Restrooms

When nature calls, look for signs that say "servicios sanitarios" or simply "sanitarios." Toilet paper is not discarded into some toilets in smaller venues in Costa Rica, but rather in a trash bin beside it. Septic systems are delicate and the paper will clog the toilet. At some public restrooms you might have to pay 50¢ or so for a few sheets of toilet paper. At others, there may not be any toilet paper at all. It's always a good idea to have some tissues at the ready. Gas stations generally have facilities, but you may decide not to be a slave to your bladder once you get a look at them. On long trips, watch for parked buses; generally this indicates some sort of better-kept public facilities.

Find a Loo

The Bathroom Diaries. The Bathroom Diaries is flush with unsanitized info on restrooms the world over—each one located, reviewed, and rated. www.thebathroomdiaries.com.