Ecuador

Ecuador is great for hitchhiking, just be careful in some places, especially at the coast. Many pick-up trucks are there. Drivers might ask for money, but if you can explain your situation you will get away with it. Many Ecuadorians are happy to pick up a foreigner. It's not the safest country to hitchhike though.

Along the Panamericana there are several Toll-Stations ("Peaje"). Take an overland bus in direction of your destination and get out at the first toll station (normally 0,25cts - 0,50cts). You have a couple of seconds to ask the other drivers until you get kicked out by the police, but that's normally enough time to find a ride. If you are able to explain your situation in Spanish, you might be able to stay longer. If you want to avoid this kind of "trouble" you can as well try to stop cars along the Panamericana. Along this road normally you won't get asked for money.

Buses in Ecuador are quite cheap (usually 1$/h), and will usually stop anywhere. On some roads, though, there are no buses at all, in which case hitchhiking can be a good alternative, and you will be most likely picked up quickly as well, though it takes more time to find a free ride on small roads. Very often the very first car that passes will pick you up.

Strangely, hitching in groups almost works better than solo or in pairs. Don Nadie once left Quito in a group of eight, all drunk, at 3am and no problems catching a ride. Incredible. The best country for hitching in the Western Hemisphere.

Personal Experiences

 * Easily the easiest country to hitch. Spent about a month hitchin around. I recommend the walk from the highway to Misahualli to see the monkeys in the square and to camp along the banks of the jungly river fork. -Chael777


 * " I never had to wait more then half and hour, at any place in Ecuador. Hitchhiking through the coast is probably the easiest. Hitchhiking around the Andes is the best. I recommend visiting cities like Loja and Cuenca." - fyrexia

Cities

 * Aloag
 * Ambato
 * Baños de Agua Santa
 * Cuenca
 * Guayaquil
 * Ibarra
 * Manta
 * Montañita
 * Otavalo
 * Puerto Lopez
 * Puyo
 * Quito
 * Santa Elena
 * Tulcán

Gallery
Ecuador

Ecuador