How To Visit Merida’s Cementerio General (Main Cemetery)

Published by Cassie on 05/04/201805/04/2018

Looking for something slightly different to do in Merida? Quite fancy seeing another side to this beautiful and fascinating city?

Then why not grab a hat and a large bottle of water and head on over to the cemetery for a totally different experience? This outing is perfect for everyone, even small kids can enjoy exploring here. My children love nothing better than being allowed to examine different graves, imagine who people were, and run through the open spaces (we do give very strict guidelines for behaviour in a cemetery though). If you are travelling through Merida with kids, please don’t imagine the cemetery isn’t for you.

Brief History of Merida’s Cementerio General

Merida’s cementerio general was established in 1821 following a governmental decree that all cemeteries had to be outside city limits and as such, this cemetery was built on the land of an old hacienda just outside the city of Merida. Prior to this, people had been buried in their local cemeteries. The very first person to be buried here was Lieutenant Felipe Trejo in November 1821.

The cemetery is, by no means, any longer, outside of the city limits. In fact, it’s within walking distance of the southern Merida Sam’s Club and the airport!

Location and Opening Times for Merida’s Cementerio General

The cemetery is open every day from 8 am – 5 pm. Be warned that 5 pm actually means 5 pm. The guard is incredibly punctual. Perhaps he’s super keen to get home for the day.

There are entrances to the cemetery on both Calle 66 and Calle 81a.

There are no facilities on site so do come prepared with water. Just outside the exit on Calle 66 to the left is a ‘Six’ convenience store where you can buy the very necessary ice creams and cold water required after an hour or so exploring in the cemetery.

Every Wednesday there is an evening tour of the cemetery (all in Spanish). You can find out more about this in my full Merida article.

How Best To Explore the Cementerio General

Monument of Socialists

The cemetery is arranged with two roads running through the middle of it, Calle 90 (off 81A) and the continuation of Calle 66. These meet at a small roundabout. Google maps suggests a small museum just off the roundabout but I’ve not noticed the building ever being open to the public.

Merida is a fabulous city with so much to see and do, without checking out this article you may miss something fabulous!

Standing at this roundabout, you have the Socialists’ Monument on one side (the large yellow construction). This is a monument to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, an assassinated governor of (and hero to many in) Yucatan, and his brothers. He was shot, in 1924, in the cemetery and apparently it is possible to see exactly where he, and his eleven comrades, were killed if you search the cemetery.

Back along Calle 66 you can find the mausoleums to various groups of people. My personal favourite is the mausoleum to the league of henequen workers. Check out the detail on the coffins. Don’t just stick to the path, get right in there and meander alongside the graves and mausoleums, read the inscriptions, see who these people were and really feel the history of the region.

Right near the exit on Calle 66 are a number of ‘hole in the wall graves’. I find these particularly fascinating for the disparity with some of the more opulent resting places.

Heading down Calle 91 you’ll see an organised jumble of brightly painted, ornate mausoleums, many resembling real houses, engraved with touching words from loved ones. Watch out for open graves though, as some sections are less well cared for that others. As long as you don’t actively jump around the graves, walking around them with respect is perfectly acceptable here. I’ve been a few times and no one has ever said anything to me. I’ve stopped to chat with families tending to their loved ones’ graves and everyone has been very welcoming.

Given how interesting the cemetery is when there’s nothing interesting going on, imagine how cool Dia Muertos must be!

If you’re into seeing the ‘quirky’ side of Merida, how about the train museum next? Or maybe, since it’s close by, Merida’s stunning street art and castacan area of Xcalachen? Or perhaps a day trip or two?

And, if the kids are hungry, then check out this guide to kid-friendly restaurants in Merida.