On the Road in Mexico: Toilets
Believe me, the toilet situation has improved tremendously over the last thirty years since I first visited Mexico. It still, however, has a way to go.
The whole toilet thing is not much of an issue when you are settled in your own house, but it looms large when traveling. Toilet availability in Mexico is quite good these days; all Pemex stations have Sanitarios, although they vary in cleanliness and amenities, and most Cuota (highway toll collection) stations have decent bathrooms. Most restaurants of the sit-down variety also have some kind of facilities, and more upscale places may feature gorgeous examples of tilework in the local style. The main things to be aware of if depending on public toilets are 1) paper; 2) seats; 3) water; 4) soap; 5) attendants.
1) Paper. Some got it, some don’t. ALWAYS carry your own paper, just in case. TIP: Check for a large roll somewhere near the entrance of the bathroom, as many places will have a full roll there, and empty rollers in all the stalls. And after you have used the paper, don’t forget to throw it in the trash bin provided. Never throw paper into a Mexican toilet, unless there’s no trash bin, which might or might not indicate that it’s okay. It can be disconcerting, but even the most elegantly appointed hotel bathroom will have the inevitable wastebasket next to the toilet.
Paper towels are much less likely to be provided. Use your clothing or air dry. Some places have those annoying blower things.
2) Seats. For some mysterious reason, many Mexican public toilets do not have seats. I don’t know if this is because they’re easier to clean that way, or because they think people will steal them, but it can be an unpleasant surprise at times. When traveling, always take full advantage of any good bathroom you happen on. Not to get too personal, but a couple tips for the ladies – skirts are easier to manage than trousers, especially if the floor happens to be wet. Have paper ready in one hand, and hang on to the tank or the wall with the other hand if your leg muscles aren’t quite up to the challenge.
And speaking of seats, if you are a devotee of those paper toilet-seat covers so universally available in the US, forget finding them in Mexico; we’ve seen them only one time in the course of all our considerable travels.
3) Water. All the bathrooms I’ve seen have had sinks, but occasionally the sink will not have water. Many sinks have two faucets but only one will be operative. In places with multiple sinks, check each of them — one might be working. When there’s no water anywhere, it’s nice to have some of those little travel towels in the car.
4) Soap. Although soap dispensers are often in evidence, they seldom contain soap. Carry your own if this is important to you.
5) Attendants. Some toilets will have an attendant hanging around, doing cleaning chores. Occasionally there will be a tip cup on the washstand, but other times it is less clear what is expected. I usually donate a couple of pesos. Some places will have a sign stating a fee at the door (usually 2-5 pesos), and an attendant to collect it up front. I have encountered one pay toilet (remember those, with the coin slot on the door?) at a cuota station, outrageously priced at 10 pesos (~$1 usd!).
Bathrooms are pretty easy to find when shopping in the city. All the bigger stores and supermarkets feature bathrooms which are usually decently equipped (Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Soriana, etc.), and clean, although it’s always a good idea to carry your own paper.