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There’s no place in the world that you can go to that doesn’t have some level of crime.
That being said, despite being a safe vacation destination, there are things that you have to watch out for when visiting the Mexican Caribbean.
Typically it’s more petty crimes that tourists are faced with, but now tourists are being warned to protect their passports, as thefts in the Mexican Caribbean are on the rise.
How Often Passport Thefts Occur
Although you probably don’t hear about it very often, passport thefts occur more than you probably think.
In the state of Quintana Roo, where popular vacation destinations like Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen are located, they happen about six times a month.
That number rises even higher sometimes during the busier seasons.
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Why It’s So Important To Protect Your Passport On Vacation
Losing your passport or having it stolen when you’re on vacation in another country can cause a myriad of problems.
Not only are you losing a form of identification, but your ability to get back to your home country.
Furthermore, if your passport ends up in the wrong hands you could wind up having your identity stolen as well.
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Common Mistakes To Avoid So You Don’t Lose Your Passport
Many times, losing a passport is a result of making mistakes that are more common than you think.
One mistake to avoid is putting your passport in the seat pocket on the airplane.
Since you use your passport at the airport, it’s not hard to make the mistake of taking it out of your pocket and putting it in the seat pocket while you get settled in, but you could end up forgetting it.
Another common mistake to avoid is carrying your passport somewhere that it can easily fall out without you noticing, like your back pocket for example.
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Where To Keep Your Passport While Visiting Another Country
Once you arrive at your destination you don’t have to carry your passport around with you if you have other identification that you can use.
It may be better to leave it in your hotel room so that you’re less likely to lose it.
If you’re going to leave it there, though, it’s important to keep it in a safe place, like a hotel safe or even a small lock box that you bring yourself that you can keep in the room.
Tips For Protecting Your Passport When Carrying It
If you are going to carry your passport with you you’ll want to keep it protected from thieves, and from losing it.
Using a passport cover can keep it hidden so that people with bad intentions can’t see it.
It’s also a good idea to carry your passport in either a passport holder that you can wear around your neck, a fanny pack, or a crossbody purse or bag.
What To Do If Your Passport Is Stolen
In the very unfortunate event that your passport is lost or stolen, you’ll need to take immediate action so that when it’s time to go home you can get on the plane.
First, if it was stolen, you’ll want to locate a police station and report the theft.
Then you’ll want to locate the closest embassy for your country to start the process of getting a new passport, or a certificate that’s used in the case of emergencies that will allow you to return home.
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Why You Should Carry Copies Of Your Passport
While a copy of a passport won’t do any good as far as getting you on your plane to return home, it can come in handy.
Passport copies can help facilitate the process of replacing your passport if it is lost or stolen.
You should keep several copies, but not all in the same place, and even send one to yourself or a trusted family member in an email.
This way you’ll have it if you need it.
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