Litza
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 11-17-2006
Location: Auburn, WA
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Passport Q's
I know, another newbie question...I am just days away from my flight to Loreto and I am not sure what would be safest/best regarding my Passport.
I imagine I may need it for my entry into the country, but will I need it at all during my stay? Or just when I depart?
Is it best to carry the document with me, or in general is the hotel a safe place to leave it? I am staying at La Pinta, which I understand now is the
Desert Inn.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Maybe the room has a safe, if not, the hotel safe????.....I always make color copies of my passport, drivers license, visa card and atm card and keep
the copies seperate from the original documents when I travel.
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tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
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Mood: There yet?
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Unless the room as a small safe or the desk, keep it on you. I have never had a need for it, but they are a valuable fenced item....and what a pain
to replace when lost or stolen.
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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It is best to carry your valuables with you on your person when traveling and if you lose them in transit then you know you can replace them. Make
copies and put these somewhere like a secure email account (yahoo) with electronic scans plus carry copies with you in your baggage that you actually
show. Truly you never need them, ever, but it is beeter they are with you and if lost or stolen they can be replaced for low cost. The point is to
know when they are lost and report it immediately. Don't use the room for valuables, in baja it is safe but in many places they will take what they
can from the room.
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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Mood: Bajatastic
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As others have said; I also carry my passport with me.
I use a hidden pocket/money belt. Usually it holds my passport, credit cards, and most of my money.
Almost as important.. if not more so. I carry a small coin purse.. about 2 1/2" x 3". (You can buy one for about 20 to 30 pesos) I carry most of my
coins and daily spending money in the coin purse. I can fold up bills and they fit fine.
At the begining of each day.. I "give" myself a certain amount of money for the day. My "budget" for the day goes into the coin purse.(what is left
over from the previous days is beer money!)
If someone holds me up. I will open the coin purse.. full of bills and change.. hand it to the theif, and then run. (Someone told me about this
trick years ago.. essentially.. overwhelm the thief with a roll of 30 one dollar bills..(It's will look like a lot of money) then run before they
realize it's only $30.)
I've never had to do it.. but I think most crooks would be happy with purse full of coins and bills.. even if it is only $60 usd or so..
Also it keeps you from digging into your main moneybelt in public(which you should avoid if at all possible) and keeps you from spending too much on
beer.
I've traveled for years in Mexico.. often alone on the buses. I've only been mugged, shot at, and robbed here in the US. I've never had a problem
anywhere in Mexico, so you should be fine. Just don't let valubles sit around out of your sight/control if you don't want them to walk away without
you. Relax; but, stay alert and you will be fine. Good luck and have a great trip.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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your passport isn't as important as you think...
copy it..
treat it like you would you wallet or your drivers license
it's easly replaced
i'd be more worried having something taked here in So California than there
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Litza
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 11-17-2006
Location: Auburn, WA
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Thanks for your words of wisdom Nomads! I purchased a belt to tuck away my valuables while on foot in and around Loreto. They sure are fashionable,
eh? At least I'll have an excuse for one of the rolls near my belly!
I'll make copies of important docs as well.
I have also acquired a little change purse to keep my daily allowance, but who's counting...vacation time is nearing!
Just about 60 hours left and I'll be boarding a plane from soggy Seattle to Baja
[Edited on 2-21-2007 by Litza]
[Edited on 2-21-2007 by Litza]
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