6 Ways to Avoid Robbery in All-Inclusive Resorts

6 Ways to Avoid Robbery in All-Inclusive Resorts

By Susan Gerle

I have spent many years traveling and living in Mexico.  I’d never been robbed until a couple of years ago.  There is always a first time for everything.

My first robbery occurred at an all inclusive resort.  99% of the staff at the resorts are honest but there is always the 1% though that can’t be trusted no matter where in the world you travel. I personally feel the reason for robbery in an all-inclusive resort is the huge monetary distance between the staff and the customers.  Most servers and housekeepers are averaging $7 to $8 per day in wages in the larger resort cities.  In the smaller ones the wages are often less. 

In order to feed their families, it requires extra income from some source.  The honest ones work 2 and 3 jobs. The thieves find robbing vacationers an easier way to make extra money.

6 Ways to Avoid Being Robbed:

1.Use the safe

Most all-inclusive hotels have a safe in each room, or should have.  Make sure you lock up your valuables and your not so valuable items.  I left a couple of pieces of Mexican jewelry lying in the bathroom that went missing. I imagine the items were easily resold.  The camera that was sitting on the table went missing too, yet the charger that was in the suitcase was still there.  Obviously it was a “line of sight” grab.

2.Make sure you lock your door

Hotel security can check the computer and determine who has accessed the room and at what time.  Every staff in housekeeping has an employee card that registers on the computer.  Every time you enter the room it is recorded.  If the door isn’t quite latched when you leave it won’t register on the computer.

 3.Lock the patio doors

Most all-inclusive resorts have balconies.  Check and see if your balcony is easily accessible to the one next door and keep it locked.  We figured that someone possibly came into the room next door, climbed over the balcony, and then left through our door.

4.Immediately report to security

If your door isn’t latched when you return, have a look around and then report to security.  Even if something isn’t missing at the time, the thieves may be planning a heist.

5.Let the tour company representative know right away

If you traveled down on a vacation package, let that person know immediately so they are aware and can help you with the paperwork if necessary.

6.Check your insurance policy before you leave home

It’s a good idea to know what you are and aren’t covered for before you leave home. For instance, if you have just purchased you camera on a major credit card, it may be covered by the credit card company.

It’s a nuisance if you are robbed because there is lots of paperwork to do. The hotel security will check your room out thoroughly. Don’t expect any compensation from the hotel though because they really believe in personal responsibility.  That doesn’t mean they won’t be sympathetic.  It just means they look at things differently.

If they happen to catch the culprit though they will definitely take care of the problem and in a much harsher way than in other North American countries.