YouTube sensation MrBeast, known for his extravagant stunts and philanthropic endeavors, has ignited controversy after filming a recent video at several of Mexico’s most significant archaeological sites. Released on May 10, the video has already received more than 55 million views as of Wednesday afternoon. It features MrBeast and his team exploring ancient structures, including the iconic Chichén Itzá pyramid, known as El Castillo, located in Yucatán.
Watch MrBeast arrive by helicopter to the archaeological discovery sites in the video above. It snaps him leering over a pre-Hispanic mask with pride. The practices depicted in the video have caused alarm. Folks are understandably alarmed at the prospect of these moves being in compliance with NEPA rules for entering sensitive historic sites. Filming and broadcasting at Mexican archaeological sites is strongly regulated, the idea being to preserve the artistic integrity of the monuments. Therefore, permissions are the exception and only granted to scientific institutions or scientific authorized entities.
The travel and tourism ambassador MrBeast even stopped by Chichén Itzá during his trip. He visited the archaeological sites of Calakmul in Campeche and Balamcanché in Yucatán. During the filming, MrBeast expressed his astonishment at being allowed access, saying, “I can’t believe the government is letting us do this. It’s truly crazy. Not even archaeologists are allowed in here.”
The public outrage was immediate when the video was released. In response, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) published an official rebuttal to set the record straight. The director of the Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone, José Francisco Javier Osorio León, clarified that any activities involving material work to explore or discover archaeological monuments must be conducted by INAH or recognized scientific institutions. He stated that “all types of material work to discover or explore archaeological monuments will only be carried out by the National Institute of Anthropology and History or by scientific institutions or those of recognized moral standing, with prior authorization.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later confirmed that those filming permits had been granted. She further requested that INAH provide more information regarding the circumstances involved with issuing those permits. She emphasized the need for clarity on whether any violations occurred during the shoot, noting, “If the permit was violated, then (it must be determined) what sanctions apply.” Claudia Curiel de Icaza, head of INAH’s Legal Affairs Office, reinforced the point that this is not an isolated incident. She announced that severe sanctions would be coming if violations are indeed found.
Surprisingly, the INAH responded positively to the idea that videos like these could raise public awareness about Mexico’s rich heritage. They noted that content like MrBeast’s “may motivate interest among young audiences in Mexico and around the world to learn about our ancestral cultures and visit archaeological sites.” They raised concerns about inaccuracies and a lack of context in framing what happened in MrBeast’s video. INAH stated, “Clearly, the video involves extensive audiovisual post-production work and alludes to events that did not occur, such as the fact that the producers never descended from a helicopter, spent the night inside the archaeological site, or possessed a pre-Hispanic mask, as the one presented is clearly a contemporary reproduction.”
The outrage over MrBeast’s video brings to the forefront important issues related to cultural preservation and responsible tourism. MrBeast represents one of the biggest successes of the YouTube platform. He has almost 100 million more followers than his nearest competitor, showing his influence is unmatched. His content can significantly shape public perceptions and interests, highlighting both the allure of historical sites and the need to protect them.
