All about Haunted Places in Mérida, Mexico (2025 Guide)

In Mérida, stories of ghosts and haunted places whisper through the streets, blending into the city's history like echoes of the past. But these eerie tales are not limited to the city itself.

Head toward Progreso, and you’ll come across Misnébalam, an abandoned village where the spirits of the past are said to linger. The once-thriving town now stands in eerie silence, its ruins wrapped in legend and mystery.

Back in Mérida, old, decaying buildings hold their own secrets.

Some have been vacant for decades, their darkened interiors steeped in myth and unexplained phenomena. But the most unsettling part? Some of the least likely places, where you’d never expect it, are rumored to have ghosts of their own.

Santander Bank

One example is the much visited Santander Bank branch on Paseo de Montejo. The ghost of a mother is said to be looking for the grave of her child on the property, which was there many decades ago before the building (Casa Vales) was remodeled.

Catedral de Mérida

Of course there are also frequently mysterious occurrences around old churches. For example, some visitors to the catedral de Mérida have claimed to have seen ghost monks and nuns as well as the ghost of a soldier.

Churches

Since the 19th century, the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen has also been haunted by the ghost of a soldier from the Caste War who hanged himself from the ceiling beams of the church.

In front of the Parroquia de Santa Ana, the ghost of an 18th century Spanish plantation owner has been seen repeatedly biting chunks of flesh from his forearm to feed himself.

And there are also reports of ghosts in the Iglesia de Santa Lucía. If you see the apparition of a black man from the 19th century in the church courtyard or hear the gentle sound of drums, there is a very specific reason for this.

Since at least 1840, there have been repeated reports that the spirit of a young woman near the Parque Hidalgo can be heard at sunset uttering incantations in an ancient Yucatec Mayan dialect in a soft melodious voice.

In December 2011, municipal workers from Mérida finally discovered an ancient Mayan burial site deep underground beneath the park.

Central Cemetery

The Central Cemetery (Cementario General) also has many stories to tell, for example, of the ghost de Don Arcadio, who still wanders in the cemetery near his grave.

More Famous Places

At Casa Museo Montes Molina on Paseo de Montejo, there are sightings of a ghost of a woman in a white dress and other strange appearances.

Just a few meters away at El Minaret you will find the next ghost story in a well-known building on Paseo de Montejo, which is based on a dark family history. The whimpering of an infant's ghost can be heard from a filled-in cenote on the property.

There is also thought to be something underground at another prominent location. The Maya believe that the Monumento a la Patria and the Villa Donata stand above a hidden entrance to the underworld and that there are spirits.

But it doesn't always have to be ghost stories, some buildings, such as the beautifully restored El Pinar keep other scary stories behind their walls.

Day of the Dead

Mexico has a deep cultural heritage filled with folklore, customs, rituals, and superstitions. One of the most well-known traditions is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a time when families remember and honor their deceased loved ones.

The origins of this tradition date back thousands of years to the Aztecs, Toltecs, and other Nahua civilizations, who believed that death was not an end, but rather a transition into a parallel world and a new beginning.

According to tradition, the dead return to visit their families on the night of November 1st. Loved ones welcome them with candles, flowers, and offerings, often in decorated cemeteries.

My Book Recommendation

There’s a book called The Ghosts of Mérida by Louis E.V. Nevaer, which explores ghost stories from the city, described by the author as Mexico’s most haunted place.

From the spirits of Mayan sacrificial virgins to vengeful mistresses, suicides, and those who mysteriously vanished, the book offers fascinating insights into Mérida’s paranormal history.

If you’re interested in eerie legends and supernatural tales, this might be a great read to dive into the city’s darker side.