Just read the graffiti wall so I'm a bit spooked. Sure, I get that we need to use the money belt, etc., but how do we protect luggage in our hotel/B&B/hostel? Is the room safe a good enough place for money and passport/documents- and what about all the other stuff like camera equipment that may have been left behind in the room? When should a person use the main hotel safe? ALSO... we are driving a rental car which I understand is a "moving tourist announcement"- and at times en route we will have to leave lots of luggage (there's 5 of us) in the minivan (no trunk)while we visit something along the way. I need advice please!
When you leave your luggage in the parked minivan while you're visiting a sight, do what you'd do in the US: take with you anything vital that you cannot afford to have stolen.
In a hostel, use a backpack lock and keep your stuff in the locker. Petty theft in hostel dorms is all too common.
I've never had a problem in my hotel room. I don't take a lot of valuables to start with (digital camera and now a GPS are the only expensive things). If the room has a safe, use it for valuables. If not, the lobby should have a safe for your valuables (they might charge something to use it).
Even with a rental car, one carry on only keeps you safer. Your visibility is better so you're less likely to back into a post. Luggage above the window line is unfortunately an invitation to thieves. Try to find safe places to park (well lit, not a lot of loitering, no broken glass sparkling on the ground).
For room safekeeping, there are Pacsafe locks and straps to put around your bags. www.pacsafe.com