Mexico is the latest country to see a wave of overtourism protests, with locals in the capital clashing with police during huge demonstrations this summer. Residents are angry at the massive influx of tourists over the past decade and the explosion in Airbnbs.

It is claimed that American and European tourists have taken over trendy neighbourhoods in Mexico City. According to estimates, one in five properties in desirable Condesa is now an Airbnb, short-term let, or tourist dwelling.

Mexicans point to an explosion in tourism over the last decade, blaming the increasing number of visitors for forcing out locals and sparking a rising cost of living.

In the last ten years, according to figures, foreign visitors to Mexico have increased from 35 million to 45 million a year.

Meanwhile, the tourist resort town of Cancun - built in the 1970s - has seen an astonishing 300% hike in tourist arrivals over the past ten years, with nearly 10 million visitors in 2024.

Tulum, once an exclusive celebrity hideaway, now draws two million tourists per year.

Protesters took to the streets of the capital throughout the summer. The demonstrators in Mexico City appear to have one chief demand: clamp down on the number of Airbnb rentals.

While locals in the very touristy province of Yucatán are pessimistic about the prospect of mass demonstrations taking root there.

“Most of the touristy places in Yucatán are very siloed, particularly those catering to Americans, so they won’t necessarily create any spillover effects for local residents,” resident Carlos Rosado van der Gracht said.

During a protest in August, angry demonstrators attacked coffee shops and stores aimed at tourists, smashing windows, spraying graffiti and chanting "Fuera Gringo!", meaning 'foreigners out'.