When you think of Venezuela, you might not associate it with hitchhiking as a tourist. However, why not give it a try?
Where did it happened
I hitchhiked with a local girl I met on Couchsurfing in San Cristóbal, Venezuela. We meet each other for a day trip to Chorro el Indio, a nearby waterfall. Our journey involved hiking up the mountains to find a suitable road. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I would have attempted hitchhiking alone in the country, as I wanted to avoid any potential troubles.
What’s important to know
The locals in Venezuela are generally welcoming, and I had positive interactions, except with the police. When hitchhiking, you might get to meet the police who could stop and try to ask for money if they see you on the side of the road, especially at the entrance and exit of provinces. So, if you plan to hitchhike across the country, be cautious with the police.
It’s also wise to avoid hitchhiking at night. While Venezuela is a beautiful country, it does face many challenges, and there are some incidents of kidnapping. As a solo tourist in remote areas, you could be a target.
The local people I met advised me to take care of myself. During the day in San Cristóbal, walking around the city wasn’t an issue, but they recommended not to do it at night.
Speaking Spanish is a huge advantage, as finding English speakers isn’t common.
How was my hitchhiking experience?
We didn’t have to wait long before the first car stopped – it took less than 10 minutes! It was a pickup truck, and we sat in the back, which was perfect because we could take in the beautiful scenery and the atmosphere.
We were lucky as the first ride took us all the way to the waterfall. Upon arrival, I was amazed by the waterfall, very huge and located in nature yet not far from the road.
Read here all about the waterfall
Hitchhiking back to the city was just as simple. This time, it was quite exciting. A family offered us a ride, but instead of sitting inside, we stood outside, holding onto the roof. It might sound scary, but I didn’t felt that way. We enjoyed the ride, feeling the fresh wind and having a unique experience.
We made a stop at a house in a remote area, where we were warmly invited in for beers and food. It was an interesting experience because no one spoke English, not even the girl I was hitchhiking with. I had to find a way to communicate with the 10+ people, and somehow, it worked really well. I was quite proud of myself.
The food was delicious, and they were happy to have us as guests, willing to share their thoughts about the country. I learned a lot more about Venezuela, confirming the idea that you gain the most insights when talking to locals.
After the meal and drinks, they drove us back to the city, and this time, we could comfortably sit inside the car. It was a great experience.
Summary
I didn’t plan to hitchhike in Venezuela when I visited; it wasn’t even on my mind. However, when the idea was proposed, I got excited. Taking a day trip by hitchhiking and getting to know many locals made my trip way better. For me, it’s all about the experiences, whether positive or negative, that create memories. I’m genuinely happy about that day.
If you’re considering hitchhiking in Venezuela, be sure to educate yourself, talk to locals, and take good care of yourself.
