A Texan explains why Yucatán doesn't put up with misbehaving expats

In her recent newsletter, Amy Jones, a native Texan now living in Yucatán, draws a powerful parallel between Texan pride and “Yucateco” identity. Her perspective offers insight into the current friction between locals and swaggering foreigners in Mérida — and she doesn’t mention politics or tariffs.

“If you are in the U.S., you are probably familiar with how proud Texans are,” Jones explains. “You can only say you are Texan if you were born in Texas… Yucatán and Yucatecos are the same. They are proud of their state, their culture, and their history. Unless you were born here, you cannot say you are Yucateco.”

She notes that despite her Tabasco-born husband Angel living in Yucatán since 1993, “he cannot say he is Yucateco. He wasn’t born here.” Jones acknowledges her own permanent outsider status, writing, “As a foreigner, even with residency and in process to get citizenship, I will ALWAYS be a visitor.”

The newsletter takes a serious turn when addressing the behavior of expatriates. A homeowner’s rant at the beach over a truck parked across the street, a Spaniard smashing up a neighboring coffeeshop he felt was inappropriately loud, a woman from the US throwing eggs at a car idling outside. The driver was picking up her child from school.

Jones warns: “Foreigners: you continue to create situations and circumstances where you will not be welcomed any longer. Yucatecos are reaching their limits with the chaos, disrespect, and challenges you bring.”

She directly challenges the entitled attitude some foreigners display.

“It is NEVER acceptable to say, ‘If they want our money, they will adapt to us and our language.’ This is the height of disrespect.”

Jones, who consults with foreigners wishing to move here, says the consequences are already manifesting. “… Some of our recent clients report meeting foreigners (from the U.S. AND Canada) who are being forced to sell their houses and leave the city. They are no longer welcome.”

The newsletter describes multiple instances of disrespectful behavior witnessed firsthand, from airport rudeness to people arguing when cultural customs are explained. Jones also points out practical consequences, noting that “as of 2025, foreigners can no longer open a bank account as a temporary resident” with limited exceptions, attributing this to foreigners not following banking rules.

Jones even addresses terminology, explaining why she avoids the term “American”: “Mexico is part of North America just like Canada is. Using the term American to refer to yourself is the height of cultural insensitivity and is considered rude.”

The pushback from locals is becoming more pronounced. Jones reports that service workers “have quit speaking English, even if they know English” and are “fed up with foreigners complaining about the high prices.” She warns that “moving to Mérida may not be an option in the near future” if attitudes don’t change.

In February, the Yucatan-born publisher of the English-language Yucatán Times had a similar warning.

“Dear foreigner,” said José E. Urioste. “I say this with the utmost respect: The beauty of arriving in a new place—whether Yucatán or anywhere else—is building relationships based on respect and the willingness to coexist in harmony. To those who embrace this mindset, Yucatán will welcome you with open arms. But to those who believe they can impose, belittle, or trample over its people, I strongly suggest considering somewhere else.”