Central America - Costa Rica vacation

I am planning a family vacation to Costa Rica in July/August. Need suggestions.
The family includes my two sons and their spouses, three grand children (4,1,and 1 year old), my wife and myself. There is a medical need to be closer to Hotels or facilities.
Our interests rain forest, nature, and beaches (last preference). Hiking, not over 3-5 miles as there are small children and the medical necessity to use facilities.
My questions:
1. Can we stay in one place and drive around? If so which town?
2. How expensive are Costarican Hotels? Considering our family, would it be worthwhile to look for cottages, condos etc?
3. How is rental car in CostaRica? Is driving hazzardous? Or, it would be better to take a sight seeing group tour?
4. Any anyone taken a Costarican vacation with children? Would they be bored (4 yr old)?

You will probably get better responses in the "Central America" sub-forum. I see several threads there that address various aspects of travel to Costa Rica.

Link: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/central-america-479/

I am a senior so not big on athletic things. We did Caravan Tours. You purchase your own air and they provide transfers, hotels, all your meals, sightseeing and anything else you can think of. Tremendous value for your money. It doesn't pay to do it all separately IMHO.

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Central America Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

...3. How is rental car in CostaRica? Is driving hazzardous? Or, it would be better to take a sight seeing group tour?...Regarding driving, check out this thread. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/central-america/1020151-costa-rica-december.html)Lots of comments pro and con. Note that those are not the only options. Shuttle services, which connect all the major cities with door-to-door service two or more times a day, may be worth considering - especially if they offer discounted fares for small children. On longer trips they stop at places with acceptably clean restrooms, and will surely make more stops if need be - especially for a group that fills most of the van.

Keep in mind that if you don't have a car while in Costa Rica, in addition to your planned intercity transportation expenses taxi fares within an area can add up quickly. Just remember this as you're figuring the cost of transportation.

I recommend renting a car (cars in your case), but YMMV.

I am planning a family vacation to Costa Rica in July/August. Need suggestions.
The family includes my two sons and their spouses, three grand children (4,1,and 1 year old), my wife and myself. There is a medical need to be closer to Hotels or facilities.
Our interests rain forest, nature, and beaches (last preference). Hiking, not over 3-5 miles as there are small children and the medical necessity to use facilities.
My questions:
1. Can we stay in one place and drive around? If so which town?
2. How expensive are Costarican Hotels? Considering our family, would it be worthwhile to look for cottages, condos etc?
3. How is rental car in CostaRica? Is driving hazzardous? Or, it would be better to take a sight seeing group tour?
4. Any anyone taken a Costarican vacation with children? Would they be bored (4 yr old)?

Instead of hotels, you might think about a vacation rental (condo, house). Check out VRBO and Home Away (no links; Google those sites).

Quepos/Manuel Antonio is a neat destination, and there is a regular hospital outside Quepos by the airport should you need.