I don't believe in better or worse.
Choosing a country of residence, part or full time, is as individual a choice as dating, preference in foods, design, music or colors.
I thus however believe in ruling out.
When it comes to countries, I have, after having resided in almost 10 different ones, found that one thing that will over time be a downturn, is clashing with the local "culture"... in other words, a country's local population.
No beach, sand, sunshine or what ever will ever make good for ones contempt towards the local population's everyday way of life. Because at the end of a day, it's its people which makes a country, and it's something that will affect every aspect of your life or time there.
I would think that Costa Ricans and Dominicans are, while belonging to the wide "Latino" circle of cultures, very very different.
So, that's where I would test myself against first.
Also be warned that Costa Rica (too) is been plagued with fraudulent real estate "transactions"... many perpetuated by US and EU citizens luring their fellow country folks into confidence via language or origins.
... J-D.