The general rule seems to be "always put your valuables in a money belt under your clothes". I get that; but what do you do when you stay in the same place for a couple of days? When you go to the beach? To a busy market? Of go party in nighttime? I'm not sure keeping my passport and credit card on me at all times is always the best move...
I learned in SEA that budget guesthouses almost never provide any kind of (reliable) safe. Up until this point I've always just left my valuables in my room went I went to the beach or out in the night time. But I wonder if this is a foolish thing to do? I'm leaving next week for a one year trip (starting in India) and would like to get some advice on what to with my passport and credit card when traveling on a budget...
There is no 'set rule'......different people do different things.
Some carry everything with them every time they go out......some use a safe (if there is one)...some leave everything in the room.
Each method has its own risks.Nothing is foolproof.One thing you can vertainly do is have a copy of your passport and cards and keep them in a seperate place.....if the originals stay in the room,the copies come with you.
Another is to wear a money belt(as you say).Another is to always lock your backpack.....most opportunist thieves (staff or other backpackers in hostels)will not go the extent of cutting your bag open...they are looking for easy pickings in general.
Personally I leave most of the stuff (cards,passport,camera)in the backpack,LOCKED,in the room...unless i need them of course.
That has always worked (so far)..no-one has cut my bag open in over 20 years of travelling.But it could happen..
I keep mine in an inside zipped pocket. At night if I'm in a hostel - they're right by my side. If I'm in a hotel room, then it's of little worry.
I've had as moneybelt - but it wasn't for me.
If they weren't a sellable product overall though, they wouldn't exist. So they're liked by many people, not by others.
Like already said - different people do different things.
usually i leave my bag full of cloths in my room. however when i travelled to paris i had left my cell phone in my room and came back to find it was missing. apart from that ive never had any issuse. however i always keep my credit card, passport, and money with me. i have a great backpack with a hidden pocket on the back. works great because while its on me no one can reach the zipper unless they take my bag off and even if they cut into it they stil wont get any acess to the hidden pocket
You could check out a portable safe from Pacsafe. As long as there is something secure to lock it to in the room (the bed, a wooden beam etc) it is reasonably secure (I guess nothing would deter a very determinaed thief). I try to also keep it out of sight in the room so as not to draw attention to it. I used one of these for my spare money and passport when I was on the beach and doing other activities where it is not possible to keep an eye on your belongings. They also make one big enough for laptops and even your whole bag.
http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=18
Somebody on here objected to my under my pants money belt. They said,"Someone who knows you use one, may reach in and grab the sytrap. Swnigning you around till it breaks. Haaa haa .
Must of been weeks since I saw it happen. heee hee
Like my old man use to say,"Some folks think preyin' is hard on your knees."
I know a girl who buys a certain type of bra specifically to use whilst travelling. Apparently it has small removable pads in the lower half. She takes them out and stuffs them with numerically high bank notes and her 2 bank cards. Therefore she can travel with small notes in her pocket or purse, just enough for what she will need for the day etc. She only does this when travelling long distances. I'm sure though when even going out for a night or even during the day when settled in a village,town, or city would work out equally well.
A good piece of advice for all you girls out there!
She wears loose fitting clothes and the cards are in the lower half of the cup? is that what it's called??
The bras aren't 'special'. They are found in most ladies wear shops - in the undies dept - No, I don't frequent the departments! Does the plastic not promote sweat? Anyway, next time I see her, I'll ask her to 'do a catwalk' with the cards in her bra. :-))
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