The easy answer is no, but i will explain why and give you some alternatives and ways of using Airbnb in a responsible way.
Airbnb idea was amazing. Having the chance of sharing your home with travelers from all over the world, make extra money and meet amazing people sounds like a dream come true, and it was, at the beginning. The thing is, our human nature made us find the hole in the system and people started creating tons of listings, they negotiated with landlords and kicked out their tenants to make an Airbnb business, this is a horrible problem.
First of all when you use Airbnb renting a whole apartment for you, you are using a place that used to be someone´s home, have you ever thought about it? This person won´t be able to live in that neighborhood anymore, due the high demand of tourists, all the rents are so high that locals can´t afford to live in the safe beautiful areas, we know that you love Condesa and Roma, but now those places are becoming accesible only for tourists while the locals have been pushed away from the parks where we walk their dogs, enjoy their favorite coffee shop, shop from their local fruit vendor who knows their name and give them a sample of mango making their mornings happy.
I know that is convenient for families, but it´s actually ruining our beloved city, our community, our way of life, and our local economy. I know, because i believe in people, that you are not ok with all this horrible effects.
So, what are your choices if you are visiting Mexico city:
Hotels: I love hotels because they create jobs, from waiters, bell boys, maids, receptionists, concierges and more, they pay taxes and they contribute to the local economy.
Shared Airbnb: you can book a room from someone actually living in that apartment that way you will help this person pay their rent and you´ll have an affordable accommodation.
Airbnb with only 1 listing: if the person has only one listing and the place looks like a home, not like a designer perfect place, probably they are out of town and they are renting their own apartment, this is good because you can have a place for you and your family without damaging the local life. If the person has several listings, thats the one you should avoid like a plague, because those guys are kicking out families, old people and students from their homes, ruining the community.
That been said, if you already booked an Airbnb we won´t hate you forever, we understand how convenient it is and that make responsible choices sometimes is expensive and not everybody can afford to do it, but, there is something you can do:
Shop from local places when you are here, not from the hipster touristy place, pay a visit to the local fruit shop. Fix your shoes with the shoeshiner. Shop some veggies at the local market and cook your dinner at home, those businesses are disappearing because tourist only shop at the cool, hip places and the locals are moving out.
I hope you have a great stay in my city and if you need a food tour where the community gets a lot of benefits, check out ours HERE
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