Just a word to the wise about a hotel in Managua called Ideas de Mama. It was our last stop before coming home and we knew exactly how much money we left in our hotel room when we left for an outing to go to some hot springs for the day. When we came back to the room, we knew exactly how much money was missing, and confronted the desk clerk. He gave us our money back after some lame denials. It was the second time on our 10 day trip that we had our room broken into, so by the last day, we were pretty alert to the possibility. The lonely planet suggested sewing a secret pocket into your suitcase/backpack. I regret not having taken that piece of wisdom.
1
gawkabout
A typical happening in CR.
And folks won't beleive me about
www.ricksteves.com moneybelt.
Special design.
I started wanting to learn, after ignoring too many warnings.
Pride is a two edged sword.
And "God won't allow it."
is more than naíve. Its stupid.
2
eddystonelightkeeper
to deter casual theft i padlock the zipper pulls of my pack together with an airport lock when leaving the room.
3
huxley2009
The money belt isn't something you want to have on you when swimming at the beach or in our case, going to hot springs. And the locals are hip to the fact that tourists nearly always are wearing money belts, so you're damned if you do and damned if you don't carry it on you. The bottom line is you shouldn't carry more than walking money on you, but you need a safe place in your room to keep the money.The lock on the bags or a hidden pocket in your bag is a no brainer after this experience.
4
chriscan
I got regular belt from AMA with a zipper on the inside where you can keep cash. I don't use it though.
When I go to a beach, I usually find a rock and bury my stuff but you have to be careful nobody is watching. I did that once but my wife and I didn't put the cell phones in the hole and they were stolen by some spearfishermen. The phones were taken out of the bag while we were snorkeling. My phone was only worth $12 but the wife's was worth about $50 and she lost some phone numbers.
Other than that, I haven't had a problem. The biggest thing is not to put all of your eggs in one basket. I have two credit cards and two debit cards that I keep separate and my passport is what I guard the most.
Managua is hell, and if I spent a night there, I would expect to get robbed. Managua in the day is like San Jose at night. Managua in the night is like Bagdad in the day.
You must be one hell of a talker to get your money back. I'm impressed. In the end, it's only money though.
5
tramoyero
Chriscan: I don´t know what experiences you had in Managua, but for one thing San Jose is way more dangerous than Managua, day or night. And to be honest, I recognize Managua is no Saints´ land, but you don´t have to "expect to get robbed", and comparing Managua with Bagdad is a little bit outrageous. Please share your bad experience in Managua, so we can learn from it, but don´t scare other people by just stating that kind of things. Anywhere yo go, the more you save in accomodation, the unsafer the area will be, therefore its surroundings. I could mention a few areas in Managua where no one woud like to be, but then, I would also have to mention a few in San Jose, or in New York, Houston, San Francisco, Madrid, Paris, etc. No way you´re finding a riskfree city.
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