In general, I suggest spending a month and staying in each of the places to really get a feel for them and check out the vibe for yourself. But heading to different areas to get a feel for them is a great first step.
I don't have anyone in particular that i can recommend for tours.. but I met this man on an editorial trip and he is starting a group to help people- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574689898866&rdid=q4twgfg5Z2gaIxih&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1B6pbpgsTY%2F#
The best healthcare is in the Central Valley, so keep that in mind. The best equipped hostpitals and most specialists are there. Often times, a specialist will visit a clinic in Guanacaste once a month. So it isn't as conveninet.
An important factor to consider is the weather. What temperatures do you prefer? It rains everywhere, yet some places have more rain than others.
The beaches
Hot and humid, and I love them!
Guanacaste is the driest part of Costa Rica. The Central Pacific receives more rain.
Lake Arenal
Cooler (temperature) than the beach.
Nuevo Arenal gets about 50% more rain than Tronadora, located just across the lake.
Tronadora is much windier.
La Fortuna and the surrounding towns like Chachagua are drier and warmer.
The Central Valley
Cooler temperatures - especially from the variety of elevations available.
I always recommmend reaching out to FB groups and asking questions. I use those groups to learn about differnt areas and connect with new people all of the time. FB groups are very active here and worth using as a resource.
These FB pages might be a good start:
Arenal
https://www.facebook.com/groups/712758082803982
https://www.facebook.com/groups/270122543035935
Guanacaste
https://www.facebook.com/groups/297720547030161
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3442610169117243
Jaco
https://www.facebook.com/groups/290260966853843
https://www.facebook.com/groups/711552235579574
There are lots of expat groups too:
search 'Expats in... '
This group posts about a women's would be a great place to get insider info for Guanacaste. https://www.facebook.com/groups/663758784658197
Many people find staying in an Airbnb a good way to check out a community, more so than a hotel.
I talked with Nick when in Nuevo Arenal and he rent out an Airbnb.
https://internationalliving.com/from-deaths-door-to-thriving-in-lake-arenal-costa-rica/ (https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/40036748?source_impression_id=p3_1719933875_P3ic3CyJiPWB-oYF)
Good luck on your travels. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I have 2 contacts for Real Estate in the Central Valley
Carol Prado - KW | Costa Rica. You can send him a message on WhatsApp message (+506 6345 7251) or email (Carol.prado@kwcostarica.com) to connect with him.
And Brooke Bishop +506 8311 5336.
And Mariana with KW in Tamarindo +506 6155 5265.