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I've done a lot of traveling in and around Latin America. One time I slipped up and temporarily put my passport along with a couple other items in the side pocket of my duffle/carry on bag on one trip to Costa Rica. Waiting in San Jose for a taxi with my girlfriend several people in passing cars looked and pointed at me but nothing registered in my puny brain. Some A-hole stole my passport out of the pocket. Oh well, a minor inconvenience. I hope he enjoyed smoking it up with the 100 bucks or so he got for it as he missed out on the 2000 that was right beside it. Whenever I carry one of those bags I always have the zippered side pocket towards me but that time I was tired/wasn't thinking and had it facing out. Easy pickins for a thief in a crowded city.
I usually separate everything when traveling and like to wear jeans with deep front pockets and a pocketed shirt or usually when going to a casual place such as Costa Rica I wear shorts that have several pockets with zippers/buttons/velcro so I can put some bills in this one, more bills in another one, credit cards and more bills in another and license and a few more bills in my now very thin wallet. It's worked well for me. When I'm settled in and go out I put a few bills in my wallet along with 1 credit card (you never know) a license, and a photocopy of my passport info page and stamped entry page and go about my way. Simple, no problems and if there would ever be an issue, they aren't getting much!
I don't like to have anything showing in my pockets so keeping it thin is the way to go. That can be difficult in country's were it takes a bunch of bills to equal just 1 dollar. Or coins with a value of about 20 cents are the size of old school US dollar coins.
Speaking from experience... Don't be afraid to ride the metros but remember the metros are often packed and tourists are busy trying to be sure they know where they need to get off and not watching their pockets. The platform is just as bad. If underground, you will come up the stairs and will be on the sidewalk with no real idea of where you are or which direction you need to go...it all looks strange so you stop to get your bearings and people will be coming at you from all directions. If someone targets you while on the metro they might follow you up to the street because they can get away faster. They will work in pairs. Stay aware and watch to see if you are being followed. Our experience ended OK because a couple police officers were going down the stairs as we were going up and recognized what was going on.
Didn't even read the article further, couldn't bear it. I've been many times in that city and I find it extremely safe. Was that some article as a warning to stupid American tourists?
You are right, I've never been pickpocketed in Barcelona.
Of course, as any heavely touristic city (since 92), all tourists go to the same spots..so all the thieves.
But I believe that the problem was partially solved by "harassing ROM and Bosnian pickpokets"....
They are arrested 300 times, but what they do now is tag them, or send them to not so tolerant cities.
I don't know how they do that.
Merchants and shopkeepers also warn prospects.
Since pickpockets belong to international rings, when they fall, the whole thing goes down.
Plus, now with all the security...
I was around tourist areas a few days ago, I did not see pickpockets.
European tourists don't really use credit cards abroad AKAIK. In the EU, it's more commonplace to pay with cash still. Using a card for payment is a predominantly American habit
Paying with cash is very rare unless you are biying trinkets, and you might get into trouble with the IRS is the purchase is expensive.
Many people are baying with their mobile phome.
European tourists don't really use credit cards abroad AKAIK. In the EU, it's more commonplace to pay with cash still. Using a card for payment is a predominantly American habit
The one advantage of travelling in winter is that you can stick your wallet in the inside pocket of your coat.
And I don't get why some people put their wallets in their back pocket, putting the potential for pickpocketing aside, isn't it uncomfortable to sit on?
Didn't even read the article further, couldn't bear it. I've been many times in that city and I find it extremely safe. Was that some article as a warning to stupid American tourists?
Only inexperienced travellers even get identified as tourists. Ok, it's a bit harder like in Thailand, but just act as the locals and the "pickpockets" think you're an expat.
Of course if you have your wallet in your back pocket, you deserve to be robbed. I might rob you just to teach you a lesson.
wow, you must be lots of fun to hang out with.
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Whenever I carry one of those bags I always have the zippered side pocket towards me but that time I was tired/wasn't thinking and had it facing out. Easy pickins for a thief in a crowded city.
lol 
