Long Story -- short version, victim of identity theft, including bank account. Currently working on it...and leaving in 3 weeks to Costa Rica. Question, I am planning on taking around $5,000 in cash with me. Or, would you recommend traveller's checks or a Visa Gift card (only allows $500 per card). Where do I hide the money? Seriously looking for your thoughts on this one~

Hi, well I'm sorry for what it happens to you, I hope you can get back everything soon.
I leave in NY and I used to be a tour guide in my country CR. Do not take cash more than 500, take ATM or CREDIT CARD with you, there are many places that accept CC and Debit Cards. If you need more information about places to go to, I'll be more than happy to help you, you can reach me at 914-320-4054 anytime, I'm Carmen.

I definitely recommened NOT taking that much cash, in agreement with Carmen. Traveler's Cheques work well at the hotels. You probably know exactly what you will owe at each hotel (or can easily find out). Most hotels are good about taking TC's. That should help you some. Hotels are our major expense when we are there.

Also, we do use ATM cards along the way and pick up a few hundred at a time for meals, incidentals, etc. We put some things on credit cards. Perhaps with the problems you are currently experiencing, you can't use your ATM card? If you can, do.

Keep your cash in a couple of different locations. I usually carry some on me somewhere as does my husband. We split it up so that if something happens to some of it, we still have some elsewhere. Definitely look into the TC's though, for hotels.

Choose carefully - When I was in Mexico, many of the ATMS only accepted Visa ATM cards. I am old-fashioned, I always carry travellers checks as back-up. Triple A switched from American Express to Visa t-checks, and no one would cash or accept them, not even the hotels, except the banks. The lines for people who do not have an account in the bank, were 45 minutes to 3 hours. With your present situation if you have or can establish an account with an ATM that would be better, faster. Ask your bank their ATM terms, some do not charge a fee in foreign countries if you have direct deposit, or certain other premium accounts. Hope this helps.

Don't know where in CR you're headed, but if it's in the Manuel Antonio area, the ATM's there definitely take Mastercard debit cards as well as Visa.

If I were you, I'd buy some prepaid debit cards if you don't want to open a new bank account before you go. Don't bring more than $500 in cash with you...and even then I'd keep most in a money belt, along w/ the debit cards.

Money belt, leg safe, hidden safety pockets on your clothes are all common ways to secure cash when traveling.

I would take some Travelers Checks and less cash. Plan to visit a bank during normal business hours to cash them (not except to spend direct for purchases).