Sloth kong

Battered and bruised, a Costa Rican men's national football team missing more than half of its regular starters still managed to beat Panama this week in World Cup qualifying play.

Even Sloth Kong needs a little adrenaline rush now and then.

Congratulations Esteban Ramírez!

Congratulations to Karin Cook Hass for winning our July photo contest. On behalf of Karin and her travel partners, we’ll donate $100 to Hogar Sol for needy children in Costa Rica.

Congratulations to Krysta Benzenberg for winning our June photo contest. On behalf of Krysta, we'll donate $100 to Hogar Sol for needy children in Costa Rica.

Remember back in March when we announced that our beloved Sloth Kong was taking over Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría International Airport? Well, it turns out that the hospitality offered to big SK at his new digs has been overwhelming. Hundreds – perhaps thousands – of travelers passing through Costa Rica's busiest air hub have stopped to snap their photo with Sloth Kong.

After finding itself improbably atop the Group of Champions, the small Central American country is now favored for the first time in the World Cup.

With its unexpected victory in Group D of the 2014 World Cup Brazil, Costa Rica has truly become the happiest place in the world.

Sloth Kong and Costa Rica conquer Group D, and the three former World Cup champions they faced in Brazil. The Ticos' next goal: Reach...