Travel Tip 55
How to protect from pickpockets
I’m in Paucartambo today (July 14th) and will be dealing with lots of crowds. It’s hard to focus on the experience and taking photos and also be aware of pickpockets.
My top three tips for protecting yourself from pickpockets.
1. Pay attention to your surroundings.
When you’re in a crowd, whether that’s in the street or on public transportation, pay attention to the people around you. If somebody is too close when they don’t have to be, try to move away. If you’re squished into a crowd, keep your hand on your wallet and phone, or tuck them into an inside pocket that isn’t accessible to pickpockets. In all the countries I’ve been to and on all the public transportation I’ve taken, the only time I’ve been pickpocketed was in the bus in Cusco.
Crowds at night are an even bigger opportunity for pickpockets because it’s easier to melt away into the night.
2. Carry valuables in inner pockets or bags.
Now that fanny packs are back in style, and people are calling them waist bags and belt bags, you should get one. I wear mine slung over one shoulder and relatively tight up under my armpit so that by just clamping my arm tight to my side I can keep anybody from opening the zipper. If I only have my walled and phone in it, it’s flat enough to wear under a coat. If I’m walking home late at night or if I’m in a crowd, I put my coat on over so it’s not even visible.
If you have too many outer pockets on your backpack, put the rain cover over it, even when it’s not raining.
This may seem obvious, but make sure your pockets and bags are zipped closed. It’s amazing how often I see people walking around Cusco with pockets or even bags hanging open. In all the countries I’ve been to and on all the public transportation I’ve taken, the only time I’ve been pickpocketed was in the bus in Cusco. It was because I didn’t zip closed the pocket that had my phone in it. (That was 2019 and I have been much more careful since then).
One of the best ways to protect your backpack and everything in it is to keep the rain cover on all the time.
3. Leave stuff at home or in the hotel safe.
This also might also seem obvious, but I’ve accidentally taken all my credit cards and passport with me when I should have left at least one card and my passport in the hotel safe. If somebody ever gets away with my bag or wallet, I want to have at least one card as backup.
Also, get travel insurance.
After the pandemic, more people started paying attention to getting travel insurance for medical emergencies, but make sure that your travel insurance also covers theft. I have SafetyWing and it covers me for everything I need, wherever I go.
Public transportation can teach you a lot about the places you’re traveling - but watch for pickpockets.
Article
I wrote this article for World Nomads to help travelers use public transportation in Peru – safely.
Inti Raymi is amazing for anybody interested in Inca history and culture, but it’s also an opportunity for pickpockets.
Blog
Inti Raymi, Cusco’s Biggest Festival
The biggest festival, with the biggest crowds, and therefore the most pickpockets, is Inti Raymi. I didn’t manage to write a blog about Inti Raymi 2024, so this is my 2023 blog. It’ll still give you an idea of how important Inti Raymi is and why the crowds are so overwhelming.