Cuando llegué a Vilcabamba después de haber vivido varios años cerca del mar y en otros espacios rodeado de paisajes naturales, me encontré con una tierra que, desde el primer momento te permite sentir a través de sus montañas la invitación a escuchar sus historias y que con sus ríos nos trae memorias de las generaciones pasadas que vivieron aquí.
But if there is something that distinguishes Vilcabamba, it is its reputation for being the home of people who reach extraordinary ages, which is why it has long been called the “valley of longevity.”
The current question then: how relevant is the issue of longevity in the sacred valley of Vilcabamba today?
Months before the remembered pandemic (plan-demic, as it is remembered by many people in these lands), I was lucky enough to meet Don José Delgado Jaramillo (+) in Quinara, a 105-year-old man who, despite his age, still walked every morning to his garden to take care of his crops and small animals.
His energy, his stories, and the peace with which he spoke about life left me deeply impressed. It was not just his longevity that I admired, but the quality of life he had achieved at that age.

The team of the Sound of the Wind From Go2Vilcabamba enjoy the best Italian cuisine in the province of Loja in
This personal experience sparked my curiosity about the subject of longevity in Vilcabamba, a phenomenon that has captivated both scientists and seekers of spiritual meaning.
However, as I investigated further, I discovered that the reality is much more complex than local legends or magazine headlines might lead us to believe.
One of the key current indicators that I came across and that stands out a lot is the particularity of Vilcabamba with respect to the High percentage of older adults compared to the national average in Ecuador. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) of the 2022 census, while the rate of older adults in Ecuador is 9%, in Vilcabamba it reaches a remarkable 16%.
The science behind Vilcabamba's longevity
Scientific interest in Vilcabamba began in the 1970s, when a group of researchers discovered that the local population seemed to have a remarkably high life expectancy. These initial studies hypothesized that factors such as mineral-rich water, a diet based on natural foods, and constant physical exercise could be the key to longevity.
However, later reviews have questioned the validity of these early findings. In some cases, age records were found to be not entirely accurate, leading some scientists to reconsider whether Vilcabamba was truly a unique case of longevity. A study led by gerontologist Dr. Alexander Leaf in 1973 noted that the inhabitants of Vilcabamba were long-lived, but that their exact ages were often poorly documented due to a lack of formal records in bygone eras.
On the other hand, more recent research has analyzed genetic and environmental factors. An article published in The Lancet In 2004, he pointed out that longevity could be influenced more by genetic factors than by specific environmental conditions. However, this does not rule out the fact that air and water quality and an active lifestyle play an important role in general well-being.
In addition, an active lifestyle, a diet based on local foods, and community interaction have been pointed out as elements that promote healthy aging. However, these characteristics are not exclusive to Vilcabamba and are found in other regions of the world with demonstrably long-lived populations, such as the “Blue Zones.”
Es entonces, que el dato del último censo sugiere que, independientemente de la longevidad extrema, una proporción significativa de su población vive hasta edades avanzadas, superando el promedio nacional y podría ser considerado un factor clave para fortalecer las investigaciones al respecto.

The role of the environment in Vilcabamba
Although genes are essential, it is known that the environment can enhance or inhibit gene expression, a concept known as epigenetics.
In Vilcabamba, the natural environment offers ideal conditions for healthy aging that should be studied in more depth.
Mineral-rich water
The water in Vilcabamba contains significant levels of calcium and magnesium, essential for bone and cardiovascular health, and small amounts of other minerals. This could contribute to the general well-being of its inhabitants.
Clean air
Vilcabamba's geographical location, surrounded by mountains and far from large urban centers, guarantees high-quality air, which can reduce respiratory diseases and oxidative stress.
Healthy diet
Traditionally, the local diet has been based on fresh produce such as corn, plantains, yuca and fruits grown in the region. These options are low in processed foods and rich in nutrients.
Daily physical activity
Many older adults continue to work in the fields or take daily walks, integrating moderate exercise into their daily lives.
Social and spiritual connection
Constant interaction with the community and a sense of purpose appear to be key factors in the emotional well-being of residents.
The Blue Zones: the “spots” of longevity. Why is Vilcabamba not listed there?
What are Blue Zones?
The Blue Zones These are regions identified by researcher Dan Buettner and a team of scientists as places where people have a significantly longer than average life expectancy and a high proportion of active, healthy centenarians.
These areas include:
Okinawa (Japan)
Sardinia (Italy)
Loma Linda (California, United States)
Nicoya (Costa Rica)
Icaria (Greece)
These areas share common characteristics:
- Diet rich in vegetables and low in processed foods.
- Constant physical activity in daily life.
- Strong social and family ties.
- Life with stress controlled by effective actions.
Aunque Vilcabamba comparte muchas de estas características, no fue incluida en las investigaciones de Buettner debido a la falta de datos verificables y evidencia científica que respalden consistentemente su supuesta longevidad excepcional.
Es necesario, entonces que Vilcabamba supere algunos obstáculos para validar científicamente la longevidad excepcional por la que lleva su nombre, algunos de estos son:
Lack of reliable historical records:Until a few decades ago, many people were born and lived without official documentation, making it difficult to verify extreme reported ages.
Lifestyle changes:The arrival of tourism and modernization have altered eating habits and the traditional way of life, which could be affecting the health of current generations.
To further study the current relationship between longevity and a high proportion of older adults compared to the country level. Although Vilcabamba has a high percentage of older adults, this does not necessarily mean that there are more centenarians compared to other places, but it can be an interesting starting point.
Similarly, while the Blue Zones have been the subject of multiple interdisciplinary studies, the data on Vilcabamba is less consistent, as it has not been subjected to the same level of scientific scrutiny as the Blue Zones.
Es importante señalar que el concepto de Blue Zones también tiene un componente comercial, ya que tiene un enfoque orientado a promover programas de bienestar y estilos de vida basados en sus hallazgos. Vilcabamba no ha formado parte de estas investigaciones ni de las iniciativas de comercialización global.
…. y entonces?. Es Vilcabamba un valle de la longevidad oficialmente reconocido con respaldo científico? qué podemos hacer?
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Comprehensive scientific research, through comprehensive demographic studies documenting the actual longevity of the inhabitants, involving experts in gerontology, nutrition, genetics and anthropology.
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Reliable records. Digitized and verified.
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International promotion. A través de un trabajo coordinado con international researchers and organizations such as the Blue Zones team to position Vilcabamba as a longevity research destination.
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Preservation of traditional lifestyles. Encourage the consumption of local foods and minimize dependence on processed products by promoting and strengthening traditional agroecological practices.
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Education and awareness. TO local communities on the importance of maintaining healthy habits and their cultural traditions.

Old photo of long-lived people in Vilcabamba
Photo credit: GAD Vilcabamba

David SanMartín. Coffee producer from the Association of Long-Term Coffee Producers of Vilcabamba, at 82 years old he participates daily in the activities related to the production of this emblematic drink of Vilcabamba.
Life stories. Beyond science
Despite scientific reviews and the need to delve deeper into specific topics, there is no denying that there is something special about Vilcabamba. My encounter with Don José was a living example of that magic. This man was not only long-lived; he was fulfilled.
Stories like that of Don José (+) can still be heard in Vilcabamba. The elderly do not live in isolation; they are an active part of their families and communities; and being able to enjoy some of these stories when these people decide to open the doors of their homes to you is one of the charms that for someone like me, who has come from outside to the sacred valley of Vilcabamba, is priceless.
NARRATION AND INFORMATION COLLECTION
Fausto Valero (Chaski from PachaMamita)
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REVIEW
- Leaf, A. (1973). Longevity in Vilcabamba. National Geographic.
- Verdaguer, R. (2004). “Genetics and Longevity at High Altitudes.” The Lancet.
- Fry, CL (2001). Aging in Culture: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. New York: Springer.
- United Nations Demographic Yearbook (1975). Ecuador: Demographic Patterns.
- National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC). (2022). Demographic data of Vilcabamba.
- Villavicencio, F. (2017). “Aging and quality of life in the Andean region.” Andean Journal of Public Health.
- Blue Zones Project. (2020). “Exploring Longevity Hotspots Around the World.”
- Sanchez, M. (2010). Water, land and longevity: Vilcabamba in the global imagination. Quito: Abya Yala Publishing House.