7 Ways to Avoid Robbery When Traveling

Security is a big thing when traveling, especially for the “Over 65” travelers.  I just watched a video picked up by Yahoo on “How to keep your valuables safe while on holidays.”  It addressed how hotel staff takes advantage of tourists and rob them.  I want to tell the other side of the story.

I have spent many years traveling and even living in Mexico.  The first time we drove down (1998), we didn’t find anyone who spoke English for two weeks.  We stayed in a number of small hotels whose main concern for tourists was to have safe drinking water and no cockroaches. In some of the places we visited there were children who would sit and listen to us speaking.  They had never heard English before.

Halfway through our trip, we got an hour and a half away from one hotel and I realized I’d left my passport and money pouch tucked under the mattress.  It was a quick trip back followed by the explanation in my “spanglish.”  The hotel manager took me to the room, where the bed was already made up for the next guest.  The maid would have seen it when she made the bed but she left it there and told the manager, hoping we’d return.  Not a thing was missing!  I tipped an American $20 (4 days wages for a maid) for all of them to share.  Two of the staff were in tears and I almost was too!

I’d never been robbed in Mexico until 5 years ago.  There is always a first time for everything.  My first (and last) 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 average $7 to $8 per day in wages in the large resort cities in Mexico.  In the smaller ones the wages are often less, especially for the maids. 

In order to feed their families, it requires extra income from some source.  The honest ones work 2 and 3 jobs and really count on their tips. The thieves find robbing vacationers an easier way to make extra money.  They don’t usually last long before being caught. Mexican are a proud culture that doesn't appreciate thieves ruining their reputation anymore than we do.

The place I am currently staying at is the oldest Mexican Hotel in Puerto Vallarta.  It’s very traditional with friendly staff.  Our regular maid, El Vira, has a great personality with a wonderful smile. 

A Swan - compliments of El Vira

Since I’d never stayed here before I was cautious the first couple of days and made sure I felt secure.  It didn’t take long to relax.  I began tipping El Vira 20 to 30 pesos every couple of days.  It's not much but makes a big difference to them.  After being here a week, she displayed her talents folding towels.  We’ve enjoyed a collection of elephants and swans around the suite.  I feel completely safe with our regular maid.  We know what her day off is, so we don’t get the room done that day.

I make sure I tip well in the restaurant too. and it's great because it  doesn't take long to get constant good service with a smile.  I also try really hard to use my limited Spanish.  Before long they are confident enough to practice their limites English with me. 

7 Ways to Avoid Robbery When Traveling 
1.Get to Know People
Staying safe and secure in a foreign country is about building relationships.  Whether you are visiting for a week or 6 months, take the time to know those around you.

2.Use the safe

Many Mexican hotels have a safe in each room or one at the front desk.  Personally I prefer having one at the front desk.  They are like a safety deposit box set up.  Make sure you lock up your valuables and even your not so valuable items.  When I got robbed 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.

3.Make sure you lock your door

Hotel security can check the computer in all-inclusive and newer hotels 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. In older hotels, you are responsible for your key.  Don’t lose it.  It can be expensive to replace it.  When you leave the hotel to do some site-seeing just give the key to someone at the front desk.

4.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.In an older hotel, check that there is motion light or lights in the dark corners of the balcony or hallway and they are working.

5.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.

6.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.

7.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.

Hosteling Around the World

"Youth hostels are not just for the young" remarks Ruby Cooper, a solo traveler. “I’m a traveler. I may be young at heart, but I’m anything but years young. My AARP card is wrinkled and worn. My current passport has six pages and three years left. So far, I’ve visited thirty countries, Not that I’m counting, but it’s my frequently asked question.”  

Back around circa 2000BT ( before texting ), my friend who works for United Airlines gave me a buddy pass for Christmas. ” You can go anywhere in the world you want.” Anywhere? Whoa! I chose Thailand. It was my first time in Asia, but definitely not the last. 

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to me, it was Chinese New Year.  Apparently, the Chinese don’t celebrate their New Year for a long weekend, regardless if it’s a dog, rooster, ox, or sheep year, they keep up the festivities for weeks.  Bangkok must be on their celebration route. While i was trying to figure out were to go, a Canadian couple I’d met walking off the plane said they were going to Singapore. As it turns out, I, too, could go there if I wanted. “No, problem, Singapore, Miss, seats available,” said the sweet, Japanese desk clerk.

It was one or two o’clock in the morning when we landed, but Ellen went to a pay phone. Using her budget travel guide-book, and advice on how to use the phone, from a friendly guy passing by, she found us a hostel, the first of many for me. The hostel consisted of several rooms above an Indian restaurant in the Hindu part of town. My small room had two twin beds, but I was the only occupant at the time, a door, and a balcony that looked over the main street. The well-worn sheets had a Mickey and Minnie Mouse pattern. The pillow was a hard lump; the mattress slightly fluffier than the floor. The shared bath was huge. Several toilet stalls sans doors, or seats lined the wall. Each had a bucket of water in the corner with a large spoon or ladle. The trick was to dip it into the water to wash oneself after.well, you know.

On a small table near the balcony door in my room was a wicker basket with a sheet of paper, pencil, and a small bell. A wooden chair sat next to it. Upon further inspection I realized the paper was a menu. All I needed to do was check off the stuff I wanted and drop the basket down from the balcony and the food would be sent up to me. I love room service! The problem was I didn’t recognize the food. I would learn soon enough. For the moment , I sat on the little chair and watched the street vendors set up for the day. I was happy. The room cost about 6.00 US dollars a day.

Since then I have stayed in many hostels around the world. They vary wildly according to culture, price, and comfort, but compared to hotels, for independent travelers, they are inexpensive and much more interesting. In a hostel you get the latest skinny from backpackers on places to eat, buses, routes, sights on and off the beaten path, and nightlife. If you are traveling alone you usually can find someone to share expenses on local day tours and taxis. It’s likely you will find friends for traveling and even life.

Many hostels have private rooms and bath, but most people sleep dormitory style in bunk beds. Breakfast may or not be included, but usually there is kitchen where guests can store and cook food, and a common room with one or two computers, a TV, video games or movies, a bar, and maybe a pool table. There might be bikes to rent, and tours at reasonable prices, city maps, and local advice. The Hospedaje Golondrinos in Iquitos, Peru had lovely, warm water pool.

Through the years I have adopted a few methods for convenience and privacy. I pack a few sarongs, a couple of 8-10 foot cords, and a package of plastic and metal clips designed for paper, but the triangle inside allows me to slide the clip along the cord. I tie the cord from end to end along the top of my bunk, and hang the sarongs as curtains. I also carry an extension cord. It’s invaluable for charging phones and laptops where there is only one outlet across the room or on busses. On some busses the outlet is up above the seats in the back of the luggage rack. I run the cord along the top and down the side, hooking it with the clips on the curtain line.

As there are everywhere, there are thieves in hostels. I never leave my small pack with iphone, pad, money & passport out of my sight. On busses, these things go under the seat ahead of me or under my  feet-NEVER above, out of sight. On my last trip one of my favorite sarongs was stolen. It was irritating, but not crucial to the trip.

There are many sites on the internet for hostels. I use Hostelworld.com most of the time, but Tripadviser.com and hostelbooking.com are popular. This allows you to read the reviews of travelers-and we are an honest lot. The main gripe these days is wifi & water, and cleanliness. The last few years we’ve seen an out break of bedbugs in motels in America and Europe, and although I’ve heard of them in hostels, I haven’t had the experience. Ask. Don’t be shy. Are water and wifi reliable and available 24/7? Wifi might just be available in one room, or not at night. The same with water. I personally hate cold showers so the water will make or break the deal for me no matter how cheap the bed is.

Ruby

All this aside, what makes a hostel exceptional is the staff and the people you meet. Many young folks ignore me. I understand. Who wants to hang out with someone who could be your grandmother. Fortunately there are those who appreciate having a person with a different perspective and stories to tell. I’ve taught yoga in hostels and cooked big pots of delicious soup, but mostly I’ve learned from the youth. A few weeks ago I was joined in my morning yoga routine by a Martial Arts Master/Teacher from France. We each learned some new moves. The photos are from some of my favorite hostels during the past two years in Brazil and Peru.

I can’t wait to visit some of the folks I met on my trip: Ireland, Italy (Tuscany), South Korea, England, and of course, back to Peru.

To see Ruby's fabulous pictures of her recent trip to Peru and read other articles, go to www.rubycooper.com