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{{Infobox Location|country = Portugal|state = [[Azores]]|map = <map lat="37.78332999999977" lng="-25.4999999999997" zoom="10" view="3" float="right" height='300' width='600' />|pop = 140,000|plate = |motorways = }}'''São Miguel''' is the biggest and most populated island of the nine islands that form the [[Azores]] archipelago in the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. It is located in the Eastern Group of the islands together with [[Santa Maria]]. The government of the Azores is also located on São Miguel, in its biggest and most important city [[Ponta Delgada]]. About 45,000 of São Miguel has about 's 140,000 inhabitants with 45,000 living in Ponta Delgadalive there. São Miguel is also the Azorean island most frequented by foreign tourists with direct flights to several different locations in [[Europe]] and [[North America]].

Hitchhiking is quite easy and works well on São Miguel. Although some public buses exist, they often don't go when and where you want, so many people will accept you as a hitchhiker without long explanations. As a signal, the thumb works perfectly, there is no need for a written sign. Many people will drive you straight to your destination, show you around or at least make a detour. As many people on the island live from tourism, you might find people picking you up only to practice their English. Also, you are more likely to get picked up by foreign tourists with rented cars. And finally, you will get lifts on the back of pick-up trucks as well.

The only way to get to São Miguel for free is probably by [[Hitchhiking a sailboat|hitchhiking a sailing boat]], either from Europe, North America or maybe the [[Caribbean]]. There are no ferries from mainland [[Portugal]], and ferries from the other Azorean islands are charged per person. If coming from outside the Azores, then a plane is most likely to be your only choice. Tickets are cheapest from [[Lisbon]]. There is no public transport available at the airport, so hitchhiking or walking is the only way to get out. It's quite a bit to Ponta Delgada's city center.

As on most of the Azorean islands, there are a few spots marked as "public swimming pools" in the Atlantic Ocean on free tourist maps. Go there to have a free shower after swimming. Some are not so nice though (e.g. the one in [[Lagoa]]). Wild [[camping]] seems to be forbidden, but as long as you leave in the morning, you won't have any problems. If you like hiking, get some free maps with hiking trails at tourist information offices.