03/21/2024
People often ask meā¦. Is travel safe? Is this resort safe? Is this country safe?
My thoughts:
Theft can happen anywhere. It can be committed by staff, it can be done by another guest, or it by an offsite theft team. Crime can be present or absent at any resort/hotel, in any country, depending on the day or week. (And it can also happen at home- just professional thieves know peopleās guard can be āmoreā down when they are chillinā on vacation! )
Advice: donāt bring anything valuable on vacation .
A few other hints:
1)Always have a photocopy or photo of your passport and other important travel documents so if you lose anything, you have the numbers on hand (and donāt forget the back of rhe credit too so you have the numbers to call in case of need)
2) I also always take a pic of the safe with stuff in it to prove I had it in there before I close it up
3) I like to recommend that you donāt leave all your cash and credit cards in just one location (ie you could leave most in safe but hide a credit card and $50 somewhere else in room)
4) if you want other valuables with you, lock them with a great lock somewhere else. Or bring your own lock and safe with you, if you are that worried. They sell on Amazon as ātravel safesā
5) remember losing credit cards isnāt the end of the world. Just call right away and let the credit card company know. (And hence #1) and by having another credit card elsewhere (hence # 3) means your vacation isnāt ruined. But these days Amex and such may be able to courier you a card pretty much anywhere in 48 hours.
6) Losing cash is harder as canāt be replaced. So best to have a mixture of both credit and cash. I suggest using overseas ATMs to get more cash along the way so you arenāt carrying big amounts. Yes, the fees are higher and the exchange rates are lower - but unless you are a bit cash spender - the extra fees are likely going to be under $100 at the end of the day - a small price vs theft (and likely vs the cost of your total vacation!)
7) if you are worried, know your surroundings, and use caution. maybe best not to go out late at night, wear flashy jewelry, or show off a wad of cash in your wallet
And please - donāt be quick to judge a resort or country as āunsafeā because you heard someone was victim to a crime. We often overlook the fact that it was actually another guest who committed the crime or theft - not the local team! And that, you canāt predict. So be vigilant.
Feel free to add other tips and tricks in this thread.