Tourists Be Warned: Mexico's Public Bathrooms Are Often Missing One Important Feature

If there's one thing that unites us as a global community, it's the need to relieve ourselves. It may not be appropriate dinner conversation, but it's basic human biology. However, restroom comforts can vary depending on where you are, and in Mexico, don't be surprised if you discover there is no seat on the toilet.

Whether it's the men's room, the ladies' room, or a unisex bathroom, there's a good chance the toilet seat will be MIA. The reason behind this could be another universal human connection: money. Excluding toilet seats can save money, not only during construction but in maintenance as well. If there's no toilet seat, there's no need to clean said toilet seat.

Toilet seats are not often missing from bathrooms within Cancun's best all-inclusive resorts or other popular tourist destinations. But it is always something to keep in mind when planning a safe, stress-free vacation in Mexico. Encountering this situation is more likely to occur in smaller towns or in public toilets along the street. Mexican bathrooms sans toilet seat are typically communal or in smaller, less wealthy areas. Meanwhile, newer facilities in major cities are more likely to have seats installed. But there is a historic and cultural context to this restroom experience — and in Mexico, bathrooms are merely functional, not a place for comfort.

In the United States, a restroom break is often about more than the body's basic needs. Scrolling a phone, browsing a magazine, or just escaping the buzz of the office are perks to these mini getaways. In Mexico, providing access to that comfort is purposely avoided. After all, it's a toilet room, not a restroom. And speaking of comfort, Mexico has a warm climate. The cold of a porcelain toilet seat can be rather shocking upon first contact. So, rather than experience that discomfort, many decide to avoid it all together.

It's important to note that Mexico is not alone in its seatless toilet experience. Water closets in Italy, for example, often feature seatless toilets. The exact reasons behind this are a mystery, but there's a belief that the seats attracted squatters, who tend to stand on the seats and squat rather than make contact with its surface. To avoid maintenance-related issues, like broken or cracked seats, they are simply removed.

For Americans especially, entering a bathroom and seeing a seatless toilet can come as a shock. Besides frugality and cultural differences, in Mexico, many seats are stolen, so the authorities have simply found it easier to not replace them. A bit of strategy, shall we say, is needed for visitors to cope in situations like this.

And while a missing seat may be the most surprising part of the bathroom experience, there are other cultural customs around the Mexican water closet to keep in mind. Most importantly, don't flush the toilet paper. Unless it is a new tropical resort full of modern amenities, many plumbing systems in Mexico are old and just aren't up to the task of sending toilet paper through the pipes. Instead, many bathrooms have a bin nearby for the used paper. Folding or balling the paper into an appropriate shape can make disposal easier and less intimidating.

And speaking of that paper, while you're exploring some of Mexico's best Gulf Coast beaches like Mérida, it might be a good idea to have a roll tucked into your backpack or purse. Lack of paper in water closets is common, and it is always better to be safe than sorry, as they say. Your bathroom trips are a necessity, but staying flush with the right knowledge and knowing what to expect can ensure your trip goes off without a hitch.