How to Hitchhike
Is hitchhiking safe?
First things first - Is hitchhiking safe?!Short answer: yes.
There are lots of blog posts and reddits on this topic, even on hitchhiking on a boat (very useful in the Azores :) ) here are my two cents on the topic:
Hitchhiking safety note
I'm not going to disrespect people attacked or even killed whilst hitchhiking by saying that hitching is 100% safe because it's disingenuous and it dishonours their memory. BUT I will say these three things:
Sure, I'm not recommending inviting accidents in with open arms by purposefully putting yourself at risk, but that brings me on to point two:
#2. Hitchhikers are NOT disproportionately victims of crime - this is a real live actual fact. Hitchhiking is less risky than standing under a coconut tree. Fact.
1998:
— Carol (Nichols || Goulding) (@Carols10cents) July 2, 2016
- Don't get in strangers' cars
- Don't meet ppl from internet
2016:
- Literally summon strangers from internet to get in their car
I hope that helps, I'm by no means a risky person, in fact by most people's standards I'm pretty wimpy (for example, I'd never bungee jump - I don't want to break my neck). But even I think that hitchhiking, in the great scheme of things, is not a massive gamble.
Presumably, though, you're here to learn about hitchhiking Azores, not have a lecture from me about Azores safety or FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) so I'm going to get on with that now:
This post is divided into three sections:
- Tips for hitchhiking virgins
- Tips for hitch hiking Azores safely
- Our own personal stories from hitchhiking Azores
If it's your first time hitchhiking (as it was for us when we arrived on Sao Miguel - the largest of the island in the Azores,) these tips and tricks should help you out:
Don't stand on the motorway or places cars can't legally stop, or on the wrong side of the road. Bus stops are great and petrol stations are good too (though there aren't many of those on Sao Miguel).
Do stand after a junction when hitchhiking
Don't expect the first car to pick you up when hitchhiking
But don't wait around for more than an hour
Azores safety - If you don't want to get in a car, don't!
However, I do still believe in a little bit of gut instinct and if it doesn't feel right, just know that you don't have to get into the car: you can just pretend you're asking for directions; or ask if they're going somewhere outrageously far away, and if they say they'll take you halfway, answer you'd rather wait for a car going the whole way...
Stick your thumb out, smile and make eye contact
Tips for hitchhiking Azores
Pick up a map at the airport
Only hitchhike on the EN1-1A
Here is a map of Sao Miguel Island:Hitchhiking along any of the little white roads (EN2-1A, EN3-1A, EN4-1A) is nearly impossible because not enough cars go that way.
Take an umbrella when hitchhiking Azores
Real hitchhiking stories around the world: hitchhiking Azores
I'm going to end this post by telling you a few stories of what it was actually like to hitchhike in the Azores because, like when I wrote A Guide For First Time House Sitters, I think tips can only take you so far: the real learning comes from hearing real examples of what can (and has) happened:
Our first experience hitch hiking Azores = a disaster
We carried on walking. After about 45 minutes we got bored of walking, got our nerve up and stopped to face the cars if any of them looked 'alright' we put our thumb out. No one stopped.
We continued walking north. The road got smaller and the cars became practically non-existent.
One and a half hours later (so three hours in total) we arrived at our Airbnb. Tired, wet and extremely annoyed with our host who'd insisted that hitchhiking Azores was a big thing.
Our second attempt hitch hiking Azores 
(A real problem in the Azores) but we met a nice American family who took us all the way back down the mountain.
The German couple who became our chauffeurs
On our second attempt to conquer Sete Cidades, we met the nicest German couple ever: we were walking up the hill, with our thumbs out when a car stopped and a man asked in a heavy accent "do you need a lift to the top" and we answered in German "yes please!"We also walked around the volcano and later up to a few viewpoints. Finally, they dropped us off at their Airbnb - they were so kind!
We always found it a bit hard to hitchhike out of Ponta Delgada back to Capellas, where we were staying, because there isn't really a good place to stand. One time we were picked up by a young guy, who said he could take us if we both sat in the front seat. It was funny and he was a really nice guy. When he dropped us off he actually gave us some hash (which we had no idea what to do with and gave to our neighbour).
The plastic man
A guy in a van stopped for us and said I'd have to sit in the back - aka no seat and blacked out windows. Like the guy with the drugs, this wasn't something I would have done on our first hitch, but like the guys with the drugs, it turned out fine, well almost:
An Azorean an American and a Brazilian
Followed by an unsuccessful hitch up to Lagoa do Fogo we were picked up by an Azorean, an American and a Brazilian. They were all lovely, but the American will always be remembered: after finding out that Tanbay is German, she excitedly said that she loved Heineken (which is Dutch).
The conclusion to Hitchhiking in the Azores
We highly recommend that you try hitchhiking in the Azores, it's a great way to meet other tourists and real Azoreans themselves. We think it was a great place to hitchhike for the first time and glad we tried it out there.
We hope this guide has been useful for you, let us know in the comments below if you have any questions!
And I'll leave you with some notes on the Azores:
Everything you need to visit the Azores:
- Reasons you must visit the Azores - in case you're not already convinced
- Best Luxury Hotels in the Azores - Our guide to finding the perfect hotel in the Azores for your honeymoon, anniversary, birthday or any other special event. Probably not so relevant if you're a hitchhiker, but hey I'm a hitchhiker who stays in luxury hotels so you never know.
- Medium to Cheap Hotels in the Azores - hotels in the Azores for all types of budgets, from budget travellers to middle.
- FREE accommodation in the Azores - with house sitting. We travelled the world for two years straight by house sitting. Find the perfect Azorean house sit for you
- Best Tours of The Azores - comprehensive list of the best tours to do in the Azores
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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