The fact that Hawke has worked his Special Forces consulting business in Costa Rica from time to time made it an obvious choice for a “home base” locale—at least in the inaugural book of the Jake Tyler series.  And since Jake hasn’t quite been able to put down roots, as a favored way-station for vagabonds and ex-pats it seemed the ideal “offbeat” setting.  It turned into quite a memorable experience that provided not only a great starting-point for the relationship of our characters, but some lasting real-life friendships with those who leant their expertise and support.  While Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination and one that wins many returning visitors, it tends to be lumped as an also-ran third world country—one with not quite as high a profile as, say, Mexico on the Atlantic-Pacific side, or with as much Jimmy Buffet allure as anywhere else in the Caribbean.  And yet this diminutive country of less than twenty thousand square miles is steeped in a tropical subculture that blends the Pacific and Caribbean.  With a diverse natural beauty that runs the gamut of beaches, mountains, and rainforest, it became one of the first and most thriving ecotourism meccas.

Our friend and advisor Jack Ewing runs one of the most notable of these, Hacienda Barú. While Hawke has spent time in Dominical and environs over the years, Jack was instrumental in sharing day-to-day life—not to mention much of his considerable knowledge and insights on the rainforest and everything that lives and breathes within.  You only need read any one of his stories to know that he is on a most intimidate level with the flora and fauna.  More, he is an impassioned proponent of land preservation and conservation.  Through him, we met a number of like-minded people all of who share his love of country and essence of pura vida.  Pura vida…pure life.  Two simple words that completely describe all that is Costa Rica.  Whether being pampered by the luxurious Tabacon resort or caressed by the night breeze blowing through the open-air Pacuare Jungle Lodge or charmed by the historical Hemingway Inn that feeling of pure life embraces.

With eight different climatic zones, ranging from the dry or humid climate of the Pacific and Atlantic lowlands to the cooler mountain air to the eternal Spring found on the Central Valley, the biological diversity of Costa Rica is incredible.  It has more beaches than Florida, sprawling along 762 miles of coastline.  There are more volcanoes than Hawaii, with over two-hundred identifiable volcanic formations dating back over 65 million years.  Only a hundred or so currently show any signs of volcanic activity, while just five are classified as active volcanoes.  A lush vegetation includes over 1500 species of flowering trees and 6000 kinds of flowering plants, of which 1200 species are orchids.  As a sportsman’s paradise, Costa Rica is world-renown for surfing, fishing, and whitewater rafting.