Securing Valuables during Out-of-town races?
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Iron Dan posted 43 weeks ago.
That’s a good question. The first thing to consider is, how nice of a hotel are you staying at? The nicer the hotel, the safer your stuff will be in a room safe typically.
I have always left stuff that has irreplaceable sentimental value at home when I travel out of the country. I would suggest that you leave the wedding rings at home, Not having them for the week or so you are going to be gone is much better than losing them for good.
With things like passports, I typically leave them in the safe in the hotel room. I would not bring it with me to transition. I would say the odds are much greater of it getting taken there, than out of a safe in a hotel room.
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brittda posted 43 weeks ago.
When I was young traveling in college and after, I always kept my passport with me (in a money belt). Now that I stay at better hotels with a safe, I tend to keep it there, or with the front desk(they will all typically have a safe). I would not leave it sitting in the room however, but that is just me. Other than Id for checking in for the race you will have no need for the passport. Typically you wont have a need for it anywhere if traveling with a cc and a debit card. The only time you would need it if cashing a travelers check and even that is not done often any more, since all your banking needs can be done with your debit card.
I have been with family on 3 sepparat occasionsin Europe where purses/wallets were pick pocketed so tend to be careful. I dont want to have to worry about getting a new passport when I could be having fun. Places like Canada however, I just lock in my bag, since I could still probably talk my way over the border still.
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BigGus posted 43 weeks ago.
Make several photocopies of your passport and travel itinerary. Scan your passport into your computer. Email a copy of your passport along with your travel itinerary to someone you trust at home, keep your copies with you while out and about in Mexico, and leave your original passport in the hotel safe. Should your passport be lost or stolen, either use your hard copy or have your friend forward the email to the local American Embassy. Note, you can also register your trip online with the local American Embassy.
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
Have a great race!
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brittda posted 43 weeks ago.
BigGus;79921 wrote:
Make several photocopies of your passport and travel itinerary. Scan your passport into your computer. Email a copy of your passport along with your travel itinerary to someone you trust at home, keep your copies with you while out and about in Mexico, and leave your original passport in the hotel safe. Should your passport be lost or stolen, either use your hard copy or have your friend forward the email to the local American Embassy. Note, you can also register your trip online with the local American Embassy.https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
Have a great race!
oh, yes, I do that too. On the same note I also keep 2 extra passport photos (you can get them cheap at Costco) with the xerox copy of the passport...to be kept sepparte from the actual passport of course....yes I am neurotic.
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Tamara posted 43 weeks ago.
Thanks for the tips, all! I used to work for the State Dept, so general international travel stuff I'm okay with since I've traveled regularly. I've just never done "active" travel before, other than a quick run or something at the end of a work day, so have never had to deal with leaving stuff behind in the hotel for hours at a stretch. I appreciate everyone's advice!
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan
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theShiba posted 43 weeks ago.
From my own experiences in tourist Mexico, I think that you are going to feel quite safe leaving stuff in your hotel room. When I was in Puerto Vallarta, I forgot to put my passport in the safe several times, and left it on the table in the room. Not once did I worry about it, and it was never moved from where I left it. I am sure that any place you stay in Cancun is going to have a safe in the room though, so you won't have any problems with that.
Hope you have an awesome time!
We're leaving Wed for Cancun 70.3. Have never competed internationally before and have a question about securing valuables. When you do the actual race, do you leave your passport, extra cash, etc... in the transition area with your stuff or do you trust the safe in your hotel room?
Typically I take any "valuables" with me if I leave the hotel room, but not sure if stuff will be more secure there or in transition. I'm even contemplating leaving my wedding rings at home for the same reason.
guidance or thoughts? thanks!
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan