After spending a month in Central America and Mexico, I have to tell you it’s the simplest of things that a person appreciates. That brings me to toilet seats and tap water. So let’s start at the beginning.
Toilet seats. Something we take for granted here in Canada, or at least I do. On my latest travels I went through Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, and let me tell you, toilet seats were few and far between. Squat and hover was the answer in many of those bathrooms too!
So why don’t some countries have toilet seats? Here’s what I found out. The perception is that there are no toilet seats in Mexico. For example, it is often misunderstood. Most public restrooms and many private homes in Mexico do have toilet seats. However, some public restrooms, especially in more rural areas or older facilities, may have toilets without seats for reasons including hygiene, maintenance, or cost.
In some places, the lack of toilet seats can also be attributed to cultural differences regarding toilet use. It’s common in some regions for toilets to be designed for squatting rather than sitting, which can contribute to the absence of seats. Do some toilet seats get permanently borrowed as well? Why of course they do! Overall, while it’s not accurate to say there are no toilet seats in Mexico, variations in restroom facilities can lead to this misconception. But to know why each establishment doesn’t have a toilet seat, you would just have to ask them!
I haven’t even mentioned toilet paper and those challenges. If there is toilet paper, cheer, but there usually isn’t. Toilet paper holders are often empty, even broken, and I wouldn’t be the first visitor to comment on that (Weary, 2016). Likewise, in Guatemala for example, toilets I have discovered are connected to 2-inch pipes, which are smaller than the 4-inch pipes commonly used in the U.S. and Europe. Now, think about a wad of toilet paper. The sanitation systems are just not set up for a lot of toilet paper at one time. The same could be said in Mexico. However, research indicates that some retrofitting could solve some of the problems. Except for some of the older infrastructure that doesn’t have many options. That is why you will see toilet paper put in trash cans, not flushed. Is it a big deal to throw your toilet paper in a trash can? Not, it is just different from what we know. I am a supporter of ‘do what the locals do’. That doesn’t mean to follow blindly but until you know what and why, do as the locals do. Even while I was writing this blog post. My partner and I were discussing toilet seats and lack of and what I researched and learned was not what he thought nor I, for that matter. Good conversation, toilet seats are! Let me tell you.
So how can you prepare yourself for all these variables when it’s time to do your business? Have an open mind. No seat- no problem. Pack some extra butt wipe, super easy. I bring a partial roll of toilet paper in my purse. A full roll looks a little intense, even for me. Also wipes are handy. You can use them for everything just please don’t flush them! If you accidentally flush, it will probably be okay. I know I caught myself a couple of times, especially when I was in places that had seats, I went right back to my normal routine as if I was at home and it was okay. Just try and be mindful.
I found some stats that say, “Out of [Mexico’s] population of 127 million people, 72 million people (57% of the population) lack access to safe water and 47 million people (37%) lack access to a safe toilet. Water supply and sanitation in Mexico has experienced both great achievements and continued challenges”, (Water.Org). I had never heard the term safe toilet, it is something to think about. When I researched about toilet seats in Guatemala and Belize there was less information available. All I can tell you once we left Mexico, it was very similar in bathrooms in those other countries.
Something else we aren’t used to in Canada is also paying for the bathroom. In many places, this was a common practice. It wasn’t much but more a small fee. I would like to tell you that the funds went towards the staff cost, cleaning, and toilet paper but some of those places still had no toilet paper and cleaning, uh, hard no. However, there was one bathroom on the way to Guatemala from Palenque that we stopped at and it was immaculate. Not your regular gas station, and it far surpassed some of the bathrooms completely worth paying for. And face it, some things you just pay for. Just like water.
On that note, I don’t have a problem paying for water. I do it in Canada all the time. So paying for water in another country is not a stretch. It’s like everything else, pay attention to where you are buying, it could save you some money. I found gas stations that sold two-for-one waters and it was very close to the same cost as the grocery stores. So I didn’t feel like I had to run all over town or like I was overpaying. There were a few different brands but it was all good just the same. The places we went on this trip encouraged us to buy water. Even one of our guides. He said the last time he drank the water in Mexico he was eight and he was now 45 years old. Yikes! Ironicly too because 30 years ago when I got married in Mexico I drank the water in Puerto Vallarta. This just brought up more questions for me to think about. I know when my partner reads this he will roll his eyes. In my mind, I have an iron-clad stomach and I have drank water out of muddy puddles, random streams, and yes, Mexico too! Have I ever gotten sick, no, but just so you know right now I am knocking on wood and hoping I just didn’t jinx myself. There is always a first!
But for now, I want to tell you how much I am enjoying toilet seats and tap water, and I want to wish you happy travels and I would suggest you look into a few things before you close your suitcase. It is always good to be prepared and worst-case scenario, you come home with some great stories! Because we all know it’s all about the stories and the memories! Enjoy!
References
Bathroom Etiquette and Rules Around the World, 27 Mar. 2024,
http://www.wholesaledomestic.com/blog/bathroom-etiquette-and-rules-around-the-world/#:~:te
Weary, Ken. Sunglasses Required, 16 June 2016,
https://www.sunglassesrequired.com/blog/2016/6/12/bathrooms-south-of-the-border.
Below: A bathroom at State & Main in Spruce Grove after my trip. Whoohoo!
