How to keep documents and money safe when travel inexpensively?

[flyingaway]

For those of you who travel in Latin America or Southeast Asia inexpensively, staying in hostels or similarly places, how do you keep your documents (passport) and money (cash, credits) safe during your travel? I would assume they do not have a safe in your room when you stay at a $20 per night hotels? You cannot bring your passport with you when you are swimming, I guess.

[arebelspy]

You quickly learn not to worry about it.

If you are worried though, get something by pacsafe and just lock it to something heavy.

[BlueHouse]

I also recommend
1. photocopy of everything before you leave, left with a relative who can/will call to cancel cards if you request it. 
2. email yourself a copy of your license and passport so you can access it wherever you are from any computer or phone.
3. take at least two credit cards with you and keep them in two different places (one on you and one with your luggage?)
4. consider doing the same with bank accounts/ATM cards.

My passport and credit cards and an ATM card were stolen when I was in remote country.  They were in my pac safe, which I stupidly turned my back on.  Thank goodness I had another credit card, and an ATM card from another bank (just by chance...I hadn't planned it that way, but I was planning to spend all the cash in one account and then close the account and I just hadn't spent down the money yet).  This was 10 years ago, and it took almost 1 month to get a new passport issued (expedited, ha!), so I was glad I had the cash to continue doing the things I wanted to do while I waited. 

[lizzzi]

Not the geographical area you asked about, but in Dublin three months ago, the hostel had lockboxes of different sizes to rent down in the lobby. (Abigail Hostel, Aston Quay, central Dublin). I kept my passport and laptop locked up there while I was out and about. I also had photocopies of the passport, credit cards, & American drivers license folded up in my carryon bag, which I left in the hostel room. Also left copies at home in the States, and of course, it was in a file on the laptop.  For urban exploration, I used a 9" x 10" cross body purse with zippered compartments--the same bag I use in NYC. I didn't do any swimming, but perhaps you could try some of those waterproof organizers that are made for the purpose, and carry the absolute minimum you can get away with.  I try to do anything possible to minimize the risk of theft...and have backup systems in place just in case--and then just cross my fingers, say a prayer, stop worrying, and enjoy my travels.

[GizmoTX]

I wear a travel vest with inside zippered pockets instead of carrying a purse or bag. If you are sleeping & not in a secure place, your passport & money should be on you somehow & concealed.

[flyingaway]

If you stay at a low budget hotel, do you carry your passport and money with you or do you put them in your luggage, assuming you have a room for yourself? Currently, I tend to carry passport and money with me when I go out.

[lizzzi]

+1 for the travel vest. (Are we talking ScotteVest, I assume?) I always wear mine on the plane, and pack my cross body purse in the carryon. (I never check luggage.) I agree that if you are going to be sleeping where the situation is not totally secure, your valuables should be on your person and not in a purse. Also, in an emergency such as the British Airways plane had on the runway in Las Vegas, you can run for the exits knowing your valuables are with you., and not in some bag that you'll have to leave behind.

My only quibble with the ScotteVest is that it is very casual looking and frankly, has so many pockets that I can't remember what is where. I've refined my wearing technique to limiting myself to only 3 or 4 pockets--otherwise I can't find anything. I am keeping my eyes open for a vest that has fewer inside pockets and is a little more generic and versatile...that doesn't look like I'm going on Safari. And that doesn't scream "tourist", of course.

Passport and money are never, ever left in my luggage.

[GizmoTX]

Yes, Scottevest, in black. I think it's less casual looking & much more secure than the typical travel vests that have major pockets on the outside & look like fishing or photographer vests. I usually don't fill every pocket & don't switch items around so I can find them, but having the extra pockets has come in handy. I love being hands free while touring & not having to worry about a bag.

[PhilB]

Way back in the 1980s, when travelling in South America, I used to use a pouch designed to be worn around the neck, but I sewed on a couple of Velcro straps and wore it on the inside of my calf when wearing long trousers.  Seriously freaked a security guy at Caracas airport who asked for my passport as he'd missed it when he patted me down. When I got back to Heathrow and produced my passport the response was 'Jesus!  Where the hell have you been travelling!'
For swimming, I'm afraid I fell back on the old standby of under the mattress in the hotel room.

[lizzzi]

Yes, Scottevest, in black. I think it's less casual looking & much more secure than the typical travel vests that have major pockets on the outside & look like fishing or photographer vests. I usually don't fill every pocket & don't switch items around so I can find them, but having the extra pockets has come in handy. I love being hands free while touring & not having to worry about a bag.

+1

[CATman]

Take photos of all your important documents and upload them to a cloud based storage service like dropbox or Google drive. That way even if everything it taken you can go online and pull up a copy.

[M2 pilot]

Neck wallet works well for me.   If you carry currency in you pockets, wrap a couple of biggish rubber bands around it, makes it more difficult for pickpockets to remove.

[arebelspy]

Take photos of all your important documents and upload them to a cloud based storage service like dropbox or Google drive. That way even if everything it taken you can go online and pull up a copy.

Make sure they're encrypted though, so even if that account is "hacked*" the uploaded file is useless.


*Or any related issue, social engineering, phishing, etc.

[deborah]

Take photos of all your important documents and upload them to a cloud based storage service like dropbox or Google drive. That way even if everything it taken you can go online and pull up a copy.

Make sure they're encrypted though, so even if that account is "hacked*" the uploaded file is useless.


*Or any related issue, social engineering, phishing, etc.

You can just send them to your gmail... account. No real need for a drop box or a cloud.

[arebelspy]

You can just send them to your gmail... account. No real need for a drop box or a cloud.

You could. If you do that, make sure they're encrypted though, so even if that account is "hacked*" the uploaded file is useless.


*Or any related issue, social engineering, phishing, etc.

[flyingaway]

I just scanned my passport and uploaded it to my MSN e-mail account.

I bought a small pouch that could be put inside the clothes. Go to Costa Rica in March. Plan to bring two credit cards & two debit cards, sufficient US dollars for food and transportations, but will try to use credit cards and debit cards first. Hotels have already been paid.   

[use2betrix]

What about your luggage/pack? Do you take them with you everywhere? I'm hoping to plan a 1-2 month Asia trip in the next year and I'm wondering about my main pack on a daily basis. I assume nothing is safe to leave in a hostel room, even if it's private? Other than obvious passport/cash/cards, my concern may be more laptop/camera I may not always want to bring with.

[flyingaway]

What about your luggage/pack? Do you take them with you everywhere? I'm hoping to plan a 1-2 month Asia trip in the next year and I'm wondering about my main pack on a daily basis. I assume nothing is safe to leave in a hostel room, even if it's private? Other than obvious passport/cash/cards, my concern may be more laptop/camera I may not always want to bring with.

I have been to some SE countries, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. But I did not stay in really cheap hotels. I left my luggage (with laptop) in the room. In rare cases, when I went out for a day trip, I would ask the front desk to keep my passport and wallet.

[limeandpepper]

First of all I would get travel insurance, and go for accommodation that seems secure, with reviews that indicate that safety is not an issue. My partner has one of those Pacsafe wire mesh things that can be secured to a heavy object. I like to diversify the risk by keeping some things on me, and some things in the room. It is always possible to have stuff stolen or taken from you, whether it is on you or in your room. My travels are mostly in the Asian region and - I guess partly due to caution and partly due to luck - my experience so far has been fine in terms of these concerns, and I've stayed in places that are like $3/night.

[JoJo]

I travel with a heavy combo lock & a cable lock with loops.  I do often lock my passport and money in my large  backpack with this setup, locking it to a piece of furniture.  I then cover this lock thing up with a towel so it's not so obvious.  The only way into this combo is if someone slashes your bag.  From alot of past stories I've heard, most of the time stuff stolen from the hotel is an inside job and they do it in a manner that's not leaving evidence (like taking some but not all of the money, even from safe deposit boxes, or just taking things that aren't locked).  I am not a fan of the 3 digit combo locks that are prevalent for TSA, etc.  The codes can be cracked within 10 minutes (I've tried it!)

When I transfer from city to city I use a money belt in case of robbing.  I also carry a decoy wallet that has my $ for that day & an expired card.

On a long trip I rolled up a 100 dollar bill, wrapped in saran wrap & duct taped in a hidden compartment in my larger bag.  I never had to use this but figured if someone nicked my passport & all cards that $100 might be enough to get to the embassy.

[flyingaway]

I travel with a heavy combo lock & a cable lock with loops.  I do often lock my passport and money in my large  backpack with this setup, locking it to a piece of furniture.  I then cover this lock thing up with a towel so it's not so obvious.  The only way into this combo is if someone slashes your bag.  From alot of past stories I've heard, most of the time stuff stolen from the hotel is an inside job and they do it in a manner that's not leaving evidence (like taking some but not all of the money, even from safe deposit boxes, or just taking things that aren't locked).  I am not a fan of the 3 digit combo locks that are prevalent for TSA, etc.  The codes can be cracked within 10 minutes (I've tried it!)

When I transfer from city to city I use a money belt in case of robbing.  I also carry a decoy wallet that has my $ for that day & an expired card.

On a long trip I rolled up a 100 dollar bill, wrapped in saran wrap & duct taped in a hidden compartment in my larger bag.  I never had to use this but figured if someone nicked my passport & all cards that $100 might be enough to get to the embassy.

I like your ideas of $100 bill for emergency and decoy wallet.

[arebelspy]

I travel with a heavy combo lock & a cable lock with loops.  I do often lock my passport and money in my large  backpack with this setup, locking it to a piece of furniture.  I then cover this lock thing up with a towel so it's not so obvious.  The only way into this combo is if someone slashes your bag.  From alot of past stories I've heard, most of the time stuff stolen from the hotel is an inside job and they do it in a manner that's not leaving evidence (like taking some but not all of the money, even from safe deposit boxes, or just taking things that aren't locked).  I am not a fan of the 3 digit combo locks that are prevalent for TSA, etc.  The codes can be cracked within 10 minutes (I've tried it!)

When I transfer from city to city I use a money belt in case of robbing.  I also carry a decoy wallet that has my $ for that day & an expired card.

On a long trip I rolled up a 100 dollar bill, wrapped in saran wrap & duct taped in a hidden compartment in my larger bag.  I never had to use this but figured if someone nicked my passport & all cards that $100 might be enough to get to the embassy.

I like your ideas of $100 bill for emergency and decoy wallet.

I used to love, and utilize, tricks like this too.

Now?

Well, it's like I said in my first reply to this post, you learn not to worry about it.

99.9% of the world is totally safe.  And it's very likely you won't be in the other 0.1%.  Even if you're off the beaten tourist areas, you'll be very safe.  Yes, be smart, don't have your money hanging out of your pocket or whatever, but the overcaution is quite unnecessary.

You're MUCH more likely to lose money to a scam, or overpaying, or that sort of thing, than you are to be robbed or pickpocketed.

If you lived in Chicago, or Miami, or whatever, and were taking a weekend trip to Disneyland in LA, would you use a money belt?  If you lived in Boston, and were taking a trip to NYC to see Times' Square and the Empire State Building, would you take an extra hidden stache, or fake wallet in case you got mugged?

If so.. alright.  I mean, ultimately, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. 

But if you find that idea silly, as I do, it should be the same basically everywhere else in the world.  Be cautious, but not paranoid.  Extra precautions--beyond your normal level of comfort--aren't any more necessary when visiting Madrid or Istanbul than they are when visiting Seattle or Houston.

My point is that the world is safe, and you should get out and enjoy it, not worry about little things like the tiniest percent change someone steals your wallet.

:)

[nnls]

I travel with a heavy combo lock & a cable lock with loops.  I do often lock my passport and money in my large  backpack with this setup, locking it to a piece of furniture.  I then cover this lock thing up with a towel so it's not so obvious.  The only way into this combo is if someone slashes your bag.  From alot of past stories I've heard, most of the time stuff stolen from the hotel is an inside job and they do it in a manner that's not leaving evidence (like taking some but not all of the money, even from safe deposit boxes, or just taking things that aren't locked).  I am not a fan of the 3 digit combo locks that are prevalent for TSA, etc.  The codes can be cracked within 10 minutes (I've tried it!)

When I transfer from city to city I use a money belt in case of robbing.  I also carry a decoy wallet that has my $ for that day & an expired card.

On a long trip I rolled up a 100 dollar bill, wrapped in saran wrap & duct taped in a hidden compartment in my larger bag.  I never had to use this but figured if someone nicked my passport & all cards that $100 might be enough to get to the embassy.

I like your ideas of $100 bill for emergency and decoy wallet.

I used to love, and utilize, tricks like this too.

Now?

Well, it's like I said in my first reply to this post, you learn not to worry about it.

99.9% of the world is totally safe.  And it's very likely you won't be in the other 0.1%.  Even if you're off the beaten tourist areas, you'll be very safe.  Yes, be smart, don't have your money hanging out of your pocket or whatever, but the overcaution is quite unnecessary.

You're MUCH more likely to lose money to a scam, or overpaying, or that sort of thing, than you are to be robbed or pickpocketed.

If you lived in Chicago, or Miami, or whatever, and were taking a weekend trip to Disneyland in LA, would you use a money belt?  If you lived in Boston, and were taking a trip to NYC to see Times' Square and the Empire State Building, would you take an extra hidden stache, or fake wallet in case you got mugged?

If so.. alright.  I mean, ultimately, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. 

But if you find that idea silly, as I do, it should be the same basically everywhere else in the world.  Be cautious, but not paranoid.  Extra precautions--beyond your normal level of comfort--aren't any more necessary when visiting Madrid or Istanbul than they are when visiting Seattle or Houston.

My point is that the world is safe, and you should get out and enjoy it, not worry about little things like the tiniest percent change someone steals your wallet.

:)

I agree with this! I use a normal handbag/purse when travelling. I do keep a spare card in another location in my suitcase just incase, as at home I would easily be able to get another card issued but this is harder overseas but other than that, just normal precaution

[The_path_less_taken]

I've always thought money should be hidden or camo'd to look like something no one would willingly touch.

So: for families, valuables should be put in a plastic bag with "dirty diapers" on it....that brown stuff could be chocolate pudding, but no one is going to sift thru it for the hidden Ziploc of goodies inside.

For women: razor slit a Tampax open and roll some hundreds inside one, glue it shut and then put a 'bloody' (ketchup) fingerprint or so on the outside....beyond gross, no one will touch it.

For whomever: in your hotel room a handful of tissue in a wastebasket with what looks like ick on them (ketchup/whatever) means no one will paw thru it. Same thing with a half eaten cup of Ramen or whatever: anything in a Ziploc is safe inside what looks like half-eaten food.

AS LONG AS THERE'S NO MAID.

[arebelspy]

For whomever: in your hotel room a handful of tissue in a wastebasket with what looks like ick on them (ketchup/whatever) means no one will paw thru it. Same thing with a half eaten cup of Ramen or whatever: anything in a Ziploc is safe inside what looks like half-eaten food.

AS LONG AS THERE'S NO MAID.

Yeah, that seems dangerous.  :D

[flyingaway]

I used to love, and utilize, tricks like this too.

Now?

Well, it's like I said in my first reply to this post, you learn not to worry about it.

99.9% of the world is totally safe.  And it's very likely you won't be in the other 0.1%.  Even if you're off the beaten tourist areas, you'll be very safe.  Yes, be smart, don't have your money hanging out of your pocket or whatever, but the overcaution is quite unnecessary.

You're MUCH more likely to lose money to a scam, or overpaying, or that sort of thing, than you are to be robbed or pickpocketed.

If you lived in Chicago, or Miami, or whatever, and were taking a weekend trip to Disneyland in LA, would you use a money belt?  If you lived in Boston, and were taking a trip to NYC to see Times' Square and the Empire State Building, would you take an extra hidden stache, or fake wallet in case you got mugged?

If so.. alright.  I mean, ultimately, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. 

But if you find that idea silly, as I do, it should be the same basically everywhere else in the world.  Be cautious, but not paranoid.  Extra precautions--beyond your normal level of comfort--aren't any more necessary when visiting Madrid or Istanbul than they are when visiting Seattle or Houston.

My point is that the world is safe, and you should get out and enjoy it, not worry about little things like the tiniest percent change someone steals your wallet.

:)

I agree that 99.9% of the world is as safe as in the US. The problem, as someone just pointed out, is that it is much more difficult to replace money and passport in a different country.

[arebelspy]

I agree that 99.9% of the world is as safe as in the US. The problem, as someone just pointed out, is that it is much more difficult to replace money and passport in a different country.

Sure.  My point is, you almost never have to.

Be smart, use common sense, but no need to be paranoid or go to ridiculous extremes.

[katstache92]

I use a cross body under my clothes type bag when I'm out and about.  I think I picked it up at Marshall's?

I do not have a good solution for swimming.  I tried snorkling while "watching" my bag on a deserted part of the beach but I was so distracted by watching the bag I didn't really get to enjoy myself.  The next day I let someone at the dive shop lock up my passport but then I got antsy that he was going to leave and I would be passport-less.

Sounds like I need to relax a little bit next time.

[nnls]

I use a cross body under my clothes type bag when I'm out and about.  I think I picked it up at Marshall's?

I do not have a good solution for swimming.  I tried snorkling while "watching" my bag on a deserted part of the beach but I was so distracted by watching the bag I didn't really get to enjoy myself.  The next day I let someone at the dive shop lock up my passport but then I got antsy that he was going to leave and I would be passport-less.

Sounds like I need to relax a little bit next time.

When you are home and swimming do you leave your wallet ect on the beach while you swim?

[katstache92]

I normally leave my wallet locked in my car and bring minimal cash, if any, with me.  I don't need to keep any important docs with me.

If I'm at the beach, same thing - wallet locked in the car.

At some point I read that you should keep your passport with you when traveling - maybe that's not true anymore.

[HenryDavid]

In 30 years of budget travel I've never had an issue. Mainly I just avoid drawing attention to valuables.
Passport and wallet zipped in an inside windbreaker pocket, hanging on a hook.
Or in a nondescript bag under a pile of towels on a beach. And so on.

All the same, having a backup of your passport info, carrying minimal cash and only one card at a time, just makes common sense.

[Slowdown]

I do not care too much because I just work with backup systems:

2 ATM cards from different banks, 2 credit cards from different banks, 1 passport (+ photocopy of it), 1 ID-card.
I always leave one set in the big luggage (no cash of course) and carry one with me. Except when going to the beach with almost nothing on - then I keep it in the room, in the safe, at the reception, whatever they have.
Another backup system is my Onedrive-account. I keep scans of my documents in the cloud.

I do not carry much cash but have a credit card with which I can withdraw any amount of cash (also very small sums) without any fee.

But I must confess, that I feel better when I have the possibility to check my accounts every few days (online) to assure that there are no irregular things going on...

[JoJo]

I agree that 99.9% of the world is as safe as in the US. The problem, as someone just pointed out, is that it is much more difficult to replace money and passport in a different country.

Sure.  My point is, you almost never have to.

Be smart, use common sense, but no need to be paranoid or go to ridiculous extremes.

I don't think my suggestions are ridiculous extremes.

I've been almost robbed at least twice - once someone trying to swipe my bag and once by someone threatening with knife.  I have met dozens of other people who have been robbed, or theft from hotel rooms.  My precautions only take a couple minutes a day of securing my stuff so why not take those precautions?

[robartsd]

You're much more likely to be the target of scam or robbery if you look like a tourist and or have obvious valuables with you. If you've master the art of traveling like a local and avoid drawing attention to any valuables you may have with you, the world is indeed safe the vast majority of the time.

[Kriegsspiel]

Other than simply not caring about it, like ars suggested, there are surely more frugal ways to safeguard money than BUYING a vest, or BUYING a moneybelt. You could pack it in some condoms and swallow them, for instance. C'mon guys, let's get creative here.

[flyingaway]

Last August in Cancun, my wife and I were on a boat day trip to a private island (something like Sunrise Cruise). She put her cell phone on the sand while sleeping on a hammock. When she left the hammock and walked to the boat, she remembered that she forgot to pick up the phone. She immediately returned to the beach and could not find the phone (about 5 minutes). She reported the incident to the crew and they did not even bother to announce this on their loudspeaker. Note that that is a private island, all people there were either the tourists on the same boat (lots of locals) or the service people. I was surprised that nobody returned the phone. (I called the phone, it was answered but no talking).

Losing a cell phone is not a big problem, losing a passport would be a big problem.

[LeRainDrop]

Situation:  34-year-old female.  Going to a beach vacation alone.  Will be near other tourists and such.  Staying a few minutes away from the beach.  Will be in a foreign country.  Cannot legitimately "look" like a local.

Dilemma:  When going to relax at the beach -- Bring any cash?  Bring cell phone?  Bring Passport?  What to do with those valuables when I want to take a few minutes getting my feet wet in the ocean?

Initial thoughts:  When going to the beach just to relax, I should probably take like $20 of cash and my cell phone for safety.  (I wish my phone were a cheapie for this purpose, but it's an iPhone.)  Will have a good safe in my accommodations, which are also in a gated community, so I feel fine leaving valuables there.

(Also, am I crazy to bring a (work) laptop to use while at "home" in the condo with wi-fi?)

Thanks!

[arebelspy]

I'd bring a few bucks, pin it inside your suit.  If you want to bring your phone, throw it in a zip-lock bag for water proofing, and just hold it when you go to dip your feet in (money can go in that bag too if you are bringing that).

IDK that having a cell phone makes you any "safer"--it'll be middle of the day, at a beach?  I don't know what country, but most places you should be perfectly safe.  Strong lungs to scream will help you more than an iPhone if anything happened.

If you're renting out the whole condo, why not bring a laptop?

If it's your first time, go ahead and be a bit paranoid, to make you feel better.  You'll laugh at the silly precautions later.  :)

[LeRainDrop]

I'd bring a few bucks, pin it inside your suit.  If you want to bring your phone, throw it in a zip-lock bag for water proofing, and just hold it when you go to dip your feet in (money can go in that bag too if you are bringing that).

IDK that having a cell phone makes you any "safer"--it'll be middle of the day, at a beach?  I don't know what country, but most places you should be perfectly safe.  Strong lungs to scream will help you more than an iPhone if anything happened.

If you're renting out the whole condo, why not bring a laptop?

If it's your first time, go ahead and be a bit paranoid, to make you feel better.  You'll laugh at the silly precautions later.  :)

Thanks for all the tips, arebelspy!  This is very reassuring.  I've traveled abroad several times, but this is the first time totally alone.  I've done a quiet Florida beach trip alone, no problem, but I'm a little more concerned since it's the Dominican Republic, I haven't been there before, and of course the State Department website has made me a little paranoid :-)

[Leisured]

Many good ideas here. Many years ago I had an old nylon shirt, very thin, and cool. I cut off the collar and sleeves, shortened the shirt, and out of the spare material I had a tailor make two large shirt front pockets with tabs. I wore this nylon shirt under a normal shirt, and nobody knew I was wearing two shirts. I put my passport, cards and cash into plastic sandwich bags, to keep perspiration off them, and put them in the large pockets on my nylon shirt, under the normal shirt. The nylon shirt became a singlet.

[flyingaway]

The cloth material of the pants under the belt has some empty space that could be opened. I used to insert some large value cash inside there, when I was young and traveling in tough areas. It could hold a few hundred dollars for emergency.   

[shadowmoss]

I have used a smallish waist pouch with a water proof ziplock to hold my passport and money while swimming.  There is a specific brand of guaranteed waterproof to 30M ziplock that you can buy, but I forget the name and I'm at work so can't check.