Tourist Shot In Barranquilla

[MichaelP]

...So having said that, the best thing I think I've ever read on this board with regards to the subject is probably this:
 
Don't take or carry anything with you that you're not willing to give up or lose.

That's all well and good. But what about leaving your valuables in your hotel and having them stolen there? 

[euforia51]

You just can't cover all of the bases, can you? lol Same rule applies. If I am not willing, or cannot afford, to lose it ... it stays home.

[whitey]

You just can't cover all of the bases, can you? lol Same rule applies. If I am not willing, or cannot afford, to lose it ... it stays home.

Yep, that's why I leave my new Crackberry Torch at home ... I just don't want to lose it, even though I miss it and see colombianos using their Blackberries on the buses, restaurants, and malls.

I spend too much time walking around that it would be on my mind too much.  If I was just a hotel-cab-mall-cab-restaurant-cab-hotel kind of guy, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Micky]

Hotels have safes in the office,  leave your passport there,  get a receipt.  In Colombia a passport is more/less $500 U.S. street value.
Micky

[euforia51]

Hotels have safes in the office,  leave your passport there,  get a receipt.  In Colombia a passport is more/less $500 U.S. street value.

Fair enough if you're staying in a hotel ... how about a suggestion for those renting apartments?

[AndyLee]

9 times out of 10 there is a nightstand or bureau that I can tilt up and put my laptop and iPad under. Passport and credit cards and extra cash, put it in a ziplock bag and duct tape it to the bottom of a dresser drawer. They sell duct tape in little rolls about the size of a lip balm. Perfect for travelers. If you are renting an apartment for a week or month bring a small metal lockable box with you and screw it to the floor or wall in the closet.

[Researcher]

     Most hotels I have stayed in have had safes.The times I didn't have a safe I just locked everything in my suitcase.I know that someone can just take the whole suitcase but they really have to be willing to walk out with a big suitcase that might be empty for all they know. I've never had anything come up missing.I hope I continue to be so lucky.

         Researcher

[AndyLee]

Excellent idea Rese, next time try screwing the suitcase to the floor then locking it

[Researcher]

        I have to say AndyLee I like your ideas also.Putting things out of sight can take away temptation from someone ripping you off.The only people you really need to worry about taking your stuff in a hotel is the staff.My thoughts on that are the cleaning staff at hotels may take things but I doubt they rummage through every room they are in looking for things to take.If they do sooner or later they get caught. Most stuff I have ever heard of getting stolen from a hotel room was left out in plain view.So there is some use in just putting your things away even if you can't lock them up.I feel better when my valuables and documents are in a safe though.

         Researcher