A Story of Longevity from Costa Rica
An extraordinary vitality
At his venerable age, Don José still walks, eats without assistance, and carries on normal conversations with those around him. His family says he has an unwavering passion for playing dominoes, a game in which he frequently beats his opponents. He takes just one pill a day and, according to those close to him, has no notable health issues for his age.
The man has weathered difficult times over the years: he was evacuated by helicopter in 2023 during the severe floods in Guanacaste, when his safety was at risk, but he boarded calmly, even though he had no experience flying. At 118 years old, he was also the oldest voter in Costa Rica’s February 2026 presidential election, casting his ballot for the 25th time in his life at the polling station in Sardinal.
A potential world record, still under review
His family and researchers from the Asociación Península de Nicoya Zona Azul are currently gathering the historical documents and civil registry records needed to officially submit the case to international organizations specializing in extreme longevity.
It is important to note that, for the time being, Don José’s age has not been independently verified by Guinness World Records or other organizations specializing in supercentenarians. The current world record for the oldest living person belongs to 116-year-old Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom—three years younger than the age claimed by Don José.
Validating such a case requires documents that definitively link the various stages of a person’s life to the same identity. In this regard, researchers in the field of gerontology have pointed out a discrepancy: while her birth and baptism records indicate the year 1907, her mother’s death certificate, dated January 1925, lists her age as “6 years old”—which would place her birth more likely in 1918–1919. The family is continuing its research efforts precisely to clarify and officially confirm the correct date.
A Marimba Celebration
His birthday was celebrated with great fanfare in the community, alongside relatives, neighbors, and traditional marimba music, as Don José is considered a symbol of local and national pride.
Don José’s large family was there with him for the event: eight children, 22 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, many of whom had traveled from other parts of the country specifically to mark the occasion. Neighbors from Los Playones de Sardinal joined the celebration, and the atmosphere was typical of rural Guanacaste—with lavish spreads, stories from Don José’s youth, and dancing to traditional rhythms. For the community, the anniversary is not just a moment of family joy, but also an opportunity to celebrate the identity and traditions of the Blue Zone in Nicoya.
It’s a remarkable story that—regardless of the final outcome of the international assessments—reflects the simple way of life, healthy diet, and strong family ties that characterize the Blue Zone of the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the few regions in the world where exceptional longevity seems to be the rule, not the exception.
What Makes the Nicoya Peninsula a Blue Zone
The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the few regions on the planet classified as a “Blue Zone,” alongside Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California). Researchers studying these communities have identified common factors that appear to contribute to a long and healthy life: a diet based on simple, locally grown foods such as corn, beans, and squash; moderate but consistent physical activity maintained well into old age; and a strong sense of purpose, known locally as “plan de vida.”
Added to these are close-knit social networks, support from the extended family, and the active involvement of older adults in community life—factors that Don José’s case seems to confirm. His granddaughter, Hellen Flores Arias, with whom he lives, is part of the care network that allows him to remain independent at an age when most people need constant assistance.
His case caught the attention of researcher Jorge Vindas, who has been studying the factors contributing to the longevity of centenarians in the Nicoya Blue Zone for over two decades. According to Vindas, Don José enjoys remarkable health for his age, with a healthy weight and good muscle mass. Whether or not the world record is officially confirmed, his story remains a living example of how the lifestyle in a Blue Zone can influence longevity.
Source: Tico Times, Repretel, Teletica, CRC891, Gerontology Wiki (iulie 2026).
Behind OpenZone are two people: a Costa Rican native with deep roots in the local history, and an expat who has been settled here for over two decades. Together, we combine native knowledge of the system with firsthand experience of the very process you’re going through right now.
