Ripoffs and Theft in Spain

I have been to Spain, mostly in the Andalucian region and never had any problem. I've made some great friends and they've been very helpful. As in any other place, be careful with your belongings when you're in public transportation, bus, underground, etc. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the city; check the transportation system, bus, underground; eat at the restaurants where the locals go. Absorb as much of the local culture to enjoy your vacation. Buen viaje!

It is unfortunate you had those experiences. We spent a month travelling throughout Spain last year and had nothing but wonderful experiences.
We saw no indication as you suggest that "crime in general seems to be an issue in Spain."

We did have some wonderful experiences but the one time we attempted to interact with the locals as Rick advocates we got burned. The number of people at the Consulate and Police Stations was sad testimonty as to the extent of the crime.

After this event we stuck to one restaurant right next to our hotel and they were wonderful and the food was the best we had, so not all was bad.

(Ps. my Spanish improved markedly when having to deal with the aftermath).

I'm sorry your experience marred your vacation. But I agree that I don't think that "crime in general" is an issue in Spain, particularly. There may have been a lot of people at the police station, but that's no different than police stations in any large city. Thanks for the warning, though, about the scams you encountered.

Andy, be interesting to know which locals you were trying to interact with. Hopefully not the guy running the pea game. I think Rick means the true locals -- the shop keepers, some street vendors, etc. Contacts that you initiate and not the reverse.

I know I sound like a broken records but I ask that you be cautious in taking your bad experience and expanding it to cover everyone and everything. We have spent 300+ days in Europe with never a problem. Were in the south of Spain over New Years, have been in Barcelona twice and will be there again this September. Have never seen the bug dropping or mustard scam. But I also make very sure I know who is getting close to me.

I don't think you can make the point that crime is any worse in Spain than in other parts of Europe. Petty theft is problem so one just needs to be prepared with simple precautions. A recent Interpol report said about 1 and 4 Americans have theft problems which is substantial especially if you are the one but also, 3 in 4 do not have problems.

Better luck next time. And you probably will be better prepared. Experience is a great teacher.

"Crime in general seems to be an issue in Spain and if they plan to make a successful bid to host the 2016 Olympics, they had better clean up their act."

I don't know about Spain, Andy--we've spent just one whirlwind week there, visiting Barcelona, Madrid & Toledo, and didn't have problems with crime--but as for Chicago, another 2016 candidate city/finalist, I'd settle for just a single month without a high school kid getting shot and killed. While petty crime does exist in Europe, of course, as you experienced, sadly, first-hand, at least it usually lacks the violence that we see all around us here at home.

Just back from 2 1/2 weeks in Spain (three days in Barcelona and the rest in Andalucia, ending in Madrid), where we had a great time.

Everyone was helpful and considerate, especially in Barcelona.

When dealing with taxis, always ask the price before getting into the cab, if you don't, you'll pay what they put on the meter at the end of the trip. Also, cabs may charge a fee for coming to the hotel to pick you up, as opposed to just stepping outside and hailing a passing cab, where you can set the fare before leaving.

Thanks for all the replies. We have been to Europe for the last 3 years, 5 Countries and 22 major locales. We thoroughly plan and understand our itinerary, transporation, accommodations, etc. using travel guides (Rick's and others), Google Earth, BlackBerrys, Computers, etc. If I don't have locations and directions documented in advance, I know how to do so on the fly.

The one question that I have not yet been able to get a definitive answer to is: Do you need to carry your passport with you or lock it in you you hotel and carry a copy. The General Consul in Barcelona told us not to carry our passports with us.

You're opening up a can of worms as there are people here who think each way is correct.

Just carrying your passport with you in your pocket or bag is a big mistake--pickpockets. Carrying it in a money belt is safer as it is under your clothes and no one knows you have it as long as it stays under your clothes.

Others prefer to leave their passport locked up in a safe. Not your luggage, a safe. Luggage can easily be tampered with even if it is locked.

I personally always have my passport with me in my money belt. I only take it out when I need it And even those days, it's carried in a secondary moneybelt used only specific occassions.

There is no definitive answer as Frank points out. I think the definite answer is your carry it but there are a group of people who believe that a copy is "just as good." And it maybe 99 times out of a hundred it is. But what happens the one time or two that it is not just as good. You may need to prove that you are in the country legally and only a passport will do that. A copy is super easy to forge and proves nothing. Therefore, I always carry it.

A couple years on this site there was a posting from someone who had a lot of problems in Barcelona. He was very knowledgeable about all the scams and precautions. He was approached by legitimate undercover police but thinking that they were the fake currency scam police he tried to avoid them. Finally with the help of some english speaking Spaniards he spoke with the undercover police. Of course, what did they want?? Some id? a passport? And what did he had ? -- a copy, of course. Needless to say, it did not go well and screwed up his day.

Will you have that kind of problem? Probably not !! But if you do, having you passport handy may be critical.

I think I would rather deal with la policia about a passport copy instead of what we had to do. La Policia were actually quite sympathetic and had an english translator available.

Right now I am about 55% - 45% in favor of holding onto my passport but that could change.

Maybe I'm missing something pertinent here (wouldn't be the first time!), but what is the DOWNSIDE to keeping one's passport with him/her, tucked safely in the money belt? That's what we do, and it seems the risk is negligible--right?

There is nothing wrong with keeping a passport in a money belt type device. The debate is whether it's okay to keep ones passport in a hotel room safe while sightseeing for the day. Some people think a passport should always be attached to your body 24 hours a day. Others, like myself, don't see what the big deal is about leaving it in a safe for the day.