volcanogirl

m, I'm not sure I'm understanding you. When you say "checked" do you mean checking it in on an airplane? That's what I thought your were referring too. We've had our bags locked before at the airport and they made us remove the locks before they would accept them.

mlgb

I was mainly talking about leaving a locked suitcase in hotel baggage storage or in bus stations (in Peru) where you might be arriving in the morning and leaving later in the day but not checking into a hotel.

Also what was said above re checking bags at airports. They can be checked locked. Usually they are scanned. At one point I read about them breaking off TSA locks anyways, so I use a cheapie which they are welcome to destroy if needed. However, I prefer to use my hardsided case as carryon (it has 4 spinner type wheels so easy to push sideways down the aisle). If I buy too much stuff I check a cheap duffle bag that has things like clothing, foodstuffs, and bulky items. I fasten it with a ziptie and duck tape over the zipper and a few times around the body (that also works if I leave it at a hotel). On my most recent trip it was opened, nothing was removed and no note was left inside. Not sure if it happened on the way out of Ecuador or in Miami.

franciscojose

i bought my backpack. in a town called esquipulas, in border between guatemala and el salvador, for 20 usd. with the right size, etc. its made in china. but materials are good. go to your trip with wahtever you usually travel, perhaps in central america you can get something. good of a local brand that you like, at a. more convenient price

hopefulist

If anyone is interested in an awesome pack-light travel pack, REI has 30% off their bags which brings the Vagabond down to just over $100, this week only:
http://www.rei.com/product/809157/re...40-travel-pack

AmandaO

Backpack hands down! Especially in the countries you mentioned I'm guessing at least half of the time you won't be on smooth well paved roads/floors so dragging a bag with wheels gets real old!