In order to assist you on your trip to Costa Rica, here are some handy links that will give you very complete information.
For a long list of all sorts of handy links for living and travelling in Costa Rica, you can not beat Tico Links.
One of the best web sites I have seen that give the "real picture" on what it might be like to move here is a website called "The Real Costa Rica". It was designed and concieved by the forum moderator of Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR) which is an excellent organization should you look at moving here.
John Howells publishes a book called "Choose Costa Rica" which is very well done should you look at moving or retiring here. He also hosts a forum for expats and visitors to exchange ideas and information about visiting Costa Rica. (note that he is uptight about talk on the forum regarding crime and marijuana, but you are free to discuss how to buy and import handguns)
English language news is available at following sites. AM Costa Rica is published daily and includes news and classifieds (not very good in my opinion. Very right wing with a real U.S. slant). Tico Times is a weekly newspaper sold throughout Costa Rica and is also available online. If there truely is any news that affects Ex-pats in Costa Rica, The Tico Times will have it. The daily newspaper is called La Nacion and is only available in Spanish Language.