I've just learned that in Costa Rica, people throw away used toilet paper in the basket, as the sewage system can't handle it. I'm wondering whether this is true even in the hotels. I'm not squeamish -- this would hardly stop me from going! -- but I might want to look into some hygienic spray or something to bring along. Unless anyone has suggestions on that.

This may be true in some of the older, very low-budget places or in roadside gas stations but is not the norm in my experience. In all the places I ever stayed, the plumbing was fine.

However, Kelly, this is standard procedure in many, MANY places in the world. The cleaner ones will have a small wastebasket next to the toilet that has a cover or lid.

There are reasons for this. Often it isnt that the sewage system cant handle it - it might go straight into the sea. Often its because the pipes are very narrow and get blocked easily. Anyhow it is a waste basket. What do you want to do spray what is essentially a litter bin ? It doesn't affect the quality of the actual toilet seat. Look at it the same way as the bin where you might deposit your sanitary towel or tampon. Do you go and spray each and every one of these ? I think you should realise that science these days attributes an increase to food poisoning, sensitivity to house dust etc. etc. to a high state of hygiene. In the wild, elephants teach their calves to each dung to build up resistance.

Hi Kelly,<BR>The way I normally handle this when traveling in Mexico or the surrounding areas is to check out the situation.<BR>Usually, there will be a sign in the restroom that they want you to throw the paper in a separate bin if that is the case. <BR>Or, as Marilyn says, you will see a bin to throw it in by the toilet so you can choose to do so if you wish.<BR>It takes me a day or so to get used to doing it, and then it becomes easy to remember...<BR>

Any nice place that doesn't have its own sewage treatment and has a trash basket cleans it so often it is not a gross as you would think- no big deal.

Kelly, if you are referring to a feminine hygiene spray to use in place of TP, I have seen recent commercials for a feminine hygiene foam that claims to need no rinsing, and takes care of odor and wetness.

You will encounter this in CR, but as others have pointed out it's really not a problem. I've used bathroom in gas station and small sodas (lunch stop) and quite frankly, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of cleanliness wherever I went. I've been in much nastier toilets when traveling thru parts of Italy (let's just say that hole in the ground hygiene is not completely defunct in Europe).<BR>