Hundreds Protest Mass Tourism and Rising Rents in Mexico City

Yesterday, a large group of protesters gathered peacefully in tourism hotspots like Condesa and Roma, but the demonstrations soon escalated with some participants vandalizing shops by breaking windows and shouting at tourists. Graffiti reading “Go away from Mexico” and signs demanding “Stop stealing our homes, Gringos” were seen in the area. Protesters carried banners urging local authorities to implement stricter regulations on tourism and housing laws.

The protests also extended to locations in front of the U.S. Embassy and metro stations, prompting additional police reinforcement at the embassy. The unrest reflects growing anxiety over the rapid increase in tourism-driven gentrification and rising rent prices, especially in neighborhoods once affordable for locals.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Mexico City has seen a surge in “digital nomads,” particularly from the U.S., seeking cheaper rents and remote work possibilities. This influx has contributed to skyrocketing rents in popular areas, forcing many residents to leave.

Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old protester from the working-class district, explained that she’s witnessing the gradual transformation of her city into a tourist-only zone. “Mexico City is going through a transformation. There are so many foreigners—mainly Americans—living here. Some say it’s xenophobia, but it’s not. It’s just that Airbnb has driven rents sky-high. Many people can’t afford to pay anymore,” she said.

Similar protests have occurred previously in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and Rome, highlighting a broader European and Latin American trend of resistance against mass tourism’s impact on local communities.