Money Safety

There’s a lot to consider when planning a trip to a foreign place, and safety should be top of mind. I’ve spent six months living in Colombia, everywhere from little beach towns like Santa Marta to the big cities like Medellín and Cali. I’ve also lived in Mexico and Guatemala and traveled to Cuba with Vive Más Tours several times. In all these travels, my valuables and I have always stayed safe and together. Here are my top travel tips for making sure that you and your belongings also stay safe while on the move.

1. Don’t carry too much cash.

Colombians have a saying that goes “No de papaya” which translates to “Don’t give papaya”. It means “Don’t flash your wealth and give people the opportunity to take your valuables”. You can keep from “giving papaya” by not taking out a big wad of cash to pay for an arepa on the street, for example. I usually only have 50,000-200,000 COP ($12-$50 USD) on me and leave the rest of my money locked in my suitcase (by which I mean shoved into the bottom of my underwear packing cube). I also try not to wear flashy jewelry or have my phone out on the streets.

2. Turn on as many alerts for your travel cards as you can.

My bank credit card sends me a notification every single time it gets used, so if someone steals my credit card, I will know on the first transaction. This is an excellent way to shut down theft ASAP, but if your bank doesn’t have this option, there are other ways to stay vigilant about unauthorized use. I recommend checking your recent transactions at least once a week while traveling and afterward to check for anything suspicious.

photo of a hand holding a phone showing a bank balance

3. Make sure you have access to the bank accounts you’re traveling with.

I don’t mean tell your bank you’re traveling- I mean make sure you can view and manage your bank account while abroad. Ensure you can log into all the bank accounts for the cards you’re traveling with. This will enable you to freeze your card if you need to or review transactions for suspicious charges. If you’re not bringing a computer to Colombia, this means making sure you or your travel partner can access these bank accounts on your phone. I recommend logging into the mobile app while you’re still in the States if you’ve never used your bank’s mobile app before.

4. Keep your ATM withdrawal limit and bank balance low.

In the States, I don’t have any limits set for my daily spending- a wild trip to Target could cost $300! But while I’m in Colombia, I cap my ATM withdrawal limit at the lowest number I think is manageable- about $150 a day for me. This way if someone steals my card, at least they’re not getting a painfully high amount before I’ve had the chance to act. I also keep my (travel) debit card balance artificially low for this reason. I never have more than $1000 accessible on my travel debit card at one time, even if I have more than that in other bank accounts.

Woman in a bus station in Mexico with a red fanny pack and a suitcase — Me and my favorite red fanny pack for traveling, in a bus station near San Miguel de Allende, MX

5. Avoid clutch purses.

On the first day on my own in another Latin American country, I was walking through the local market with my leopard clutch in hand when a kid bodychecked me- hard. I nearly dropped my clutch, which was the whole point. Luckily, I didn't drop my clutch with all of my IDs and credit cards, and I realized that it’s better to have your valuables in things that are harder to quickly take from you. Jenny (Vive Más Tours’ President) loves the anti-theft bags that Sherpani makes. If you buy Sherpani, you can get 25% off in-store by mentioning that you’re traveling with Vive Más Tours. I have a favorite red fanny pack like this that I wear when I travel (although friends swear by Nomatic’s slightly bigger and more upscale sling). If you elect to wear a backpack, I recommend adding some anti-theft zipper protection and/or wearing it on your front, koala style.

6. Choose the right ATM.

You want to pick one in a well-lit area, preferably away from the street and inside a store/airport. Ideally, you go with friends and take an Uber back (or it’s just a short walk to your hotel). The most important is not going to the ATM at night- wait until daylight to visit an ATM.

Tour participant and our Colombian guide, Luis, talking over coffee

The Best Precaution: Local Guide

Traveling in a group with a trusted local guide is the safest way to go. Your guide can help keep an experienced eye out for trouble and traveling in a group will also naturally discourage crime. On Vive Más Tours experiences, we also arrange private transportation with trusted local drivers for every stretch of the journey, so you don’t have to worry about climbing into any unknown taxis. Plus, all our itineraries are designed with safety in mind. We don’t risk staying in dangerous neighborhoods and our travelers don’t have time to participate in the club/drug/dating scene that gets so many tourists in trouble in Colombia.

We’re the experts on international travel and we want to share our tips and tricks with you- for your tour to Colombia, Cuba, or wherever else life takes you. If you have any questions about safety regarding a trip to Colombia or Cuba with Vive Más Tours, you can email me directly at Rachel@vivemastours.com. We’re happy to answer your call too, at (720) 778-0089. \

Safe travels!

-Rachel & Jenny