The Dean family from Cupertino made a return trip to Costa Rica this month.  The trip was in part to see some of the Rotary sponsored water projects and also to explore some new areas of the country after their first experience in Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio in 2009.  After their San Jose Rotary experience, the Dean family of 4 (2 adults and 2 young adults) flew to Punta Islita for a stay at the beautiful Hotel Punta Islita on the Nicoya Peninsula in southern Guanacaste.  The regional airport is only 10 minutes from the resort.  The Dean’s reported that this property was heavenly.  The family stayed in a spacious 2 bedroom/2 bath villa with gorgeous water views, plunge pool and full kitchen.  With the accommodations built into the hillside, they had use of a golf cart to get around.  Other property amenities include an infinity pool, several dining options, spa, gym as well as the beach club with pool and playground.  In addition, the resort offers a unique variety of cultural experiences such as cooking lessons and art projects along with an endless array of outdoor adventures such as kayaking, fishing, surfing and sea turtle watching in season.  The Deans’ took advantage of ATV rides, canopy zip line and horseback riding on the beach.  The family headed up to Rincon de la Vieja, an active volcano in northern Guanacaste, with a stay at Borinquen Mountain Resort and Spa.  While the service and food was less stellar than at Punta Islita, the Deans still enjoyed the beautiful landscaping, spa services and hot spring thermal pools.  An arduous hike to the volcano to see the boiling mudpots and fumaroles proved to be a worthwhile effort!  A flight out of Liberia airport ended another memorable Costa Rican vacation for this active family.