Article content As we sailed along pod of more than 300 spinner dolphins broke the sea, like a fusillade of missiles, along side our sail boat. We were onboard the Star Clipper, a luxurious replica of a 19th century clipper ship. is a small cruise ship but a big sailing ship and a clean, quiet way to explore a nation that fiercely guards its rich nature.
The ship uses her sails as much as possible, relying on engines only when wind doesn’t cooperate. “She’ll do 17 knots with wind power, even with just three sails up,” second officer Sergei told me. “The engines, nine knots.
” Sails are raised by hand and passengers are welcome to haul ropes. Those with steady stomachs can climb the rigging to the crow’s nest for a seagull’s view of the ship cutting the sea. Along the way, I saw a variety of sea turtles paddle dreamily alongside, and wintering humpbacks break the surface with a snort of spray.
The ship was the first cruise ship to achieve an International Air Pollution Certificate, and its eco-credentials have been certified by the Costa Rican government’s Pura Vida Pledge. Costa Rica has only .03% of Earth’s terrain, yet hosts 5% of its biodiversity.
Almost 28% of the country is protected. “I have the pleasure to show my country to a lot of people,” says Costa Rica-born cruise director Axel Melchior. “We go to the south and its humid, green national parks, and then sail the whole Pacific Coast to [the northern province of] Guanacaste with its beaches .