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User:JustinePorto/Public toilets in Mexico

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Public toilets in Mexico
Example alt text
Public toilets in Indoro Publico, Merida, Yucatan in 1924
Language of toilets
Local wordsbaños
aseo
váter
retrete
servicio
lavabo
sanitarios
regadera
bidé
tina
lavamanos
orinal
Men's toiletshombres
caballeros
señores
varones
Women's toiletsmujeres
damas
señoras
Public toilet statistics
Toilets per 100,000 people1 (2021)
Total toilets??
Public toilet use
TypeWestern style sit toilet
Locationsmetro stations
municipal markets
Average cost2 pesos
Often equipped with???
Percent accessible???
Date first modern public toilets???
.

Public toilets in Mexico

Public toilets[edit]

baños, excusados, sanitarios and WC are common local words for public toilets.[1][2]  Women's toilets are sometimes labeled damas, señoras or with a moon symbol.  Men's public toilets are sometimes labeled caballeros, señores or with a sun symbol.[1]


A 2021 study found there was one public toilet per 100,000 people.[3]

Public toilets in the 1990s were known for being very dirty and for not having toilet paper.  If toilet paper as available, it was generally being sold by someone outside.[4]

Low-income neighborhoods in towns and cities like Ciudad Juarez sometimes had sheltered pit toilets.[5]

Public toilets can be found at metro stations and municipal markets.[2]

Full services public toilets in Mexico often require payment to use. Most of the cost to use the toilet goes towards the cost of toilet paper, paper to dry a person's hands and the attendant.  Toilets are accessed via a turnstile.[6][2] The typical charge is 2 pesos.[7]

Public toilets are often dirty.[8]


Some modern long distances buses have toilets, including separate ones for men and women.[2]


The most common type of toilet is a sit toilet.[7]

Public toilets often do not have toilet paper.[7]

Public toilets in Mexico tend to be maintained and reasonably clean.[1]

Toilets in bars and smaller restaurants may not have toilet paper.[1]

Public toilets are often located in bus stations, which may charge a fee for use.[1]

Sewage connections and sanitation infrastructure in Mexico often cannot support the presence of toilet paper.  People are generally advised not to dispose of it in toilets.[1]

Regional and global situation impacting public toilets in Mexico[edit]

Baño is the most common way to say toilet in Spanish speaking countries.  Other words for toilet include aseo, váter, retrete, servicio, lavabo, sanitarios, regadera, bidé, tina, lavamanos and orinal.  Men's toilets are called hombres, while women's toilets are called mujeres.  Unisex toilets are called baño unisex.  Toilet paper is called papel higiénico.[9]

Sit flush toilets are the most common type of toilet in Latin America and South America.[10] Most countries in Latin and South America do not have the sanitation infrastructure to support toilet paper being flushed.  Trash cans are typically put next to the toilet to allow for easy disposal of toilet paper.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Guides, Rough (2016-07-01). Mexico City (Rough Guides Snapshot Mexico). Rough Guides UK. ISBN 978-0-241-29069-9.
  2. ^ a b c d Planet, Lonely; Sainsbury, Brendan; Armstrong, Kate; Bartlett, Ray; Brash, Celeste; Butler, Stuart; Fallon, Steve; Hecht, John; Kaminski, Anna (2018-09-01). Lonely Planet Mexico. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1-78868-137-7.
  3. ^ QS Supplies (11 October 2021). "Which Cities Have The Most and Fewest Public Toilets?". QS Supplies. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  4. ^ Fisher, John (1999). Mexico: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-85828-342-5.
  5. ^ BBC (19 November 2015). "Toilets around the world". BBC News. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. ^ Huter, Paul (2018-07-09). "20 Places Where Tourists Actually Need To Pay To Use The Washroom". TheTravel. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  7. ^ a b c "Public Toilet Charges around the World - Toilet Types & Local Names". QS Supplies. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  8. ^ Sangster, Rob; Leffel, Tim (2008-02-28). Traveler's Tool Kit: Mexico and Central America. Menasha Ridge Press. ISBN 978-0-89732-984-2.
  9. ^ "Where is the Toilet in Spanish: 10 Easy Ways to Ask Politely". Berlitz. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  10. ^ a b admin (2015-05-18). "Toilets Around the World". Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Inc. Retrieved 2022-10-16.