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Mexican Officials Question MrBeast’s Maya Temples Video Accuracy and Permitting

Authorities confirm permits for filming but refute key scenes as staged, while high-level leaders demand transparency on permit conditions and potential sanctions.

People gather to watch the solar eclipse at the Chichen Itza archaeological zone, in Piste, Mexico, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/Lorenzo Hernandez/File Photo
MrBeast Maya temple
MrBeast attends Love, Death + Robots - NY Special Screening at the Paris Theater on May 13, 2025 in New York City.

Overview

  • MrBeast’s video claims of spending 100 hours inside Maya temples have been criticized by Mexican authorities for containing staged and dramatized elements.
  • The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) confirmed permits were secured but clarified that scenes involving a drone inside El Castillo, helicopter descents, and an overnight stay were fabricated.
  • Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has requested a detailed report on the conditions of the permit and potential sanctions if any terms were violated.
  • Federal Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza stated that sanctions will follow, emphasizing that such activities are not aligned with the purpose of archaeological sites.
  • Officials acknowledged the video’s potential to inspire interest in cultural heritage among younger audiences despite concerns over its accuracy and dramatization.