MrBeast Responds to Controversy Over Filming in Yucatan

YouTuber MrBeast, known for his jaw-dropping giveaways and larger-than-life productions, has found himself in hot water with Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) after filming at archaeological sites like Calakmul, Chichén Itzá, and Balankanché. While the video in question has racked up over 60 million views since May 10, it’s also sparked a legal complaint, intense online debate, and conflicting narratives from government officials.

The Video That Sparked It All

Titled “I Explored 2,000-Year-Old Ancient Temples”, the video (watch below) features MrBeast and his team racing through Maya ruins, making jokes, and promoting his Feastables brand. It was filmed with permits issued by INAH, and the production company—Full Circle Media—had the green light to access these sites.

But just days after its release, INAH alleged that the video broke the rules.

INAH Files a Complaint

On May 15, INAH announced it had filed an administrative lawsuit against Full Circle Media, stating that:

“The permit issued to Full Circle Media, representing MrBeast, did not authorize the publication of false information or the use of the image of archaeological sites for the advertising of commercial brands for private profit.”

They accused the YouTuber of exploiting Mexico’s cultural heritage for monetary gain and spreading misinformation. The agency demanded both financial damages and a public retraction, stating that “the nation’s heritage… cannot be exploited by commercial enterprises.”

INAH also condemned what it described as a distortion of the cultural value of Maya heritage, calling the video a misuse of public assets for private enrichment.

Campeche Governor Sansores Pushes Back

Meanwhile, Campeche Governor Layda Sansores—who had welcomed MrBeast as a guest and supported the production—publicly defended him. She argued that the video served as “enormous publicity for the state,” particularly for Calakmul, which has seen a steep decline in tourism in recent years.

“This video was produced with respect and professionalism,” Sansores said. “The Ministry of Culture should weigh the benefits to Campeche before pursuing legal penalties.”

She acknowledged that the production may have included some creative liberties, but said they were “typical of visual storytelling” and did not harm archaeological integrity.

INaH numbers confirm that tourism to Calakmul has been on the decline, with only 15,177 visitors so far in 2025—down from over 41,000 in 2023. Some see the video as a rare opportunity to draw attention to a site that deserves more visibility.

In contrast, Chichén Itzá—also featured in the video—has remained one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico, with over 839,000 visitors already in 2025.

Timeline of Events

• May 10, 2025: MrBeast publishes his video on ancient Maya temples, including scenes from Calakmul and Chichén Itzá.
• May 12, 2025: INAH confirms that permits were granted, but claims some scenes were misleading or not approved.
• May 13, 2025: Campeche Governor Layda Sansores defends MrBeast, emphasizing the positive attention the region received and confirming that INAH was present during filming.
• May 15, 2025: INAH formally files a complaint against Full Circle Media, the production company behind the video.
• May 17, 2025: The video surpasses 60 million views, continuing to trend globally.

MrBeast Issues a Statement

In a public statement posted to social media, MrBeast responded:

“I’ve seen a lot of stories about our recent video in Mexico and want to clear up some false claims. My team and I have deep respect for Mexican and Maya culture. We made this video to get people around the world excited to learn more about it—just like we did with our Pyramids video.

We’re not being sued, and never have been, haha. That’s completely false, and it saddens me to see people spreading lies.

We filmed with all the proper permits, followed the rules, had government agency reps with us, and worked with Mexican archaeologists to ensure accuracy. Representatives from the sites were also present to make sure we followed protocols. The governor of the state where we filmed even came out publicly in our defense.

They were aware we’d mention Feastables in the video, but out of respect for the sites, that part was filmed away from any national monuments. The dinner scene where I made a joke about Feastables didn’t take place near any Maya temples.

We hadn’t planned to share this, but due to misleading headlines, I want to add: behind the scenes, we funded water wells and clean water projects in the region. I’ve also been working with INAH on a fund to support local Mexican archaeology and new discoveries.

I wanted to help spread awareness of this incredible culture as a thank-you for letting us film. I hope to return one day and continue sharing with the world just how amazing this culture is. It saddens me to see it all being twisted.”

Whether this turns into a cautionary tale or a cultural turning point remains to be seen. For now, the video is still live, a lawsuit is allegedly pending, and both sides have drawn their lines.

MrBeast’s massive reach and philanthropic reputation may soften some criticism—but the broader issue of how cultural heritage is presented, commercialized, and protected remains very much on the table.