The money topic

[divezonescuba]

I've often thought about getting a cheap mini motion activated cam for when I travel, just to add another level of protection - or at least accountability. If nothing else, I'd throw it in the safe for when I'm traveling with a bit of cash. I've had something similar happen at a casino hotel. Unfortunately, no hard proof.

We know a guy whose regulator was likely stolen out of his room by a pool guy who had been admiring it the previous day. The resort initially refused to even give him a report for his insurance. He finally got the report by refusing to leave the doorway of the shuttle on the way to the airport.

Since then, I have thought about using a charging cube with an internal camera in the bathroom where we normally keep our gear.

 

[Gdog]

We know a guy whose regulator was likely stolen out of his room by a pool guy who had been admiring it the previous day. The resort initially refused to even give him a report for his insurance. He finally got the report by refusing to leave the doorway of the shuttle on the way to the airport.

Since then, I have thought about using a charging cube with an internal camera in the bathroom where we normally keep our gear.

I'm going to buy something with an internal camera for next time, just need to do my due diligence in research.

 

[loady]

I’ve tried to use a credit card in every country I’ve travelled in for purchases over $100 equivalent , even if I pay more. In Asia, Europe, North, South and Central America that worked. Hopefully it will work in South Africa. I took a Galapagos trip 20 years ago. Booked it in Quito Equador. It was a hassle and more expensive to use a credit card but I did it for the dispute ability. Is that not possible in the bay islands in 2022? I’ve kept a few hundred USD and a debit card well hidden as emergency money only. Traveling with large amounts of cash is dangerous and risky anywhere in my opinion. even in USA! I’d need at least a ten percent discount to pay for large purchases in cash.

 

[Endler's]

If you're going to carry a wad of cash, why not in one of these?
(Bolt snap on belt loop, on land.)

DRYFOB
Posted question on Amazon; and Jessica N., rolled 25 bills into one. (Manufacturer suggests 50 notes.)
Even if it flooded, U.S. Dollars dry out and spend fine.

 

[loady]

I don’t know what that is. And why carry wads of money rather then plastic?

 

[ScubaBackpacker]

So, after visiting other locations over the years I finally got my wife to check out Roatan. Suffice to say, we are returning for the second of many longer stays. We will be staying at West End for the month of March, then a couple weeks on Utila. Ive read about the ATMs being a bit sketch...and that the one at the gas station in West End is the safer option, and that it disperses lempira, which makes sense. First question, what is the daily limit amount on withdrawals?
Secondly, for a decently longer visit, as cash is king, do folks actually bring down 4, 5, 6, thousand in cash or what is the best way to handle the cash issue once there? I really don't feel good about transporting huge amount of cash while staying in a resort, but am concerned about having to pull from an ATM. Id love to avoid the fees for using a credit card if and where ever possible.
Advice? How do you all handle this?
Thank you in advance!

Don't take large amounts of cash with you. I had $2,000 in cash taken from my room by a hotel employee
in one of the nicest hotels on Utila. From experience, it's not worth it - take a smaller amount of cash and pay the credit card fee.

 

[kelemvor]

Get a Charles Schwab account. You don't need a brokerage account. I transfer $3 to $4 k from my bank to the card a week before we leave and use like a debit card wherever we go. There are no foreign transaction fees and they refund any bank fees. Works great

Fidelity also does this or so the website says. I haven't put it to the test yet.

 

[Gdog]

Don't take large amounts of cash with you. I had $2,000 in cash taken from my room by a hotel employee
in one of the nicest hotels on Utila. From experience, it's not worth it - take a smaller amount of cash and pay the credit card fee.

While I agree with you, the credit card fees are not the issue at all. The reason for taking cash is because there are only 2 atm machines, and the chances of being skimmed is very high. Especially the one by the Rio grocery store. The other one we ended up using twice, its inside the convenience store. Having your credit stolen in a foreign country is much more of an issue than international credit card fees. Probably next time we will split the difference, still take a decent amount of cash, and chance the atms a bit more. Just a gamble. But so is carrying cash.

 

[Gdog]

Fidelity also does this or so the website says. I haven't put it to the test yet.

Yes that is a great idea, Ill likely do that. However, there are plenty of places that only take cash, and that only in small untorn unmarked bills. As usual, its a mixed bag. But that is in fact a great idea to limit the potential exposure to credit card theft.

 

[tridacna]

Fidelity also does this or so the website says. I haven't put it to the test yet.

I have. 100% correct.