Oaxaca Public Bathrooms: What To Know When You Need To Go

At some point during your time in Oaxaca, you’re going to need to use a public bathroom.

There are just a few things you should know first…

Don’t worry, public bathrooms are generally pretty easy to find around Oaxaca. They’re usually located in busy areas, near markets, tourist attractions etc… but there are a few things you’ll want to know before you need to go.

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Yes, you usually have to pay

Public bathrooms in Oaxaca aren’t normally free. Expect to pay around $5–10 pesos to use one.

That’s not exactly going to break the bank, but it does mean you should keep some small change with you. Don’t be surprised if you hand over a $100 peso note and get a look that says, “Seriously?”

Keep a few $5 and $10 peso coins in your pocket or day bag and you’ll be fine.

Some bathrooms have a turnstile

You’ll also come across public bathrooms with a turnstile at the entrance. These are becoming more common around Oaxaca, particularly in busy areas.

Usually you’ll pay around $10 pesos, then the turnstile unlocks and you’re in. They’re pretty straightforward and you’ll see a few of these around the city.

Toilet paper isn’t guaranteed

This is one of those little Oaxaca travel tips that can save you from an awkward situation.

Sometimes there will be toilet paper. Sometimes there won’t.

And sometimes there will be someone sitting at the entrance handing you a small amount of paper after you pay. Other times, you’ll need to sort yourself out.

My advice: carry a few sheets of toilet paper with you.

You don’t need to walk around Oaxaca carrying an entire roll. Just fold up a few sheets and put them in your pocket, wallet, or small bag. You’ll thank yourself later.

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Don’t assume there will be a toilet seat

Here’s another one.

There’s probably about a 50/50 chance that the toilet will actually have a toilet seat.

This isn’t necessarily a cleanliness issue. Sometimes the seat is simply missing or has seen better days.

So, don’t walk into a public bathroom expecting the same setup you’d find at home. You may get a perfectly normal toilet, or you may get one that requires a little more creativity.

Sometimes there’s no water to flush

Another thing you might encounter is a toilet with no water in the cistern.

Don’t assume the toilet is broken. Look around the bathroom and you’ll probably find a large bucket of water with a small plastic container floating in it.

The little container is your flushing mechanism. Scoop up some water and pour it into the toilet to flush.

It might seem a little strange the first time you see it, but it’s perfectly normal. Just remember to check for the bucket if the toilet doesn’t flush the way you’re expecting it to.

Use the bathroom when you get the chance

One of the best ways to avoid having to find a public bathroom in the first place is to use the bathroom when you’re already somewhere that has one.

If you’re having a coffee, eating at a restaurant, visiting a shopping centre, going to a museum, or spending time in a hotel, take advantage of it.

This is particularly useful when you’re heading out for a few hours of walking around Oaxaca City.

And if you do need to go while you’re out, don’t worry. Oaxaca has plenty of public bathrooms in convenient locations.

Just carry some small change, bring your own toilet paper, and keep your expectations realistic. Once you know what to expect, using a public bathroom in Oaxaca really isn’t a big deal.

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