I'm a little worried about muggings etc...has anyone been to Southern American countries and have any advice for me as to whether I take my camera or not? Am leaving beginning of February.
Reply to this Hi Amy,
I travelled Peru last year with a Nikon DSLR and had no problems. Just keep it in a rucksack out of sight, with you, when you're not using it.
Stew
Reply to this I wouldn't go anywhere without my camera...its often the reason I travel. Just be safe and either have your camera on you or locked in a place where no one can get it. When walking around with the camera be sure to have it strapped to you and have one hand on it to be safe. Don't walk close to the street (e.g. walk on the inside of the sidewalk, as people have been known to use motorcycles to snatch cameras and then drive off.
Sounds scary, but it really isn't. I've traveled in over 40 countries and never had anything stolen because I was careful!
Mike T.
Reply to this AMY----In 2009 we took a 35 day cruise that included stops on both the east side and west side of South America thus we stopped at all the major ports. Our travel agent had warned about the problems we could have such as losing our cameras and muggings. I should have know better as I doubt the agent had ever been very far from the office. I carried my Nikon D80 everywhere I went and I also had a Panasonic camcorder. Not once on our cruise did I ever hear of a report of stolen property or mugging. The only repeat issue was some passengers trying to take fruit ashore and every one of them got caught and fined $200. There are places that you will go in South America that you need to know what's going on around you. Just use common sense. Don't take a $5000 camera into a dingy bar in one of those countries, but you would not do that in your home country---would you? Keep your equipment close to you and use your straps, either around your neck or to your wrist. Don't ask strangers to take your picture. Don't leave your equipment lying around even for 5 seconds. If anyone is watching it becomes "the target".Always know where you have been, know where you are , and know where you are going. Don't look like a lost and confused tourist and you be fine.
Reply to this Thank you for that Texaswillie! Really appreciate everyones support and am glad everyone has said what they've said...it's a bit of a relief. I've taken out decent (I hope) camera insurance with Glover & Howe also to cover me when I'm away and I'm glad I've done that, mainly for my own piece of mind.
Take care
Reply to this Amy---when you get to South America please post some of your photos as we would like to see interesting places that we perhaps missed last year. Have a great time!!
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