What's the word on hitchhiking in Cuba? Alternatively, does it work as it does in other places in Latin America to ask around for anyone that might be able to give a ride to the next town down the road?

I didn't try it, but I understand that there is a system of government mandated hitchhiking. You stand in a certain spot, and if a government vehicle passes, it has to pick people up if it has room (but you might be taking space a Cuban might have used.)
Asking around won't get you far, because almost nobody has a private vehicle, unless it is a horse drawn carriage or something like that, and then they'll want at least a small amount of money.

Just wave a few greenbacks from the side of the road and you will easily get a ride...

I picked up hitchhikers all of the time while in Cuba. They were all cubans though, I prefered taking them over tourists. I am sure Cubans wouldn't mind picking you up, you should help them out with the gas though. It is very expensive there.

Since a large portion of the Cuban population's only means of transport is hitching, you'll have plenty of competition for rides.

If you can't afford transportation, maybe you should think of staying at home.

I didn't find hanging out at the designated hitchhiking spots to be comfortable at all. You're taking a ride from a Cuban who needs it WAY more than you do. (Do you really want to get in a vehicle and leave a grandmother with small children at the side of the road?) As a foreigner you're viewed as a bit of an idiot in this situation.

#2 is right - waving a couple of dollars is an easy way to get people to stop anywhere, anytime.

No matter who you're getting a ride from it is common courtesy to donate a little gas money to the cause.

Generally I think hitching is a waste of time, effort and resources for a tourist. It's fine to do a few times for the experience, but generally you're further ahead to take a bus. (Unless you're waaaaay out in the boonies and you don't have a choice.)

Just my 2 cents...

Cheers,
Terry

We hitchhiked in Cuba with a tandem bicycle and trailer attached. There were a few times when we couldn't reach our destination and needed a ride. We were picked up a regular truck carrying Cubans to other destinations, a mail truck, and a Russian dump truck. Although we didn't attract them with dollars, we gave it $5.00-$10.00. No discomfort about it as far as I'm concerned.

Cubans don't even like it when tourists take the cuban buses for a few cents.

By his logic perhaps he shouldn't eat and drink while visiting since it'll take precious resource from the women and children in dire need of sustanance. Better yet, if he inhale the fresh air he's taking the air out of the lung of those in need...etc

The point is, you're paying a sucker rate just by getting there. You are not allow to stay in private house unless its owner pay a hefty tax. Guess who that tax ultimately falls on? Do you know your departure tax as what it really is? If you give people gas money for their ride, as I do even at home, then it's between you and the driver. Terry should shut his hole because he's using his values to criticize you. He can speak his mind as I do here, but laying guilt with his shit logic is DUMB.

Dear Gusano,

Please read Post 5 again. I specifically referred to the DESIGNATED hitchhiking waiting areas where you do indeed take rides DIRECTLY from Cubans who need the lift WAY MORE than a tourist does. Period. (Have you ever sat at one of the designated areas and listened to the locals complain? Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker from one of those areas and listened to them gripe about the 4 tourist backpackers who took the only decent ride in 3 hours - while a dozen Cubans sat and watched?)

Hitchhiking independently and paying for gas is a whole 'nother deal from what I referred to. That's easy, and as Poster 2 said (and I agreed) "waving a couple of dollars is an easy way to get people to stop anywhere, anytime."

Cheers,
Terry