pursuing plant-based lifestyle choices, spiritual relocation, or simply seeking better work-life balance, this region offers infrastructure and community support for virtually any wellness-oriented goal.

As global awareness of Blue Zones continues growing, and as remote work becomes permanently integrated into professional culture, Costa Rica's wellness communities represent not just lifestyle upgrades but sound investment strategies for those who understand that true wealth includes optimal health, community connection, and environmental sustainability.

The morning runners on quiet streets aren't just exercising—they're participating in a global movement toward conscious living that recognizes wellness as the ultimate luxury and Costa Rica as one of the world's premier destinations for achieving it.