Tourist Arrested and Attacked by Locals After Scaling Sacred Mayan Temple

A tourist in Mexico has landed in hot water—and in the middle of a furious crowd—after deciding to scale the steps of the Temple of Kukulcan at Chichén Itzá, a sacred Mayan pyramid that also happens to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The incident unfolded last week during the spring equinox, attracting widespread attention and condemnation.

Footage captured by bystanders shows the climber, whose identity remains undisclosed, brazenly ascending the pyramid while security guards scrambled to catch up with him. The stunt occurred amidst a crowd of approximately 9,000 visitors who had gathered to witness the natural phenomenon known as the 'Descent of the Feathered Serpent.' This event happens when sunlight casts a serpent-shaped shadow along the pyramid’s stairs—a spectacle that draws tourists from around the globe.

In a rather dramatic twist, one of the climbers—a 38-year-old German tourist—attempted to evade authorities by hiding inside the pyramid chamber. However, he was soon discovered and escorted out. Despite efforts by Mexican National Guard officers and personnel from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to shield the man, enraged onlookers took matters into their own hands, reportedly attacking him and even shouting calls for him to be "sacrificed"—a nod to the ancient Mayan rituals once performed atop the pyramid.

Climbing the nearly 1,000-year-old temple has been strictly prohibited since 2006, a rule established to preserve its historical integrity. Yet, this hasn’t deterred some thrill-seekers from defying the ban. The two individuals involved in last week’s incident now face potential fines under Article 55 of Mexico’s Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a tourist has tested the patience of Chichén Itzá’s guardians—or its crowd. Two years ago, a Polish tourist similarly scaled the pyramid, only to be whacked with a stick by an angry bystander before being arrested and fined. It seems some visitors have a knack for turning sacred sites into their personal obstacle courses.

While the spring equinox celebrations at Chichén Itzá include a four-day program featuring activities and events, climbing the pyramid is decidedly not among the approved festivities. Perhaps future visitors should stick to enjoying the view from the ground—and avoid the wrath of the crowd.