ESPAÑOL
FRANCES
PORTUGUES
ITALIANO
SEARCH POSTS
Since Chichen Itza became one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, it undeniably has attracted more visitors. Among its tourists, many famous people have paid a visit to the ancient Mayan City. Some have been casual visits, others have been monumental concerts, and others might have gone a little too far. Still, these visits from presidents, singers, and even royalty have become memorable, and thankfully, we have gathered pictures that immortalize such moments... Here's a list of People you won't believe visited Chichen Itza!
Related article: Important Events in Chichen Itza
In March 2006, almost a year before Chichen Itza was named one of the Seven Wonders of the New World, the President of Mexico at that time, Vicente Fox, hosted a visit to the Mayan City of Chichen Itza. Along came former U.S. President George W. Bush and former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. They took about 40 minutes and were all amazed by the strong culture that built the city, I mean, they had the place just for themselves, it doesn't get any better.
In 2011, another political visit took place in Chichen Itza. President at the time, Felipe Calderon, and the Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos, toured the main esplanade of the Castillo de Kukulkán, the Temple of the Warriors, the Sacred Cenote, and the ball game, and later held a private meeting in the distinguished visitors' lounge at the tourist Parador.
One of the unforgettable encounters that Chichen Itza hosted was the concert of British singer, Sarah Brightman. Almost 11 years ago, on October 31, 2009, Sarah Brightman transformed the pre-Hispanic vestiges of Chichén Itzá into a natural stage as part of the final performance of her "Live in Concert" tour of Mexico and Latin America. She was accompanied by the State's Orquestra, which only elevated the concert's atmosphere.
Placido Domingo was accompanied on the piano by Mexican pianist and composer Armando Manzanero. Domingo sang despite the weather conditions, as it started raining, but it only made the night more emotional. It was October 2008 when over 8 thousand people gathered at the archaeological site of Chichen Itza.
Elton John has earned his place in the music industry and has gone even further. So if anyone was worthy of singing at the Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen Itza, it was him. Over 7 thousand people were present that day in October 2010, and it became more than just a concert, it was an experience they will never forget.
In 2011, surrounded by the imposing steps of the Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza, in the state of Yucatan, J.Lo wore a snakeskin-like dress and accessories for the setting of her next video. The singer chose the archeological ruins for the single "I'm Into You". This is one of the most controversial visits to Chichen Itza since she is seen walking and going to "restricted sections" of the site.
Did you know Queen Elizabeth II visited Yucatan in 1975? This is an honorable mention since she didn't get the chance to visit Chichen Itza. She instead was toured around Uxmal by Mexican President Ernesto Echeverria. These photos are valuable memories of the past. She visited the city of Merida and was happy to see the colorful city and its charming people.
It's important to highlight the fact that some people of influence have violated the Archaeological site's restrictions and have been held accountable. These events were criticized by groups opposed to the presentation as an attack on archaeological areas, which continue to occur until. After analyzing the different scenarios, INAH agreed to not hold concerts or events of this nature at Chichen Itza. Respect for the history and Mayan culture is held by safety and preservation. All these different events didn't help in the preservation of the ruins, just as INAH forbade the climbing of pyramids and other buildings for the same reasons.
That being said, we kindly ask visitors and encourage everyone to follow indications and respect this unique and amazing historic site.
Jessica Alba is an American actress known for her role as Sue Storm in the film Fantastic Four.
The actress visited Chichen Itzá recently in May 2024 and shared photos on Instagram during her trip to Mexico, specifically at Chichen Itza.
Jessica Alba shared many photos where she is sitting at the foot of the Kukulkan Temple and a video mentioning she also participated in a Mayan ritual.
Additionally, the actress mentioned in the description that she had always wanted to visit Chichen Itzá and finally fulfilled that dream.
“Camp Rock” star Demi Lovato traveled to the Yucatán Peninsula and visited Chichen Itzá in 2014, joining the list of celebrities who have visited the archaeological site.
Like any famous or non-famous person, the singer took photos of the various Mayan structures, such as the Temple of the Warriors and the Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Of course, she couldn’t miss the opportunity to pose for a photo in front of the Pyramid of Kukulcán, the main temple at Chichen Itzá.
MrBeast, one of the most popular influencers in recent years, visited the Mayan ruins in 2025. Not only that, but he also captured impressive photos and videos of El Castillo, both outside and inside the pyramid, using a drone. This created a debate among people, both for and against, about the protection of cultural heritage and the permits given by INAH.
It is important to remember that Chichén Itzá is a highly protected archaeological site. No one is allowed to climb the pyramids or enter them in order to protect the cultural heritage.
For this reason, MrBeast’s visit was very controversial. However, he did not break any rules. Instead, it became a way to encourage people around the world to learn about ancient cultures, such as the Mayan culture in Mexico.
After this, thanks to MrBeast, national and international tourists, as well as locals, were able to see what is at the top of the Kukulcán Pyramid.
Recently, former Mexican soccer player Hugo Sánchez and Fernando Llorente (former Spanish soccer player) arrived in Yucatán as part of the FIFA 2026 Trophy Tour. The trophy was displayed at Chichén Itzá on March 20, 2026, and then they continued their tour in Mérida.
