A tourist has come under heavy criticism after she was filmed climbing a Mayan pyramid.
The pyramid, which is located in the Mexican state of Yucatán, is off-limits to tourists. Known as El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulcán, it is part of the pre-hispanic city of Chichen-Itza, a UNESCO heritage site. In a viral clip shared by TikTok user @angelalopeze, a woman could be seen climbing the pyramid much to jeers from onlookers. She then proceeded to take off her hat, and dance when she made it to the top.
The clip shows that she was booed by the crowd, and was escorted away by what appeared to be the archaeological site’s security. The crowd even mobbed and yelled at her as she attempted to make her way through, with some telling her she needs to be “locked up” or go to jail. Others threw water in her general direction and attempted to knock her hat off her head.
“This is so disrespectful,” added the original poster of the video. “Don’t mess with my Mexican people.”
According to Mexican news outlet Golfo Pacifico, the woman was detained for 30 minutes at the Tinum police station following the incident, and given a fine that roughly converts to $260. Per the New York Post, the National Institute of Anthropology and History said the temple was not damaged by the woman.
