Newbie and some water/weather questions

As for ocean experience there are some nice areas where the beach is mellow. Look for areas where there is kind of an inlet or small bay; otherwise the ocean can get pretty wicked.

If money is no object northern Guanacaste might be what you are looking for. Less rain there, warm and sunny, nice beaches.

the weather all over the world is becoming unpredictable so the traditional seasons in CR are now not normal (predictable).
I live in the south Caribe where the mountains protect against hurricanes and such, but it can flood in the low lands. 
Find a webcam and see what its like somewhere but IMHO there is no way anymore to predict Costa Rica's weather outside of its great and sunny or its raining.
Coasts are obviously different from highlands, but the highlands are mild in temperature versus the coasts.
Also beach wave roughness (and current)is dictated by coral or the coast line and ocean, so you can find anything (surf, calm, clear, etc.)
On the whole, the ONLY thing cheaper in CR than the states (same to same) is labor!  Sorry, even CR beer costs more in CR than in the states.
I can be more specific but thats my 10 year's summary.
Pura Vida

I respectfully disagree with HWL re prices in Costa Rica.

There are many things cheaper in Costa Rica than in the U.S.. Yes, prices have gone up dramatically over the past several years. Yes, sometimes prices are higher on some things like imported beer, than in the U.S..

I'll get into some specifics:
Pizza at Papa John's is probably the same or more than in the U.S.
On the other hand you can find pizza much cheaper at a mom and pop restaurant.

Veges are more expensive than in the U.S.; or cheaper. Depends on where you shop.

Real estate is definitely cheaper in Costa Rica for WHAT YOU GET. Sure, a fancy American style house with a pool on the beach is going to cost a lot. But not as much as one on the beach in the U.S.

Beer: Beer is generally a little cheaper in the U.S., especially American budget beer that most of us wouldn't be drinking. In terms of premium beer it depends on which premium beer. Imperial and Bavaria in Costa Rica probably cost about the same as a premium beer in the U.S.

Basically there are a lot of bargains to be found in Costa Rica. Are prices as low in Costa Rica as they are in Guatemala or Mexico? Generally speaking no. But there certainly are bargains to be found in Costa Rica. I know people who are living pretty well on $1200/month in Costa Rica. (They own their home so rent is not factored in, just utilities and upkeep.)

I do not know anyone living well in a similarly nice area of the U.S. on $1200 a month.