You're-in luck (say it fast)

"there is a free one inside, it has everything" are excellent words to hear (free and everything! Excellent!) but why are you so excited? Of course there is a free toilet for you to use with toilet paper, running water and soap; you are not a backpacking hobo.

However one of the quirks of South American travel (aka time spent as a backpacking hobo) is that you rarely know when your next toilet is going to appear and what it's going to look like. On our trip we have had "free with everything" and we have also had to pay for a gross, bespattered, no running water, hole in the floor, with a remarkable stench (Bolivia's "Eco-toilets" I am looking at you).

The unknown (when will I find another an in what condition will it be in?) factor means:
-think twice before downing a bottle of water, 2 coffees and a fruit juice. Before and during bus trips we are mean to our bodies and are usually dehydrated. Few things are worse than bus toilets (we know, we had the misfortune of sitting next to one in Colombia. Gross)
-always carry toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you. Always.
-find water substitutions if you're not sure when the next toilet will appear. yogurt and ice cream are my preferred options

Paying to pee is not a new idea- I remember the first time I encountered it was in a small German town, 1995, I had just seen the door where Martin Luther nailed his thesis, and had not yet learned the rules. I don't remember how much it cost, but I remember thinking it wasn't worth the price. This is often the case: just because you've paid to pee doesn't mean anything more than just that. Toilet paper usually comes with the fee but cleanliness, running water, soap, toilet seats* and locks in doors are perks.

*this can be a pro or con depending on squatting above or sitting upon preferences

Ways to avoid the pay-to-pee situation, aside from the aforementioned dehydration tactic, focus mainly on learning about the good free places. They include:
- mcdonalds (or other evil mega chain)-- they are usually cleaned hourly and usually come fully equipped. Also no pressure to buy something as there are enough people there that they don't notice you
-fancy hotels-- as long as you don't actually look like the hobo you are (no giant backpack) and walk with enough authority, hotel staff will leave you alone. Hiltons, Hyatts, Four Seasons or other fancy looking places with fresh flowers on display are good bets. (Our best so far was in Cartagena, Colombia-- the disposable towel to dry your hands with felt so nice it felt wrong to throw them out).
- of course the snowsuit rule also applies- take advantage of situations before you've made them predictably much more difficult

Ultimately, it's about taking advantage of what you have (staying with friends for a few days? Drink up!) and being prepared (yes, both of you should take a roll of paper on the Inca Trail.) and remember: always always look to see if there is paper first.