The best area for different tours and activities is definitely Arenal volcano. If you book your hotel there most of the tour operators will do the pick up/drop off at the hotel. I can name two that our agency works with for years and has best experience: Desafio http://www.desafiocostarica.com/ and Aventuras Arenal http://www.aventurasarenal.com/. Prices vary on the activities, so look them up and it will give you an idea.

Desafio also offers tours in other areas of the country, plus adventure connections tours which are handy if you don't rent a vehicle. It's door-to-door transfer with exciting tour in between.

I wouldn't recommend renting a car, as Chery already commented. It will cost $50-$80 per day for a 7 day rental if you still want to do it.

Good luck with your planning!

I'm in costa rica right now, staying at riu palace. i just came from montana de fuego and puntarenas. if you want to go to tourist places and participate in different activities for a week, i suggest bringing around $200-$300. here zip lining is $60 per person, mountain tours and volcano tour packages are about $100.

per day will just depend on what hotel you're staying at and what activities you do. it would probably range from $200-$900. riu palace is $415 a night and i went jet skiing/surfing/ziplining and did volcano tours which was about an additional $300 (for 2 people). different hotels have different prices for activities. you also need additional money (small bills) for tipping people. the workers, maids, etc. most of them make their money from tips. i brought about $80 worth of money in small bills like $1 and $5 to tip people for a week

as for a rental car, i'm not entirely sure. the roads around mountains and volcano areas for hiking are VERY steep and muddy. some are not even roads, mostly gravel. also, the sun goes down around 6 and its pitch dark out by 6:30-7 most nights and there aren't a lot of street lights around the volcanos here. it's difficult to drive. i suggest you ride a travel bus or get a ride with the drivers there. arrange them before of course so it's easier.

good luck! have fun, costa rica is great. if u need help u can contact me :-)

We are planning a trip for next year, and intend to use Perillo Tours. we have taken their tour of Italy - and also go to Italy on our own ( husband speaks Italian, and planned every single inch of the trip.) when you add up the costs of what you are getting, and the LEVEL of accommodations, food, etc. - plus the safety of being in an escorted tour - you might find this good for a single woman. We travel a LOT, and most of that we do is unescorted, since between us we speak several languages, and are aware, intelligent travelers - but sometimes the tour deal is just better. BTW - we are 63/64, and as i said, travel often, domestic bad international, and most often book our often things - but Perillo has always been a good deal for us, so will do it again.

Its depend of the hotel, by example, in Jaco beach you can find a nice condo at Los Sue?os resort, for US$300/night or there are hotel like: Best Western with a price of US$90/night. About tours and transportation you can check this site. http://www.jacotransfers.com/

I work in a Hotel, and I send all my friend to have tours with this company, they are 100% legal with: insurances and English spoken.