My daughter and I liked Cahuita a lot on the East coast but that was in the early 80s. I'm sure Costa Rica has changed a lot now.
Also, my Lao wife and I are in the process of establishing a tropical rainforest food garden in her village about 20km NE of Vientiane. You'd be welcome to visit, give us some advice and/or stay with us awhile if you are interested. I will be going to Pai around Christmas in NE Thailand for three weeks before returning to Laos around mid-Jan.'19.