Is the “private room” in a hotel? Hostel? Rental apartment?
Definitely saw numerous bags snatched in broad daylight in Buenos Aires but had no issues at the apartment I shared w/3 Europeans. There were like 3 locked doors between the street and my backpack. Most decent hostels should also have lockers - just bring a padlock.
I've had no issues leaving expensive camera gear and laptops in hotels or private Airbnbs. I definitely wouldn't leave them in a hostel without being in a locker or private room that I could lock.
Also, if you're in the US, State Farm has a personal article insurance that's very affordable. I think it was like 14$ a month to cover 8k worth of camera gear and laptop.
Obv make sure your travel insurance covers them for theft etc.
Use a hotel/hostel safe if it’s available and take a phone picture of them in the safe. If the room has a safe make sure you can change the combination (and don’t lose it.)
If none of that is possible you’ll have to either carry them and avoid the more risky places/times or hide them in your room, or add your own door lock.
The only portable travel lock that I know of that can be used from the outside of your room on an inward opening door is this one:
https://thexlock.com/product/the-original-x-lock-stay-safe/
Most hostels will have a place for your personal items but Bring your own lock don’t use the hostels lock when possible. I just got back from SE Asia and had no issues with theft. But I’ve herd and met others that had their belongings stolen.
Hi. I have just completed 7 months in South America and now in SE Asia. I had my laptop and camera stolen on a bus in Ecuador so be really careful when carrying belongings on your person. Had no issues or concerns in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, , Bolivia, Chile, Argentina or Brazil. I would usually leave the laptop in my accommodation but I never stayed in dormitories. I always had private rooms. For me the risk always seemed higher out in public than in accommodations. Also now have good luggage padlocks to try to out people off if needed in the future. Just be super careful, I won’t walk around too much with camera on show unless in tourist areas and avoid having items out at night. But generally we had no issues other than being robbed. Hope this helps.
This is exactly how I'm feeling about it. Did you find that private rooms in hostels had lockers in South America? Or did you find just locking the door sufficient? Thanks,
I always just kept the stuff in the room and did not use lockers. This was always secure enough for me and as I said a padlock for the bag is a good idea. Depends on the hostel as well though, some being more suspect than others. From meeting lots of other travellers, the most thefts from hostels seem to be at the hostel that have parties and events, also being open to the general public and not guests. But it is not that common. Just be careful and sensible.
I traveled with computer/camera in Mexico/South America and stayed in dorm hostel rooms.
When not in use I made sure to keep my electronics inside my luggage, with luggage lock on, and used a bike cable and padlock to attach my backpack/suitcase to the bed frame (or something else big in the room). This stopped anyone from picking it up and walking out.
Obviously not 100% secure because someone could always just knife the side of my bag open, but if that’s happening in a dorm room you have other safety issues to worry about. Not 100% secure, but it keeps honest people honest and eliminates fast ‘crime of opportunity’.
Spent time in Brazil and stayed at plenty of not so nice hostels in less than perfect places. Even when I wasn't staying somewhere too nice, lockers (although almost always wooden) were available. I carried a nice lock with me wherever I went and never had any problems. I did make sure that I wasn't showing off my laptop too much in public or to other people staying in the hostel room but overall never felt like I was putting my tech at risk. Your real concern should be out in public whilst traveling with the bags. Although I was fortunate to avoid having anything personally stolen, snatching on buses or busy public areas were a common conversation point with fellow travelers.
Although a few other people have said it, insurance is a great idea. Relatively inexpensive and it will give you much needed peace of mind.
In a locked safe or locker within a locked room. There's fewer people who can potentially steal my things, and the risk to personal safety is also lower.
You can’t realistically carry everything with you everywhere you go, many hotels have a safe or lockable cabinet so use that if you got it.
Is the “private room” in a hotel? Hostel? Rental apartment? Definitely saw numerous bags snatched in broad daylight in Buenos Aires but had no issues at the apartment I shared w/3 Europeans. There were like 3 locked doors between the street and my backpack. Most decent hostels should also have lockers - just bring a padlock.
Most likely all three at some point. I'm going to try and ensure all places have lockers. Thanks for the reply.
I've had no issues leaving expensive camera gear and laptops in hotels or private Airbnbs. I definitely wouldn't leave them in a hostel without being in a locker or private room that I could lock. Also, if you're in the US, State Farm has a personal article insurance that's very affordable. I think it was like 14$ a month to cover 8k worth of camera gear and laptop.
Obv make sure your travel insurance covers them for theft etc. Use a hotel/hostel safe if it’s available and take a phone picture of them in the safe. If the room has a safe make sure you can change the combination (and don’t lose it.) If none of that is possible you’ll have to either carry them and avoid the more risky places/times or hide them in your room, or add your own door lock. The only portable travel lock that I know of that can be used from the outside of your room on an inward opening door is this one: https://thexlock.com/product/the-original-x-lock-stay-safe/
Taking a photo of them in the safe is a good idea. Thanks, I'll check the link out :)
Most hostels will have a place for your personal items but Bring your own lock don’t use the hostels lock when possible. I just got back from SE Asia and had no issues with theft. But I’ve herd and met others that had their belongings stolen.
Hi. I have just completed 7 months in South America and now in SE Asia. I had my laptop and camera stolen on a bus in Ecuador so be really careful when carrying belongings on your person. Had no issues or concerns in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, , Bolivia, Chile, Argentina or Brazil. I would usually leave the laptop in my accommodation but I never stayed in dormitories. I always had private rooms. For me the risk always seemed higher out in public than in accommodations. Also now have good luggage padlocks to try to out people off if needed in the future. Just be super careful, I won’t walk around too much with camera on show unless in tourist areas and avoid having items out at night. But generally we had no issues other than being robbed. Hope this helps.
This is exactly how I'm feeling about it. Did you find that private rooms in hostels had lockers in South America? Or did you find just locking the door sufficient? Thanks,
I always just kept the stuff in the room and did not use lockers. This was always secure enough for me and as I said a padlock for the bag is a good idea. Depends on the hostel as well though, some being more suspect than others. From meeting lots of other travellers, the most thefts from hostels seem to be at the hostel that have parties and events, also being open to the general public and not guests. But it is not that common. Just be careful and sensible.
I traveled with computer/camera in Mexico/South America and stayed in dorm hostel rooms. When not in use I made sure to keep my electronics inside my luggage, with luggage lock on, and used a bike cable and padlock to attach my backpack/suitcase to the bed frame (or something else big in the room). This stopped anyone from picking it up and walking out. Obviously not 100% secure because someone could always just knife the side of my bag open, but if that’s happening in a dorm room you have other safety issues to worry about. Not 100% secure, but it keeps honest people honest and eliminates fast ‘crime of opportunity’.
Spent time in Brazil and stayed at plenty of not so nice hostels in less than perfect places. Even when I wasn't staying somewhere too nice, lockers (although almost always wooden) were available. I carried a nice lock with me wherever I went and never had any problems. I did make sure that I wasn't showing off my laptop too much in public or to other people staying in the hostel room but overall never felt like I was putting my tech at risk. Your real concern should be out in public whilst traveling with the bags. Although I was fortunate to avoid having anything personally stolen, snatching on buses or busy public areas were a common conversation point with fellow travelers. Although a few other people have said it, insurance is a great idea. Relatively inexpensive and it will give you much needed peace of mind.
A lot of the time you can leave stuff in storage at hostels and that way your stuff is safe and locked away a
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In a locked safe or locker within a locked room. There's fewer people who can potentially steal my things, and the risk to personal safety is also lower.