I think my suggestions pertain to safety:
If taking local transportation (non-tourist class), don't keep valuables in visible view - ie. don't keep your camera around your neck, keep your moneybelt underneath clothes (not above). Be careful with your ipod or any electronics, as if you fall asleep with them on - they might be snatched before you wake up.
don't leave valuables around in your hotel room, Try to have a backpack with lockable zippers (vs. a drawstring toploading backpack).
Avoid being trying to get off the beaten track too much (though this depends how confident you are and what you really want to see. I'm sure this statement will be contradicted by many). It has been known that people in La Paz attempting to get a better view of the city wandered out into the outlying areas and got mugged.
Try to keep your money spread around (keep some in your shoe, etc) so that if you get mugged, its not a big deal.
Avoid carrying a wallet around with your cards. I found that keeping a small change purse with less than $20 in it was helpful. If you do get mugged, you can give them that and not be that worse off.
Walk with confidence and keep your eyes straight forward rather than nervously looking around. If you look uncertain, you are an easy target for vendors and other people who want your attention.
Keep photocopies of your passport and other important documents online and on you so that if things get stolen, its easier to get a new passport.
It might be easier if you keep a smaller backpack that will be allowed onto the bus rather than stored below or above. If its too big, you have to check it and its hard to keep an eye on it especially when the bus stops every five minutes and people get on and off.
It looks dorky, but keep your backpack in front of you (wearing the straps on the front) especially in crowds so that you can tell if someone's trying to get into your bag).
Carry small keyrings, safety pins or mini-com locks to lock up your daybag. While this won't prevent a professional thief, this does deter a petty thief who's trying to get into your bag without you noticing.
Bag slashing is something that I've heard about (but never happened to me nor my friends). Always carry a shoulder bag that has sturdier straps (so its not as easy to slash) and never carry anything valuable in it that could get emptied if your bag was slashed.
Bottom line: don't bring anything that you would be incredibly sad if it got stolen (this even pertains to a watch or jewellry). Things that we carry around (that we take for granted) can easily equal a farmer's half-year salary.
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