A tourist was met with a wave of angry locals after he decided to climb the world wonder Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Chichen Itza is one of the seven wonders of the world. Credit: Pola Damonte via Getty Images
The shocking moment was captured on video which has been shared widely on social media.
Tourists watched the scene unfold during a visit to the 82-foot ancient pyramid in Yucatán, per Fox News.
Footage shows the man sprinting up the steep steps of the sacred structure as onlookers gathered at the bottom, booing and heckling him.
Some people in the crowd shouted at the man, calling him an “idiot” and “stupid”, while one woman can be heard yelling: “You are not allowed to go up the temple!”
A security guard is seen scaling the pyramid in an attempt to stop the man, while others try to intercept him at the top.
Two guards can be seen running around the summit of the pyramid as the tourist disappears from view, reportedly trying to hide inside a chamber.
#Mexico🇲🇽: A German tourist ignored the rules and climbed Kukulcan pyramid in Chichen Itza, sparking outraged by the rest of the visitors. Local media reported that the 38 year old man was confronted by others visitors while he was taken away into custody. pic.twitter.com/RMU0SdpcSV
— Voice of Mexico (@VOMexico) March 22, 2025
“He eluded us, even though we’re keeping watch on the western side of the temple,” a National Guard member told Mexico News Daily. “He ran past us. He’s clearly in good physical condition.”
As the 38-year-old German tourist was escorted out by members of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the Mexican National Guard, tensions exploded.
A mob of tourists surrounded the man, some physically attacking him while others shouted that he should be “sacrificed” — a chilling reference to the ritual human sacrifices once performed by ancient Mayans atop the pyramid.
Guards tried to de-escalate the situation as the crowd continued heckling him during his removal. One video shows the man flanked by security personnel while being swarmed by furious onlookers.
Un alemán sube al Castillo de Chichén Itzá durante el fenómeno de Kukulcán y es agredido.
Un hombre de 38 años, originario de #Alemania, subió a la pirámide de Chichén Itzá el 20 de marzo de 2025, durante el fenómeno de #Kukulcán en el equinoccio de primavera, violando los… pic.twitter.com/ByT82zcw0E
— José Díaz (@JJDiazMachuca) March 22, 2025
Authorities later confirmed that two separate tourists had attempted to climb the pyramid that same day, with approximately 9,000 visitors present to witness the spring equinox event known as the Descent of the Feathered Serpent.
During this phenomenon, sunlight creates a visual illusion of a serpent slithering down the pyramid’s staircase — one of the most highly anticipated sights of the year.
The pyramid, also known as El Castillo, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and has been off-limits to climbers since 2008 to protect its historic integrity.
Violations can lead to fines under Article 55 of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones of Mexico.
The German tourist now faces charges and potential fines for violating the ban, per the Daily Mail.
He was reportedly removed from the archaeological zone and handed over to U.S. Marshals after being found at a hotel in Mexicali, roughly 2.3 miles south of the U.S. border, according to the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat.
Climbing Chichen Itza has been banned since 2008. Credit: © Marco Bottigelli / Getty
This isn’t the first time a tourist has caused chaos at the historic site.
In 2023, a Polish tourist who defied the same ban was met with instant vigilante justice when a bare-chested man in shorts and sandals struck him over the head with a large wooden stick as he descended the steps.
The Polish man, said to have been fined after spending about 12 hours in custody, was stunned by the blow and shielded his head with his hands. He later told authorities he had climbed the pyramid to take photos for social media.
The Temple of Kukulcan — formally known to archaeologists as Chichén Itzá Structure 5B18 — features four staircases with approximately 91 steps each and dominates the center of the ancient Mayan city.
Despite repeated warnings and signs, some tourists continue to risk fines, arrest, and public humiliation for the sake of a photo — but judging by the crowd’s reaction this time, locals are no longer waiting for authorities to respond.
