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Greetings All. Tried to read all I can before my first post. Going Down on May 24, staying at Del Rey, then two night in Jaco at CopaCabana, then back to San Jose for 1 night before leaving. Group of 5.

This may be a very dumb question. What is this about not flushing toilet paper? Is this an urban legend or a country wide policy. I notice Ace recommends bringing a roll of american toilet paper. Is this the reason?

Thanks

Alex

That is not true for most of the internal city areas. It has to do with the sewer systems. Most do not have septic systems capable of handling "normal" waste that we are used to here in the US. It clogs their systems up. Very common also in Mexico to do this.

well...bringing american toilet paper is a must, as most hotels etc have one ply macho wipe (sandpaper)! and inevitably you'll eat or drink something that makes the bano a little more frequent...so for comfort bring the Charmin!

_________________
A Costa Rica Toast:
Here's to Looking like Movie Stars, Partying like Rock Stars and phucking like PORN STARS!

Many older hotels are plagued by plumbing problems, and flushing of toilet paper and tampons is discouraged. A good clue to follow is if there's a wastebasket very near the toilet, you shouldn't flush the john ribbon. It can be kind of inconvenient. While the toilet and plumbing may handle the tico paper in small wads, the American stuff can clog things up.

This is typical not only of C.R. and Mexico, but of many places in the world. On a trip to Amsterdam in 2000, we were surprised to encountered a neat little sign in six languages, in our hotel room bathroom, warning not to flush any paper down the toilet. This was at the Krasnapolsky, a once-elegant but aging hotel right on Dam Square. We also found this to be true in Madrid.

Just look for the overflowing garbage can filled with crappy paper... It's your signal to avoid the Royal Flush.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

On my first visit to CR, staying at the Presedente, I was astonished at all the toilet paper in the trash can. After a few days I asked a crt guy and got the story. These girls are accostumed to poor plumbing and do not understand it is not neceesary in the hotels.
Did any of you guys see all the damn toilet paper overflowing the trash cans at the Saturday pre-super bowl party. It was in a pile about 2 feet high against one corner. This was in 2 bathrooms. It made a very funny picture.

Good restroom facilities, to me personally, are one of the most lacking things I've encountered in Costa Rica as compared to U.S. standards. Though I understand the businesses cannot help some things, like the poor sewage system being unable to handle toilet paper, other deficiencies could be easily corrected.

What I have noticed at various CR restrooms:

1. Missing toilet seats.

2. No toilet paper or paper hand towels.

3. No soap.

4. No hot water.

4. Dirty.

5. Trash cans overflowing with feces covered toilet paper.

6. Electric hand dryers with broken heat element.

7. Missing toilet, urinal, sink.......only a drain hole in floor.

I might add that I have seen these things at both Tico and Gringo run businesses.........and at establishments where you would not expect it.

Zebra