MrBeast’s video on ancient temples draws criticism from Mexican officials
A recent video from YouTuber MrBeast about ancient Maya temples in Mexico drew criticism from local heritage officials, who said the video distorts information and shows activities that did not happen.
The 15-minute-long video, titled “I Survived 100 Hours In An Ancient Temple,” was posted on May 10 on MrBeast’s YouTube channel, which boasts nearly 400 million subscribers. In it, MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, and his friends explore several archaeology sites in southern Mexico, specifically focusing on ancient Maya temples.
Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) issued a news release on May 12 criticizing the video. Officials said the YouTuber followed all legal guidelines for obtaining filming permissions and did not damage any historic sites, but the video distorted information and misrepresented events.
Donaldson, known for videos featuring grueling challenges and extravagant giveaways, and his team did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment.
The video opens with Donaldson saying “we just got dropped off on this 2,000-year-old ancient temple,” then seemingly shows a helicopter flying away. INAH officials said the team did not arrive by helicopter.
Soon after, the video shows a tour guide pulling out a Maya funerary mask, which Donaldson said was “made over 1,000 years ago,” and handing it to the YouTuber. INAH officials said the team used a replica and never possessed a pre-Hispanic mask.
Later, the video implies that Donaldson and his friends camped at the archaeological sites they were visiting. INAH officials said the team did not spend the night within park grounds.
Near the end of the video, Donaldson and his friends visit Chichén Itzá and claim to fly a drone into the building at the top of the site’s central pyramid. INAH officials said this was inaccurate, and the team flew the drone around the structure but not inside.
Heritage officials also said the sites shown in the video were publicly accessible areas, countering Donaldson’s statement in the video that “nobody gets to go where we’re going.”
INAH said it supervised Donaldson’s team during filming, but the video had extensive post-production editing and false information due to Donaldson’s theatricality.
Still, Mexican officials said they believed this video could motivate audiences to learn about Mexican heritage, appreciate its culture and visit its archaeology sites.
Donaldson’s team thanked INAH in the summary of the YouTube video.
Google Translate was used to translate the news release from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 1:05 PM with the headline "MrBeast’s video on ancient temples draws criticism from Mexican officials."
