How safe are valuables in budget hotels?

Gator says on Dec 3, 2007, 19:22:

Not very-unless they have a "safe" room you are skating on thin ice. Do not trust the in-room safe, if there is one. IKf you do not need it don't risk it.

BTW You are nuts not to do periodic backups. Try an I-pod type if you feel you need those items.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

RJQuilla says on Dec 3, 2007, 19:30:

Leave the laptop at home. Those are big stuff down south, very expensive. Better than getting ur feeling and pocket hurt.

miamimike says on Dec 3, 2007, 19:41:

Agree with the other two posters---If you cannot afford to lose it, don't bring it! Budget Hotels aren't the only hotels where Items go mising. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security just by Price of a Hotel alone. A Friend's Son stayed in Cali and had over 2 Grand lifted out of the Hotel safe. The Hotel was a Large Upscale chain type,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Man Tequila says on Dec 3, 2007, 20:13:

Some hostels and cheaper hotels have excellent security and others do not. If not saying in a hostel or budget hotel with several on-line reviews, you have no idea what it will be like and probably can't assume things will be safe, especially if you use them conspicuously. But I do know several places in Colombia which are cheap and where I would trust the security.

You can back up photos at an Internet cafe and music on an I-Pod. Why you need a laptop?

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

la campiña says on Dec 3, 2007, 20:30:

not as safe as high budget hotels, keep it in your sock.

scotty says on Dec 3, 2007, 23:44:

the high end hotels are ok, they have a safe system.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

miamimike says on Dec 4, 2007, 00:19:

Scotty--did you see my Post? A friend's son had 2 Grand lifted out of the Hotel safe so High end doesn't equal 100% security by a long shot,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

el flaco says on Dec 4, 2007, 01:03:

I have a very lightweight padlock to lock my zip. No one will remove a suitcase. It's obvious if the case has been tampered with so the staff wouldn't risk it. I would never use any safe but I am quite happy to leave a suitcase in their care while I travel.

Adanimal says on Dec 4, 2007, 03:14:

I'd use the laptop because I'm a writer....that's why..I'd just be pissed if I lost things on it. I also know they place where I would be staying my buddy brought his laptop and nothing happend. We tipped the maid very well everyday (it helped that she was good looking too!). I don't know if the same people will be doing the maid service though.

You don't know your there until your there!

droble77 says on Dec 4, 2007, 10:29:

Well if you're too "lazy" to run a backup, DON'T bring it. And remember there's other ways for you to lose data besides having it stolen, what if it gets bumped around a bit on your travels and the hard drive starts going bad?

If you need your laptop because you're a writer. . . well, you're asking for trouble if you don't do frequent backups. I like to bring mine because I like the convenience of connecting to the internet and checking email (and using Skype) right from the place I'm staying. I ALWAYS do a complete data backup before traveling, besides some other security protocols I have.

Chances are nothing bad will happen to you but it is Colombia and it's better to be prepared to mitigate the pain of any loss from theft or something nasty that happens.

Osamayor says on Dec 4, 2007, 10:50:

Some places has special luck of security. Which city of Colombia you will go?

Lujoso apartamento o cuarto a un razonable precio a solo dos cuadras de la Embajada Americana. Luxury apartment or rooms with cheap rates only 2 blocks from US embassy welovebogota.com

la campiña says on Dec 4, 2007, 10:54:

leave your stuff with me, no realy ha ha

dwmte7 says on Dec 6, 2007, 07:10:

that's kind of an oxymoron....safety and cheap hotels. some times your stuff isn't safe in expensive hotels. it's like the guy said, "...trust GOD, but tie your camel."

dwmte

miamimike says on Dec 6, 2007, 09:20:

dwmte7---on the Camel--LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

dwmte7 says on Dec 6, 2007, 09:31:

i dunno, mike....is it age and memory lapsing, or is the age just bringing out the dummy who's always been there? please explain, 'on the camel?'
douglas

dwmte

Lowell says on Dec 6, 2007, 10:37:

Don't ever bring anything that would put you out if gone.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

Lowell says on Dec 6, 2007, 10:41:

I learned that when someone stole one of my mothers rings when we came to visit family my 1st Christmas here with the wife. Best I can figue is a boyfriend of one of her sisters took it. With the help of the sister, I may never know. The family didn't do squat to investigate the theft. Kind of instilled a good warm fuzzy feeling about them on my 1st visit.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

manINred says on Dec 6, 2007, 10:52:

Mate...

Do not trust leaving your stuff in rooms. I have had money stolen 3 bloody times. Perhaps more. It is so annoying. They only take a small amount, like half of what you have, in the hopes that you just won't notice. It's so angering.

The third time it happened to me, I got enraged, the poor dude was a bit taken-aback. He gave me back half of what I had stolen, and I was happy enough with that.

Keep everything of value in the hotel safe.

aztec says on Dec 6, 2007, 12:13:

On one of my first visits I stayed at a hotel used by the U.S. Embassy. It was not one of the upper class ones, rather moderate but clean. They would put up people who were here on short time assignments.

The very first morning there was a helluva racket going on at the desk. Seems equipment (camera's) left with the desk for safe keeping was stolen. The Embassy immediately moved all personnel out of the hotel and canceled the contract.