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Journalism of Courage
YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is back with another jaw-dropping adventure that has his fans glued to their screens. This time, the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber takes us deep inside Mexico in a cinematic vlog that feels straight out of Jumanji. Titled “I Explored 2000 Year Old Ancient Temples,” the video documents a thrilling expedition through some of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most mystical sites, including Calakmul, Chichen Itza, and the enigmatic Balankanche Cave.
Joined by two of his friends, MrBeast kicks off his adventure at the King’s Palace before plunging into the untamed jungle. Along the way, they encounter black howler monkeys, venomous spiders, and a swarm of bats. They finally reach the sacred Balankanche Cave, where ancient Maya believed all human life began.
Before entering, MrBeast and his team pause for a spiritual ritual. “Deep inside of there is what they called the Tree of Life,” he explains. “They believed that all of us spawned from this very majestic, beautiful tree deep in this cave.” Their local guide elaborates, “This is so sacred that we’re going to do a ceremony to ask for permission from the spirits of the cave.”
A purification ritual is performed at the cave’s entrance, symbolically preparing them for the journey ahead. Once granted spiritual approval, the group ventures deeper into the cave, but the path is far from easy. As they descend further, the temperature rises, making the journey even more challenging.
Finally, they arrive at the awe-inspiring “Tree of Life”, a sacred Ceiba tree that the Maya believed held up the sky. But the exploration doesn’t stop there. The group pushes forward, reaching sections of the cave where the air is so thin they require oxygen support to continue.
Watch here:
Meanwhile, INAH (Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History) confirmed that Donaldson’s visits to several Mayan archaeological zones were carried out with full permission from the federal Ministry of Tourism and the governments of Campeche and Yucatán. INAH emphasised that its staff were present throughout the production to enforce safety and preservation protocols.
However, according to a local media outlet, the Ministry of Culture in Mexico threatened sanctions and legal action against the YouTuber for allegedly misrepresenting events and violating the intended use of cultural heritage sites.
