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Why Your Next Trip Should Be to a Blue Zone

This year, travel to one of the healthiest places on earth. We asked Blue Zones expert Dan Buettner for tips on visiting these five destinations, and ways to incorporate longevity habits into your own life.

A couple on a bluff in Sardinia look down over the cliffs and blue sea.

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For the past two decades, Dan Buettner has traveled the world gathering the wisdom of the world’s longest-living centenarians. The result is seven books for National Geographic on longevity and happiness, the most recent, The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer , published in 2023; the Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones , which claimed the number three spot shortly after its debut in August; and the Blue Zones diet , whose guidelines have inspired millions of people to eat more beans.

‘Live to 100’ Netflix special with Dan Buettner promotional image

Before he became an oracle, Buettner, who is 63, rode his bike from Alaska to Argentina, around the planet, and across Africa, setting three Guinness World Records. Then he became my boss. In September 2000, Buettner convinced eight of us, including archaeologists, biologists, photographers, videographers, and writers, to cross the Australian outback on bicycles while on a mission to solve the mystery behind the Aboriginal songlines , which Australia’s Indigenous people believe are routes, or land markers, to their ancestors. We interviewed knowledgeable experts and tasted staple foods like witchetty grubs, and beamed our discoveries via satellite to schoolkids following our adventure in real time.

During that six-week quest, however, our lifestyle was the antithesis of one that would ensure a long life. We ate gas station junk food, stayed up until dawn squinting at computer screens, and downed shots of tequila to soothe frayed nerves and celebrate milestones. Months later our team drove through Mexico and Guatemala for another six weeks, this time trying to solve the mystery behind the collapse of the Maya civilization. Had Buettner not shifted his focus to finding the world’s longest-living people, our hard-charging life might have killed us all. But it sure was fun.

In 2009, I wrote a story for Outside as his Blue Zones project started gathering steam worldwide. Buettner is on an ever-evolving quest, but today his lifestyle habits are comparatively monk-like, aligning more closely with his Blue Zones findings . “When you marinate in this stuff, you start to taste like it,” he joked when I spoke with him recently, adding that he abides by 90 percent of what he’s learned (although the Blue Zones diet frowns upon over-imbibing, he did confess to ringing in the New Year with one shot of very fine tequila).

As the result of the Blue Zones and books like Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity , by Peter Attia with Bill Gifford, and Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To , by David Sinclair, more and more travelers are seeking the fountain of youth. Wellness tourism reached $651 billion in 2022, according to the Global Wellness Institute , and international wellness tourists spent $1,746 per trip that same year—41 percent more than a typical international tourist.

For those who want to travel to the original Blue Zones instead of couching it through the Netflix series, we tapped Buettner’s experience on how to soak up the centuries of health and wellness wisdom found in these five places. Then we added our own adventurous Outside twist for each destination.

Why Are the Blue Zones So Healthy?

Dan Buettner sits down to a family lunch in Ikaria, Greece

In the early 2000s, the National Institute on Aging awarded Buettner a grant to identify the world’s longest-living populations and learn their lessons. Independent from Buettner’s work, demographer Michel Poulain and medical statistician Gianni Pes identified Sardinia, Italy, as the region with the highest concentrations of male centenarians. In 2004, they published an article in the Journal of Experimental Gerontology identifying the region as a “blue zone.” (Pes used blue ink to denote villages of exceptional longevity, hence the name.) Buettner eventually partnered with Poulain and Pes, and extended the Blue Zones attribution to four additional longevity epicenters around the globe, eventually identifying nine common lifestyle habits found in every one. He calls these lessons the Power 9 (outlined below).

“People in the Blue Zones don’t do any of the stuff that is relentlessly marketed to Americans,” such as eating junk food and going to a gym or a spa, says Buettner. It’s not that people in Blue Zones have better genes, he adds, “it’s that their day-to-day unconscious decisions are appreciably better.” And that adds up over decades to more than eight years of additional life expectancy. “Blue Zones has become a movement to change our environment, so we mindlessly make better decisions about our health, and that’s what works,” says Buettner.

Blue Zones Map: Where in the World Are They?

Blue Zones map of the five healthiest locations in the world

As you can see from the Blue Zones on this map, all five fall in middle latitudes with temperate climates. Additionally, says Buettner, “Blue Zones are always hill people. They are not coastal. These cultures “grew beans and grains and garden greens and tubers, and brilliant women over the course of 100 generations got really good at making this food taste gorgeously delicious.”

The Five Blue Zones are:

The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: The residents of some of the mountainous villages of this Pacific coastal peninsula are twice as likely as Americans to reach a healthy age of 90. Okinawa, Japan: Located 400 miles south of the Kyushu (the country’s southwesternmost main island), this 463-sqare-mile destination is home to the oldest women in the world. Ikaria, Greece: Less than 100 square miles, residents of this tiny north Aegean island live eight years longer than Americans, have half the rate of heart disease of Americans, and almost no dementia. Loma Linda, California: This bedroom community of Los Angeles is a bedrock for many Seventh Day Adventists who view their health as an integral part of their faith. Sardinia, Italy: The island’s eastern Ogliastra and Nuoro provinces have the greatest concentration of male centenarians in the world.

The 9 Healthy-Living Principles of the Blue Zones

Blue Zones expert Dan Buettner with his arm around an elderly resident of a village in Costa Rica

“Only 25 percent of how long you live is dictated by genes. The other 75 percent is something else,” says Buettner. Given that information, Buettner reasoned that if he could isolate the places where people lived the longest without disease, and then find common denominators between each place, that “ought to be something to pay attention to.” The following are the commonalities he’s coined the Power 9.

Move Naturally: The world’s longest-living people don’t pump iron or go to a gym. They live in environments that constantly nudge them to move naturally, as in working in a garden or walking uphill to visit a neighbor.
Purpose: Whether it’s called ikigai in Okinawa or plan de vida in Nicoya, Blue Zones residents have a reason to wake up every morning.
Downshift: Each Blue Zone has a daily routine that diminishes stress; in Sardinia, one such option is happy hour, and in Ikaria that may mean an afternoon nap.
80 Percent Rule: Okinawans recite a 2,500-year-old Confucian mantra before mealtimes, “Hara hachi bu,” reminding them to stop eating when their stomach feels 80 percent full. Also, in the Blue Zones, people eat their smallest meal in the early evening and then stop eating until the next day.
Plant Slant: Beans are the foundation of most centenarian diets. Meat—mostly pork in the Blue Zones—is eaten only five times per month on average, and one portion is three to four ounces, about the size of a deck of cards.
Wine at Five: People in every Blue Zone except Loma Linda drink alcohol moderately and regularly, which means one to two glasses per day, consumed with friends and food. Sardinian Cannonnau (known elsewhere as grenache), a robust regional red varietal, has three to four times the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids of other wines.
Belong: All but five of the 263 centenarians Buettner and his team interviewed belonged to a faith-based community. Denomination doesn’t seem to matter.
Loved Ones First: Successful centenarians in Blue Zones put their families first. They keep their aging parents or grandparents nearby or at home, commit to a life partner, and invest in their children with time and love.
Right Tribe: Blue Zones centenarians were born into or choose social circles that support healthy behaviors. In Okinawa, they create moais , a group of five friends committed to each other for life.

Outside ’s Ultimate Travel Guide to the Blue Zones

Some Blue Zones are more amenable to mainstream travelers than others, says Buettner. In the two decades since he began to research these five destinations, some have changed dramatically. In Okinawa, for example, U.S. military bases have brought increasing numbers of fast-food restaurants to the island, and many of the original centenarians Buettner interviewed have died. But there are still idyllic pockets in each place where travelers can glean the wisdom and lifestyle of its residents.

Before you book plane tickets, heed Buettner’s advice: “If you’re the type of traveler who likes to meet the locals, are not in a hurry, are intellectually curious, and don’t mind staying in a rustic place to really absorb the culture, the Blue Zones are nice places to go. But if you’d rather party, get a massage, and order room service, go elsewhere.”

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

sandy shoreline of Guiones Beach with palm trees and lush vegetation

“The gateway destination for the Blue Zones is the Nicoya Peninsula,” says Buettner. “It’s an easy place to start, because you can book a nice hotel, do a yoga class, eat good food, and meet health-minded people.”

Although it’s an hour away from the nearest official Blue Zone, Buettner recommends staying in Nosara. The resort town is lined with five idyllic beaches and outdoor activities that spiral out in every direction. The real Blue Zones, where the centenarians live, however, are the small villages in the mountains above the ocean, like Hojancha and Nicoya, less than 40 miles northeast by road.

girl walking the shore of Nosara with her surfboard nearby

Where to Adventure: Nosara is the perfect oasis for beginner and intermediate surfers, thanks to consistent year-round waves with clean breaks. You can also enjoy mountain biking and hiking in the tropical forest, Pacific fishing charters, and yoga everywhere.

Where to Stay: Buettner recommends the brand-new Silvestre Nosara , which opened January 25 steps from four-mile-long Playa Guiones, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Each of its nine plush private residences has a fully equipped kitchen and other amenities like private barrel saunas. Above is a rooftop bar lining an infinity pool. Buettner will be speaking at the hotel on February 2, but if you miss him, there are plenty of other distractions. Silvestre also offers a studio with a range of wellness classes including yoga, boxing, breath work, tai chi, and movement options for kids and teens . Three-night minimum stay, from $960 per night

rectangular rooftop pool at Silvestre with soft lounge chairs and a palm tree

The Gilded Iguana has been a family-run community hub for the past 40 years. More recently it added a surf school, guided hiking and mountain-biking outings. Additionally, the hotel can arrange a custom tour of the nearby Blue Zones with local Spanish-speaking guides—because the centenarians don’t speak English. Airy rooms accommodate two to six people. From $276 per night in the low season (May, and September through October) and from $480 per night in the high season (November 1 to December 19, and January 6 to March 31)

gorgeous room at the Gilded Iguana with an outdoor patio

Where to Eat: Buettner recommends heading to one of the original Blue Zone villages to eat a casado breakfast, a word that translates to a “marriage,” in this case between fresh corn tortillas and beans. “Until the year 2000 or so, that was 80 percent of these villages’ caloric intake,” says Buettner. He also recommends stopping at a roadside fruit stand to stock up on mangoes, papayas, guavas, “and all these wonderful fruits that grow in their gardens like weeds.” In Nosara, Soda Rosie’s also serves casados . Expats hang out at the Destiny Café, known for its smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and organic roasted “cloud” coffee with fresh coconut milk.

Ikaria, Greece

Buettner hiking up a trail in Ikaria with green hillsides tumbling down to the sea

“Ikaria is my personal favorite, because I know and love the people,” Buettner told me, adding that rooms in the guest house where he always stays are still affordable, there’s great hiking on the island, and you’re still likely to meet a longevity all-star. “When I started coming here, it wasn’t known, but today you will sit down with people from Israel, Australia, Italy—all over the world.”

Where to Adventure: This island in the Aegean Sea has been off the beaten path since it was first inhabited in the sixth century B.C. There are rugged mountain paths for hiking—you’ll be sharing them with goat and sheep herders—a growing sport-climbing and bouldering scene, and incredible beaches that require not insignificant descents. On Messakti Beach, which beckons with a sandy-bottom break and gentle waves, Ikaria Surf School is a one-stop shop offering daily surf and SUP lessons, as well as rentals and yoga on the beach. For an insiders’ view of the interior, sign up for a trek with Ikarian Footprints , whose local guides who know the inland paths like the back of their hand.

beach-goers wade into an impossibly turquoise inlet on the island of Ikaria

Where to Stay: Buettner always boards at Thea’s Inn , in the northwestern village of Nas. The owners, Thea and Ilias Parikos, are dear friends of his. The inn “has a gorgeous deck overlooking the Aegean, and the family gets most of their food from an enormous garden right next door.” Plus, notes Buettner, “Thea herself will always sit down and talk to you.” Beyond the familial vibe and incredible food (some of her recipes can be found in the Blue Zone Solution cookbook), the property is directly above one of the island’s best beaches. Choose from one of five rustic rooms, each with personal bathrooms and French doors that open to a private balcony overlooking the sea, plus a small refrigerator for storing fresh herbs foraged on a hike. Time your visit for Thea’s cultural-immersion retreat, designed to teach guests how to incorporate the Blue Zones’ Power 9 habits into their daily lives. From $33

Where to Eat: It will be difficult to find better meals and views than the restaurant terrace of Thea’s Inn. She and her staff serve Ikarian specialties like soufiko and bean stew, a version of ratatouille, the vegetables of which “will likely have been in the garden five hours earlier,” says Buettner. Another beautiful spot Buettner recommends is Karimalis Winery , run by George and Eleni Karimalis, who work with grapes from a revived 500-year-old vineyard. “They have great cooking classes and make a very satisfactory wine,” says Buettner.

Sardinia, Italy

girl in a red kayak paddles the clear turquoise waters toward a sandy beach on Sardinia’s Ogliastra coast

Sardinia’s Ogliastra and Nuoro provinces are worth the travel time. “It’s a road trip to get there,” says Buettner, but the cluster of five villages—Arzana, Talana, Baunei, Urzulei, and Triei are the most picturesque. Seulo, farther south, is home to the highest concentration of centenarians.

Where to Adventure: Test yourself on the 33-mile Selvaggio Blu route, seen in the video below. It starts near the coastal town of Santa Maria Navaresse, involves sketchy scrambling and via ferratas, has jaw-dropping views of the cliffs and Tyrrhenian Sea, and is dubbed the toughest trek in Italy. Dolomite Mountains offers a less extreme option with its seven-day Wild Blue Zone Trek (not affiliated with Buettner’s Blue Zones), where you’ll explore the 25-mile-long Orosei coastline, hiking to unexplored beaches, on narrow rocky trails along white sea cliffs, and spending two nights on a private boat anchored in cerulean waters. The tough limestone in Nuoro also makes it one of the premier sport-climbing destinations in Italy, with slabs, steep walls, and wicked overhangs.

Where to Stay: Santa Maria Navaresse, while not in the official Blue Zone, is a “nice seaside town with decent restaurants,” says Buettner. Base yourself there and you’re less than 20 miles from the nearest Blue Zone of Arzana. The Nascar , a family-run, 12-room hotel, sits 150 feet from the beach and near an 11th-century church next to a thousand-year-old grove of olive trees. With free beach towels and umbrellas and sunbeds available, the beach of Santa Maria Navarrese is an extension of the hotel. From $178

Where to Eat: According to Buettner, to experience a true Blue Zones meal, you’ll need to be invited into the home of a local, because restaurants in these villages cater to special events like birthday parties and, as a result, “the menu looks like a roasted petting zoo, with goat and piglet”—more celebratory foods than staples. The Nascar hotel’s restaurant menu is more seafood heavy than a traditional Blue Zones diet, but the red prawns are freshly caught.

Okinawa, Japan

narrow pathway between tropical foliage leads to a white-sand beach with a turquoise bay and a view of Okinawa's Kerama Islands

“Okinawa as a Blue Zone is gone. The only vestiges of it are the oldest people. You have to be a committed traveler to find them and also need to hire a guide, because nobody speaks English,” says Buettner. Sadly, the island now has the highest rate of obesity in Japan, largely due to the fast food introduced with the creation of the U.S. military bases. It may be lost as a Blue Zone, but Okinawa still has pockets of beauty, with stunning waterfalls, white-sand beaches, and dreamy resorts on the outer islands.

Where to Adventure: The Yanbaru region, which includes Yanbaru National Park on the main island of Okinawa, was designated a Unesco World Natural Heritage site in 2021. Its name translates to “densely forested mountains,” and its lush forests and limestone peaks make for incredible sightseeing. Hike to 75-foot-high Hiji waterfall, the highest on the island, paddle the Gesashi Bay Mango Forest, and camp near off-the-beaten-path beaches. There’s also an incredible undersea world off some of Okinawa’s satellite islands, like Ishigaki, where you can snorkel among healthy coral reefs, dive with manta rays, and soak up some vitamin D.

A man stands in a pool at the base of the short but powerful Arawaka Falls, surrounded by lush green foliage and palm trees

Where to Stay: In Yanbaru, the whimsical accommodations at the Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort boast 360-degree views of the sub-tropical evergreens, and offer a symphony of bird sounds along with a sauna for increased relaxation. (From $826 per night for up to six people.) On Ishigaki, the Fusaki Beach Resort lines a half-mile long, sugar-sand beach. With 17 room and villa types surrounded by subtropical gardens, and activities on offer from resort diving courses to swimming off remote islands, there’s plenty of space to find privacy. From $147

Where to Eat: Buettner recommends Emi No Misi in the seaside village of Ogimi, which relies on the same seasonal vegetables that have been harvested from nearby fields for centuries. Because of its popularity and authenticity, reservations are required.

Loma Linda, California

“Loma Linda is a very hard Blue Zone to see, because it’s about residents’ Adventist lifestyle—no drinking, no smoking, a 24-hour Sabbath, and church on Saturday morning,” says Buettner of the 9,000 Seventh Day Adventists who live here. But it’s possible to live the Loma Linda lifestyle for at least a day, then retire to nearby Palm Springs, 50 miles southeast on I-10, for further adventure.

Where to Adventure: Do as the Loma Lindans do and spend a day at the University of Loma Linda’s Drayson Center , a one-stop shop for fitness classes, aquatics, nutrition classes, and, of course, a wicked game of pickleball.

Where to Stay: Korakia Pensione , in Palm Springs, offers a respite from the world. Set on 1.5 acres, two historic villas were combined to create a lush Mediterranean-and-Moroccan-themed oasis of bungalows, guesthouses, gardens and pools. Wake up with a yoga class, head to the Tahquitz Canyon for a short, rigorous, sweaty hike to a 60-foot waterfall, then return to lounge poolsidethe rest of the day. From $220

Where to Eat: Being in one of the world’s five Blue Zones, Loma Linda Market claims to have the largest vegan and vegetarian meat selections in Southern California. It also has treats like gluten-free, vegan, chocolate peanut butter cupcakes.

Stephanie Pearson walking her mountain bike across a shallow streamed on Utah’s Great Western Trail

Outside contributing editor and 2023 National Geographic Explorer Stephanie Pearson lives in northern Minnesota and gives herself a solid B average when it comes to maintaining the Power 9.

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Will travelling to a Blue Zone help you live longer?

By Jen Murphy

Cheerful grandfather and his granddaughter having a good time on patio

The quest to discover the fountain of youth has inspired travellers for centuries. It motivated Dan Buettner, an American National Geographic fellow, to crisscross the globe for two decades, gathering insights from the world’s longest-living centenarians. Buettner identified five regions that stood out for having communities with remarkable longevity and vitality and coined them Blue Zones. His research spawned seven books, the most recent – The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer – published in 2023, as well as the 2023 hit Netflix docuseries, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones .

The Blue Zones buzz, combined with best-selling books like Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, cult science and longevity podcasts like Huberman Lab from Stanford University neuroscience professor Andrew Huberman, have been a boon for wellness travel. According to the Global Wellness Institute , wellness tourism reached $651 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2025 .

Blue Zones-inspired trips and retreats have emerged as one of the biggest travel trends of 2024 . But will travelling to one of the original Blue Zones really help us live longer healthier lives? Buettner and other experts weigh in.

What is a Blue Zone?

Blue Zones are geographically defined areas where people statistically live longer without disease. This designation was originally given to five regions:

Ikaria, Greece

A tiny Aegean island where residents live eight to 10 years longer than Americans, have half the rate of heart disease and almost no dementia.

Loma Linda, California

This Southern California community of Seventh-day Adventists live as much as a decade longer than the rest of us.

Sardinia, Italy

The mountainous eastern Ogliastra and Nuoro provinces boast the greatest concentration of male centenarians in the world.

Okinawa, Japan

The oldest women in the world reside on this island.

Nicoya, Costa Rica

This 80-mile peninsula has the world’s lowest rates of middle-age mortality and the second-highest concentration of male centenarians.

Paddling packraft through sea cave hole Miyakojima Island Okinawa Japan

“Only about 20 per cent of how long a person lives is determined by genes,” says Buettner. “The other 80 per cent is determined by lifestyle and environment. Those factors add around eight years of additional life expectancy.” Buettner’s research revealed that all five regions fall in middle latitudes with temperate climates, are geographically remote and tend to be hilly. Residents of these longevity epicentres largely share nine lifestyle habits, which he calls the Power 9 . They are:

Move naturally: The world’s longest-living people don’t own Pelotons or pump iron. They forgo mechanical conveniences for yard and housework, tend gardens, and do a lot of walking, usually uphill.
Purpose: Having a reason to wake up every morning is worth up to seven years of extra life expectancy, says Buettner.
Downshift: Even Blue Zone residents experience stress, but they have daily stress-busting routines ranging from happy hour (Sardinia) to praying (Loma Linda).
80 per cent rule: Okinawans recite a 2,500-year-old Confucian mantra before mealtimes, reminding them to stop eating when their stomach feels 80 per cent full. Dinner is the smallest meal of the day for these communities and is eaten communally in the late afternoon or early evening.
Plant slant: Meat is a condiment and beans are a staple in meals.
Wine at 5: With the exception of Loma Linda, all communities drink alcohol moderately and regularly with food and friends.
Belong: All but five of the 263 centenarians Buettner and his team interviewed belonged to a faith-based community.
Loved ones first: Keeping ageing parents or grandparents at home or nearby, committing to a life partner, and devoting time to children were priorities in all five regions.
Right tribe: Social networks of long-lived people support healthy behaviours.

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Cagliary cityscape and architecture with Mediterranean Sea in Sardinia island Summer Italy

Can you travel to the Blue Zones?

You can visit the Blue Zones but Buettner cautions they haven’t all remained utopias of wellbeing. Since receiving their designations in the early aughts, many of these regions have been transformed by access to modern conveniences and the Western diet. In fact, Okinawa has since been delisted. Buettner blames the proliferation of fast food restaurants and freeways for Okinawa’s degeneration, which has led to high rates of obesity and diabetes.

Over-tourism is also a concern. On a recent trip to Costa Rica , I noticed an entire section of the airport was promoting the country’s Blue Zone and selling Blue Zone products. Costa Rica aside, Buettner notes that the comfort and convenience we often seek on vacation is typically lacking in these destinations, which will deter many travellers. “People living in these communities consider talking to their neighbours entertainment,” says Buettner. “They aren’t on cell phones and most don’t have TVs.”

The reason to travel to these communities is to immerse yourself in the slower, simpler pace of life and experience the factors that contribute to longevity, such as diet and social connection. You’ll likely learn some lessons that you can adopt back home.

Italy Sardinia Sassari province La Pelosa beach

Dr. Connie Tompkins, an associate professor of exercise science at the University of Vermont, took students to a longevity retreat in Ikaria last summer and plans to return with another group this July . The island has one mountainous, winding road, and it took over two hours to drive the 30 miles from the airport to the hotel, she says. There were some complaints about having to walk one mile uphill to dinner in the heat, but overall, the students had profound takeaways from witnessing the local lifestyle.

Dinner might last hours. No one was on their phone. The fish they ate was caught that day and produce was harvested from local gardens. There was a strong sense of community and connection. Upon returning to the U.S., Tompkins asked the students to reflect on the experience and they collectively said they felt a sense of peace. They never experienced the anxiousness or stress they felt back home in Ikaria.

Dr Walter Willett, a Blue Zones advisor and chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard University School of Public Health, believes retreats rooted in Blue Zones Power 9 principles can be just as valuable as visiting the actual regions. Pioneering wellness sanctuary Kamalaya in Thailand has developed a Blue Zones retreat rooted in plant-slanted meals inspired by these regions’ traditional diets, natural movement, and other Power 9 lifestyle habits. Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo is offering a six-day Blue Zones retreat in summer 2024 that explores the secrets of regional centenarians. And Modern Elder Academy will host retreats at its Baja California Sur, Mexico and Santa Fe, Mexico campuses this year.

Tips for visiting Blue Zones

If you do travel to a Blue Zone with hopes of gaining longevity wisdom, Buettner says you need to be willing to get off the beaten path. “The real Blue Zone effect can be found in the dusty mountain villages most tourists blow right through,” he says. “It might require talking to people in another language and going into local homes for meals.” Buettner believes the biggest takeaways are:

Put your devices away.
Take time to have a conversation with your neighbour.
Eat what you can grow in a garden.
Notice how relaxed you feel walking through a Blue Zones village compared to a busy city.
Eat more beans. Buettner considers them the single most powerful longevity food.

Marina sign over path to docks. Many boats to rent out to the vacationiers.

How to visit the Blue Zones

Here are some expert tips for visiting the Blue Zones, including dishes to seek out, suggested by Dr. Nyree Dardarian, director of the Center for Nutrition & Performance at Drexel University in Philadelphia, who recently visited Ikaria with her students.

“The Nicoya Peninsula is the gateway destination for the Blue Zones,” says Buettner. “You can stay at a nice hotel , eat healthy food, practice yoga.” Buettner recommends travellers base themselves in the coastal town of Nosara, which is one hour away from the closest official Blue Zone villages like Hojancha and Nicoya, located in the mountains.

Dish to try: Gallo pinto (rice and beans) for breakfast.

Where to stay: Buettner recently hosted a Blue Zones retreat at newly opened Silvestre , a nine-residence, health-minded property steps from four-mile-long Playa Guiones in Nosara. He also recommends Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel in Nosara, which has a fantastic surf programme, an on-site mountain bike centre, and opportunities for custom-guided tours of nearby Blue Zone communities.

The first Blue Zones region ever identified consists of a cluster of villages on Sardinia's eastern side, home to ten times more centenarians per capita than the US. The village of Seulo is home to the highest concentration of centenarians. Travellers will find great hiking, climbing, and family-run restaurants featuring the catch of the day and fresh produce.

Dish to try: Minestrone soup with cannelloni beans, red and white.

Where to stay: Buettner books the 12-room, family-run Nascar Hotel located 150 feet from the beach and less than 20 miles from the nearest Blue Zone. The closest resort area, Costa Smeralda, is about two hours north and home to amenity-laden resorts such as Petra Segreta on the coast and Cortis Antigas and Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru , both two hours inland in the countryside.

Scene at messakti beach Ikaria island Greece

This rocky outcropping in the Aegean has maintained a trapped-in-time feel despite being just over a two-hour ferry ride from the party island of Mykonos . Of all of the Blue Zones, this is Buettner’s personal favourite because of the welcoming people, gorgeous beache s and excellent hiking. One in three residents live to their 90s due in part to their Mediterranean diet and other habits like regular naps and domino games with neighbours.

Dish to try: Hummus, made from scratch with garbanzo beans.

Where to stay: Buettner is a regular at Thea’s Inn , a five-room family-run spot in the northwestern village of Nas, perched above one of the island’s prettiest beaches. The inn offers Blue Zones cultural immersion experiences throughout the year. He also recommends the accommodations at Karimalis Winery , another family-run location on a working vineyard that offers cooking classes.

Although delisted as an actual Blue Zone, Buettner still believes there are lessons to be learned from visiting Okinawa, particularly from the local diet and strong social networks. The prefecture consists of more than 150 islands, many of which are home to beautiful beaches, hiking trails and waterfalls.

Dish to try: Okinawans eat soybeans twice a day. Get your fix from edamame or tofu.

Where to stay: Buettner likes to hole up at the 17-room Fusaki Beach Resort on the island of Ishigaki. Hoshinoya Resort faces golden sand beaches on the main Okinawan island of Naha and offers a special Blue Zones package.

Buettner suggests taking a day trip to this Seventh-day Adventist community located one hour east of Los Angeles . He credits their strict, faith-based lifestyle of 24-hour Sabbath, no drinking, no smoking and a vegetarian diet for their longevity.

Dish to try: Pop into the Loma Linda Market and order the Popeye smoothie, a combo of spinach, kale, pineapple, apple and banana, from the juice bar.

Where to stay: Palm Springs is 50 miles southeast and is part of the Blue Zones Activate initiative, which aims to make residents healthier. Base yourself at Life House Palm Springs , a mid-century desert hideaway, or just outside town at a health-focused luxury retreat, Sensei Porcupine Creek .

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Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

TOPSHOT - Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine today with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion" was underway. (Photo by Aris Messinis / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Passport checks for air travellers lifted as Bulgaria and Romania join EU's Schengen

Bulgaria joins EU Schengen area by air and sea

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Romania and Bulgaria join Europe’s Schengen travel zone but keep land border checks

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Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union.

After years of negotiations to join the Schengen Area , there is now free access for travelers arriving by air or sea from both countries. However, land border checks will remain in place due to opposition primarily from Austria, which has long blocked their bid over illegal migration concerns.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the change as a “huge success for both countries” and a “historic moment” for what is the world’s largest free travel zone.

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The Schengen Area was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania’s admission, Schengen consisted of 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Around 3.5 million people cross an internal border each day.

Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria’s admission into the Schengen zone at the end of 2022 but allowed Croatia full accession. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007 and Croatia in 2013.

Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian member of the European Parliament, told the Associated Press that it is “an important first step” that will benefit millions of travelers annually.

“Bulgaria and Romania have been fulfilling all criteria for joining the Schengen Area for years — we are entitled to join with the terrestrial border as well,” he said, adding that it “will offer additional arguments to the last EU member state that has been vetoing the full accession.”

New Croatian euro coin depicting the map of the country is showcased at the Croatian central bank in Zagreb, Croatia, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. Croatia, known for its stunning Adriatic Sea coastline and resort islands, is on a roll: as of Jan. 1 the Balkan country is adopting the EU’s common currency, the euro, and joining the so-called Schengen zone — the 27-nation bloc’s borderless free-travel area — which has prompted officials to say that this will be remembered as one of the country’s biggest achievements since gaining independence in a war 30 years ago. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called it a “well-deserved achievement” for Romania that he said will benefit citizens who can travel more easily and will bolster the economy.

“We have a clear and firmly assumed government plan for full accession to the Schengen Area by the end of the year,” he said.

The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, has said for more than a decade that Romania and Bulgaria both meet the technical criteria for full accession, which requires unanimous support from their partners. Both countries have agreed to implement random security screening at airports and maritime borders to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime.

“Bulgaria’s full accession to Schengen will happen by the end of 2024,” Kalin Stoyanov, Bulgaria’s interior minister, told reporters on Sunday. “We showed and continue to show to illegal migrants that they should not take the road to Europe through Bulgaria.”

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The lifting of border control is expected to facilitate operations at Bulgaria’s four international airports, which in 2023 saw nearly 11 million passengers, according to official data.

The airport in the capital, Sofia, serves as the biggest hub for Schengen flights, which constitute 70% of all flights, airport representatives said.

While the eased regulations are expected to positively impact the tourism sector, members of the European Parliament have voiced concerns about long queues at the EU’s land borders and the impact it can have on trade in the bloc’s single market, as well as the health and safety of drivers.

Truck drivers are frequently stuck in kilometers-long queues at the borders of both Romania and Bulgaria. The Union of International Carriers in Bulgaria estimates delays cost the sector tens of millions of euros each year.

Stephen McGrath and Veselin Toshkov write for the Associated Press. McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.

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New York Takes Crucial Step Toward Making Congestion Pricing a Reality

The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted to approve a new $15 toll to drive into Manhattan. The plan still faces challenges from six lawsuits before it can begin in June.

Multiple cars are stopped at a traffic light at a Manhattan intersection. A person responsible for controlling traffic stands nearby wearing a yellow reflective vest.

By Winnie Hu and Ana Ley

New York City completed a crucial final step on Wednesday in a decades-long effort to become the first American city to roll out a comprehensive congestion pricing program, one that aims to push motorists out of their cars and onto mass transit by charging new tolls to drive into Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

The program could start as early as mid-June after the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state agency that will install and manage the program, voted 11-to-1 to approve the final tolling rates, which will charge most passenger cars $15 a day to enter at 60th Street and below in Manhattan. The program is expected to reduce traffic and raise $1 billion annually for public transit improvements.

It was a historic moment for New York’s leaders and transportation advocates after decades of failed attempts to advance congestion pricing even as other gridlocked cities around the world, including London, Stockholm and Singapore, proved that similar programs could reduce traffic and pollution.

While other American cities have introduced related concepts by establishing toll roads or closing streets to traffic, the plan in New York is unmatched in ambition and scale.

Congestion pricing is expected to reduce the number of vehicles that enter Lower Manhattan by about 17 percent, according to a November study by an advisory committee reporting to the M.T.A. The report also said that the total number of miles driven in 28 counties across the region would be reduced.

“This was the right thing to do,” Janno Lieber, the authority’s chairman and chief executive, said after the vote. “New York has more traffic than any place in the United States, and now we’re doing something about it.”

Congestion pricing has long been a hard sell in New York, where many people commute by car from the boroughs outside of Manhattan and the suburbs, in part because some of them do not have access to public transit.

New York State legislators finally approved congestion pricing in 2019 after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo helped push it through. A series of recent breakdowns in the city’s subway system had underscored the need for billions of dollars to update its aging infrastructure.

It has taken another five years to reach the starting line. Before the tolling program can begin, it must be reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration, which is expected to approve it.

Congestion pricing also faces legal challenges from six lawsuits that have been brought by elected officials and residents from across the New York region. Opponents have increasingly mobilized against the program in recent months, citing the cost of the tolls and the potential environmental effects from shifting traffic and pollution to other areas as drivers avoid the tolls.

A court hearing is scheduled for April 3 and 4 on a lawsuit brought by the State of New Jersey, which is seen as the most serious legal challenge. The mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., Mark J. Sokolich, has filed a related lawsuit.

Four more lawsuits have been brought in New York: by Ed Day, the Rockland County executive; by Vito Fossella, the Staten Island borough president, and the United Federation of Teachers; and by two separate groups of city residents.

Amid the litigation, M.T.A. officials have suspended some capital construction projects that were to be paid for by the program, and they said at a committee meeting on Monday that crucial work to modernize subway signals on the A and C lines had been delayed.

Nearly all the toll readers have been installed, and will automatically charge drivers for entering the designated congestion zone at 60th Street or below. There is no toll for leaving the zone or driving around in it. Through traffic on Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive and the West Side Highway will not be tolled.

Under the final tolling structure, which was based on recommendations by the advisory panel, most passenger vehicles will be charged $15 a day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. The toll will be $24 for small trucks and charter buses, and will rise to $36 for large trucks and tour buses. It will be $7.50 for motorcycles.

Those tolls will be discounted by 75 percent at night, dropping the cost for a passenger vehicle to $3.75.

Fares will go up by $1.25 for taxis and black car services, and by $2.50 for Uber and Lyft. Passengers will be responsible for paying the new fees, and they will be added to every ride that begins, ends or occurs within the congestion zone. There will be no nighttime discounts. (The new fees come on top of an existing congestion surcharge that was imposed on for-hire vehicles in 2019.)

The tolls will mostly be collected using the E-ZPass system. Electronic detection points have been placed at entrances and exits to the tolling zone. Drivers who do not use an E-ZPass will pay significantly higher fees — for instance, $22.50 instead of $15 during peak hours for passenger vehicles.

Emergency vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances and police cars, as well as vehicles carrying people with disabilities, were exempted from the new tolls under the state’s congestion pricing legislation .

As for discounts, low-income drivers who make less than $50,000 annually can apply to receive half off the daytime toll after their first 10 trips in a calendar month. In addition, low-income residents of the congestion zone who make less than $60,000 a year can apply for a state tax credit.

All drivers entering the zone directly from four tolled tunnels — the Lincoln, Holland, Hugh L. Carey and Queens-Midtown — will receive a “crossing credit” that will be applied against the daytime toll. The credit will be $5 round-trip for passenger vehicles, $12 for small trucks and intercity and charter buses, $20 for large trucks and tour buses, and $2.50 for motorcycles. No credits will be offered at night.

Grace Ashford contributed reporting.

Winnie Hu is a Times reporter covering the people and neighborhoods of New York City. More about Winnie Hu

Ana Ley is a Times reporter covering New York City’s mass transit system and the millions of passengers who use it. More about Ana Ley

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Romania and Bulgaria partially join Europe's Schengen travel zone
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