www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The trip from the airport to a bank would be the same as a trip to a hotel.

If you have the time, I would open a special bank account back home (or even have a trusted friend open one for you, perhaps the guy you are supposedly backpacking with) and get an ATM card. Open it in his name even, but an ATM card is a great way to go.

Opening an account here isn't an option. As far as hotel reservations, I wouldn't bother, personally, unless you have some really special reason for staying at one particular hotel. There are lots of hotels to choose from and you can get a decent room somewhere.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

why not just monger in Canada??
Squidface

To cover your ass, bring cash. Use the hotel room safe. The hotel may want to see a credit card upon check in but they will give you the credit card slip when you pay cash on leaving.. or leave them a cash deposit upon arrival.

Do not forget your safe entry code.

Your passport will be stamped and in a divorce proceeding it may be subpoenaed. You could misplace it after you return and get a new one.

I would not use your frequent flyer number for the flight. Those records may be subpoenaed too.

Do not give chicas or friends your real name. Get and use a nickname.

Another alternative is to go "backpacking or mountain climbing" in Costa Rica.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

Looking for a different experience. (And a more economical one.)

Thanks for the tips. I've been using "Kenneth Green" for 10 years now and, so far, have survived unscathed. So, that, I'm used to.

The one thing I didn't think about was claiming a backpacking trip to Costa Rica. Too late now, but that might work for the future. I guess when you're doing all this clandestine planning, sometimes you miss the obvious.

All my mongering has been in the states and I'm really looking forward to the mongering as well as the sightseeing in Costa Rica. Hopefully, I'll meet some of you in May or June.

Thanks to all those who posted helpful advice.

It may be a good idea for SOMEONE to know where you are. While I did not tell grandmother that I was going to CR for some inexpensive play, I did leave the resort number. In addition, I picked up a telephone card from the pharmacy, and called everyone to say hello.

Travel with cash. Open an e-mail account with a provider like Yahoo. Get a telephone number in the area that you will be hiking with the service that sends voice mail messages to an e-mail account.

Dennis