Tourists urged to hide valuables in unusual items to avoid being robbed on holiday
Many people leave their money, phone, passport or other valuables in their hotel room, but there is a better solution to avoid worrying while on holiday.
Travelling with money can be a constant worry while on holiday, but there are a few simple ways tourists can protect themselves while in a foreign country.
It is often recommended to keep your valuables in a safe or drawer in your hotel room, but these can be the most obvious places that thieves will target if they are trying to steal from tourists.
Claire Sturzaker, the founder of the travelling website Tales of a Backpacker has shared that holidaymakers should think outside the box when it comes to hiding money but always keep it on their person.
She said: “Hiding money on your person is probably the safest way to carry money abroad. I prefer to keep my money close to me, so usually hide it somewhere in or under my clothes so it is close to my body and as far away from sneaky hands as possible.”
However, Claire has also suggested that the best way to avoid being robbed or pickpocketed on holiday is to hide your money in unusual places such as decoy items disguised to look like a sunscreen bottle or other items thieves will not look twice at.
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Claire said: “This diversion safe is disguised as a (large) sunscreen bottle and could be useful for hiding money at the beach as it is large enough to fit in a phone, credit cards and money.”
Fake sunscreen bottles with hidden compartments can be bought online at stores such as Amazon, but you can also try using a fake water bottle.
Claire said: “I always carry my Water-to-Go bottle with a built-in filter to keep me hydrated while I’m travelling, but I’m very tempted by one of these water bottles with a hidden compartment.
“They would add extra weight and bulk if you’re hoping to pack light, but it could be a great way to keep cash and cards safe while travelling.”
Other items with hidden compartments which you can find online are deodorants, boxes of tissues, hair brushes and even hair scurries for smaller items.
Claire said: “The key is to find something lightweight and small that isn’t going to take up unnecessary packing space in your luggage.”
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For other valuables that you cannot have with you, Claire has said there is no guarantee people will not find them but there are a few hidden spots in hotel rooms many thieves will not think to check.
She said: “Places where you could hide money in your belongings include inside socks, shoes, or toiletry bags or tucked away in a discreet pocket within your suitcase.
“In a hotel room, you could tape money to the bottom of a drawer so it isn’t easily spotted, or inside a pillowcase.”
However, the best way to keep money or other valuables safe is to be cautious and try not to have all your prized possessions in one place.
Claire said: “Instead of keeping all your money in one place, divide it into multiple locations within your luggage or personal belongings.
“This strategy ensures that even if one location is compromised, you won’t lose all your funds.”
