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'''Guatemala''' is a country in [[Central America]].
It is recommended to find a [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] and talk go to the customersexit of whatever town you're in, in the direction of your destination. When there It is none, try preferable to wait by speed bumps (tumulos) and point towards your destination as thumbing on main roads making sure you are is more likely to incite an enthusiastic thumbs up in return, not a good visibility spot and that the cars can easily stop where you standride.
== Low-cost rides ==
Many private car drivers that pick you up might also ask you to contribute to the fuel. It is also a good idea to ask ''"¿Es un ride, no eres taxi?"'' ("This is a ride, you aren't a taxi?") before you get in the car so that you don't get into a misunderstanding later on: if you don't negotiate a fare (free or otherwise) before you get in drivers often demand some kind of extortionate price once you want to get out − is it then too late for the "No" answer. Same is valid for local taxis and other kinds of transport. The good thing, though, is that fares are very low, almost always less than 2$, some hitchhikers chose to take one of the pick-ups or a bus and to pay this small amount. This is what locals do, anyway − and they often are very poor people, so it is quite normal that from you as a travelling foreigner some cash will be expected − such fees subsidize the cost of owning a vehicle for the drivers in this country. So basically, if you want to hitchhike in Guatemala, you can expect some combination of free and low cost rides.
It's also worth noting that the standard bus fare in Guatemala as of this writing (9/18/13) is Q10 per hour. You can use this to calculate a fair contribution.
Furthermore, if you see a truck that has a metal frame built into the back, it is probably operating as a bus and thus you will be charged.
== Precautions ==
* [[Cuatro Caminos, Guatemala|Cuatro Caminos]]
* [[Guatemala City]] (capital)
* [[Quetzaltenango]]AKA Xela
== Personal Experiences ==
''I have been hitchhing as my primary means of inter-city/village transport for the last year in Guatemala. It's been a great experience so far; its the best way to take in the country by far.I've updated a bit of the info above drawing from my personal history. If you're interested in reading more, I wrote a full guide to hitchhiking in Guatemala and posted it on my website [http://jasonridesabike.com/2013/09/15/guide_to_hitchhiking_guatemala/ jasonridesabike's guide to hitchhiking in Guatemala]'' - [[User:jasonridesabike]]
''I hitched on two different occasions in Guatemala. The first time I made it through the tourist belt, to Semuc Champey at Lanquin. The second time through I hitched with a trucker who brought me to the Salvadoran border, letting me sleep in the bunk the whole 9 hour nighttime ride. Just watch out for mudslides.'' - [[User:Chael777|Chael]]
