If I put a padlock on my suitcases, am I safe from being searched?
The answer is simple: no! Security authorities, almost everywhere on the planet, now have the right to open a suitcase to check its contents. Usually, they will then place a note inside to indicate that this has been done.
“Renaud C. – They still open it if they want to – They searched mine without me being there – I had a piece of paper in my suitcase and I saw it returned to the hotel.”
At least a padlock ensures that nothing gets stolen from my suitcase. Right?
Several members of our group have already shared videos that show us that it is very easy to bypass a padlock to access the contents of a suitcase. Here is an example: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdf2nn
It is not very common, but a few people have shared in forums that items have been stolen from their suitcases, more often when departing from Varadero than upon arrival. As with any trip, it is always recommended to keep your valuables with you and not in your checked luggage.
Some people also use Ty-Rap® (plastic cable ties or zip ties) to deter potential thieves.
And at the hotel, safety deposit box or locked suitcase?
Travel agents will recommend that you place your passport and valuables in the safety deposit box in your room, although you will have to pay a fee for this service. If you want to exchange currency at a bank, you will need to show your passport. Make sure to carry it safely with you. Losing your passport in Cuba can create a lot of problems when it comes time to return! Don't hesitate to write down the information presented in this article before you leave in case… https://varaderocontact.fancuba.com/2018/06/13/varadero-representations-canadiennes-et-quebecoise/
I have read on a few forums that people have noticed that objects or clothes have “disappeared” from their suitcases into their rooms. These would be very rare cases and since I have seen for myself that hotel employees are searched when they leave their workplace, I would be tempted to believe it. They have much more to lose than to gain!
To pack or not to pack your suitcases… a personal choice in the end
As with many other choices, packing your suitcases or not is a personal choice. The important thing is to make it with full knowledge of the facts!
Final Words on Padlocks
Should you lock your suitcases with a padlock or not?
Again, let's refer to a reliable source! https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/locked-baggage
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