Safety in Mexico: What to Make of the Anti-Expat Protests & 3 Tips to Avoid Issues

You’ve seen the headlines: Protests in Mexico City, “Gringos go home” signs, and angry crowds.

If you’ve ever thought about retiring here, you might be wondering: “Am I about to move to a country that doesn’t even want me?”

The truth is, the real story behind these protests is nothing like what you’ve seen online. And by the end of this video, you’ll know exactly what’s fueling them, where expats are still thriving, and the simple steps to make sure you’re welcomed, not hated, in your new home.

What the Media Got Wrong About the Protests

Okay so, let’s set the context for those of you who don’t know what we’re talking about here. In early July 2025, protests erupted in Mexico City. Graffiti saying “gringos go home,” stores vandalized, streets flooded with angry demonstrators. The whole bit. And this is not the first time the anti-gringo sentiment, particularly in Mexico City, has exploded. 

But this is only half the story. These protests might not be about what you think. These aren’t broad anti-American protests. They’re protests against what they call gentrification and housing injustice. 

Mexico City rents have skyrocketed 286% since 2005. Meanwhile, real wages in the megacity are down 33%. Reminiscent of the situation in the United States actually. Locals are being priced out of their own neighborhoods, and expats, especially digital nomads and their Airbnb landlords, are the easy target for the blame.

Foreign demand for short-term rentals have created pressure cookers in trendy areas of Ciudad de México like Roma, Condesa, and Juárez. In fact, many Mexican protestors were clear: They’re not anti-immigrant. They’re anti-displacement. One organizer even stated: “We’re not against migration. We’re against violence as a government model.”

So, why the headlines? Because outrage grabs attention, and nuance doesn’t go viral.

Most of Mexico is still friendly, welcoming, and safe for expats. But these flashpoints are real of course. This protest did happen, and the anger is not random. If you understand what’s fueling these demonstrators, you’ll know exactly which neighborhoods and which cities to approach with caution.

Now let’s look at where the friction is most noticeable and why some areas are pushing back harder than others.

And by the way, if you’re considering Mexico but don’t know which city and visa are right for you, download our Retire to Mexico guide. We’ve helped lots of US expats move to Mexico legally, safely, and without costly mistakes. Link is in the description.

Where Tensions Are Rising and Why

Not all of Mexico is experiencing anti-expat backlash. These large protests were largely contained to Mexico City. But in some pockets of the country, resentment is simmering. I have quite a few friends and clients in Mexico, and they tell me that they know where the protestors are coming from. The anger is tied to income inequality, housing pressures, and cultural clashes – not personal hostility.

Let’s start with the epicenter: Mexico City. Neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma Norte, and Polanco have become magnets for digital nomads and retirees, and landlords are cashing in. Airbnb listings have exploded. Locals get evicted or outbid by Americans offering more cash upfront.

In popular tourist destinations Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, and Tulum, the dynamic is similar. Housing prices have doubled in some beach communities in just the past 3-5 years. Locals have voiced that their towns now cater more to foreigners than to Mexican families.

Most Americans don’t realize that we unintentionally contribute to some of this friction. If you live in a gated community, don’t learn Spanish, and rarely interact outside the expat bubble, you’re not seen as integrating. You’re seen as extracting.

I’m not saying that’s the truth. But having many Latin friends throughout North and South America, I can confirm that’s how many locals feel. 

But it’s not all bad news. Cities like Mérida, San Miguel de Allende, and Oaxaca have large expat communities with minimal backlash. Why? Because the integration there is deeper. More cultural respect. More Spanish-speaking. More permanent expats (or if you prefer, call them immigrants). Less pricing chaos. And expats tend to be more involved in local life.

In Mexico, you’re not going to get chased out of town or jumped in the street. Anyone saying you will be a victim of such crimes has never been to these places. But you could find yourself subtly unwelcome if you settle in the wrong place. 

My personal advice is to avoid overhyped expat enclaves that are experiencing growing pains. And to take it step farther, focus instead on places where the local economy benefits from your presence if you’re really concerned about your presence harming the community.

So what makes an area expat-friendly? And how can you tell if you’re moving into a community that wants you there? It’s simpler than you think.

3 Tips for Living as an Expat in Mexico

You want to live well. But I think the majority of you also want to live respectfully. So how do you find the parts of Mexico where Americans are still welcomed? Here’s the general rule: the more you contribute, the more you’re welcomed. Integration matters. Not only for the local population, but for your quality of life as well.

Start with language. Even basic Spanish goes a long way. Locals don’t expect fluency immediately. But they do expect effort. Just as you probably expect foreigners immigrating to the US to speak our native tongue.

Second, coexist! Choose neighborhoods where locals and foreigners live happily together. Join local meetups. Strike up a conversation with the Mexican next to you at the bar. Again, this benefits your self-esteem, relationships, and quality of life just as much as it benefits your Mexican counterparts.

Third, look at housing trends. Is the area you’re interested in saturated with Airbnbs? Are locals being displaced? If so, maybe think twice if that concerns you. Some small pueblos like Puerto Escondido or Sayulita have serious housing shortages due to foreign visitors. So much so that workers in these places have to rent a place 1-2 hours away and commute every day to work for a paltry minimum wage.

Instead, look for cities where expats and locals have a longer history of coexistence. Mérida, for example, has a stable housing market and a deeply rooted international community. 

Healthcare is another factor that I think a lot of expats overlook in their search for a new home. Our clients in Mexico rave about the healthcare, especially in Querétaro and Guadalajara, but I think few realize that their dollars can help or hurt these systems depending on how they’re used. Maybe use local private clinics. It certainly doesn’t cost you a 

When you choose the right city and show up the right way, you’re embraced rather than merely tolerated. And from an expat of almost a decade myself, I can tell you that this slight difference makes a big impact for your conscience and overall quality of life overseas. 

When you take these tips into account and actively strive to be a part of the community you moved to, you get the best of both worlds: a richer, healthier, happier, and freer life for you, and a better place that you now call home.

So no, expats aren’t the enemy in Mexico. But careless expats who don’t respect the local community or try to become part of it? I understand why they’re part of the problem. 

If you want a detailed breakdown of why 1.6 million Americans live in Mexico and how you too can move there legally, watch the video linked on your screen next. And don’t forget to subscribe for more ways to live a healthier, happier, and richer retirement from expats like me and our hundreds of clients.