You’re walking around Buenos Aires and suddenly you feel like going to the bathroom. But you are on a public road, so you must open your mental map and look for where the nearest public bathroom is. Good question, guaranteed answer.
Public bathrooms in Buenos Aires are in different parts of the city, although many times we do not realize it. The reason is simple: we only use them when a need presses us.
But don’t worry, because finding a public bathroom is not an odyssey nor does it require money. You simply have to know where to go to satisfy your basic needs. In this article, we will tell you where you can find a public bathroom and we will give you some tips about it.
Public Bathrooms in Buenos Aires: Where to Find Them and Tips
Where Can I Find Public Bathrooms in Buenos Aires?
Public bathrooms in Buenos Aires are not abundant, but it’s not too difficult to find one when you really need it. It’s a matter of knowing where they are most likely to be located so you can head there when necessary.
Shopping Centers
Shopping centers have public bathrooms on their different floors. Generally, these bathrooms are large and maintained in good hygienic conditions. The main disadvantage is that during certain days and hours, the demand for these facilities can be high, especially for women.
Cultural Centers and Museums
These establishments have public bathrooms that are well-maintained. You can take advantage of the fact that some museums and cultural centers are free to access their bathrooms in case of an emergency.
Markets
We’re referring to commercial galleries and markets such as those in San Telmo. Here, you will find public bathrooms to use, although the availability of supplies (toilet paper, soap, paper towels) is not always guaranteed.
Parks (Not All)
Some parks, especially larger ones like Centenario, have public bathrooms. Keep in mind that some green spaces have fences and may close at a certain time, making access to the park and its bathrooms unavailable.
Gas Stations
An easily accessible option since there are hundreds of gas stations in Buenos Aires with public bathrooms. Some are freely accessible, while others may require you to request the key from the staff.
These bathrooms are not usually very large or aesthetically pleasing but are useful when you are in your vehicle and cannot access a museum or shopping center.
Airports
If you’ve just arrived in Buenos Aires or are about to board a flight to your next destination and need to use the bathroom, airports have public bathrooms in various sectors to meet your needs before your flight.
Additionally, these bathrooms are well-maintained and hygienic, so you shouldn’t have issues with a lack of supplies or cleanliness.
Tips for Using Public Bathrooms
Identifying Your Bathroom
As in any city in the world, bathrooms in Buenos Aires are separated for men and women. Although there have been proposals to unify them or create a third bathroom for non-binary individuals, progress on this has been limited.
So, how are they identified? Here’s how to determine which bathroom you should use:
- “Caballeros y Damas”: Gentlemen and Ladies (in Spanish) is a common way to identify men’s and women’s bathrooms.
- Icons and Shapes: Another common way to identify male and female bathrooms. You won’t have trouble identifying these.
- “H y M”: These are the Spanish initials for man (hombre) and woman (mujer). Very common in public bathrooms. Remember, M does not mean “Men” but rather mujer (woman) in Spanish, while H stands for hombre (man).
Always Carry Toilet Paper
It might seem trivial, but public bathrooms don’t always have something as essential as toilet paper. This depends on usage frequency and how well the bathrooms are maintained.
To avoid any issues, make sure to carry toilet paper or a similar alternative with you, so you don’t have to rely on the bathroom’s maintenance.
Hand Sanitizer
Even though the term “pandemic” may seem like a thing of the past, we should not forget basic hygiene practices.
In public bathrooms, it’s essential to have hand sanitizer. After touching objects like the toilet, faucet, or door handle, always apply hand sanitizer to eliminate viruses and bacteria from your hands.
You can also use hand sanitizer and a tissue on the toilet seat if you must sit on it.
Can I Use the Bathroom in a Bar or Restaurant?
Although some bars and restaurants are generous, most will tell you NO. To use the bathrooms in these establishments, you must at least purchase a coffee or a drink.
In fact, many bars, cafes, and restaurants have signs specifying that the bathroom is for customer use only.
Does this mean you will find clean bathrooms in excellent condition? Not always! In some cases, you will find bathrooms in worse condition than those in a gas station and even without basic supplies.
