Travelers looking to get out into the backcountry of Honduras should be sure to learn the crucial word jalón. This literally translates to “a big pull,” but in Honduras, it means hitching a ride. In many rural areas, hitchhiking is the only way to get around, and pickup trucks with room invariably stop to let another passenger pile into the back. In fact, pickup trucks often serve as local buses and use set routes, times, and prices.

Not only is hitching safe and convenient in rural Honduras, but riding in the open air in the back of a pickup beats being crammed into a hot bus for a few hours. Many budget travelers and Peace Corps workers prefer hitching even when buses are available. While it is generally very safe for solo females to hitch in the pickups described above, traditional hitching and getting into random cars is never recommended, particularly for women alone.

Hitchhiking is common only out on back roads, not on main highways. Some budget travelers insist on hitching everywhere, and it’s usually possible, but hitching on main highways is both less common and less safe than in rural areas.