Behind-the-Screams | Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America at Halloween Horror Nights 2025

Having grown up in a Latin American household, I am all too familiar with the tales of terror passed down through the generations. The disembodied cries that echo through the night, ghostly figures beckoning you to follow, otherworldly creatures here to eat you alive… ¡ay, que miedo!

The legends of Latin America have survived for centuries and are as an integral part of our cultures as our languages and history. Ask any Latino and they will tell you of how their abuelitos used these tales to scare children into behaving. They will tell you of friends and family who swear they’ve encountered these monsters in real life. Or better yet, you just might hear of a personal near-death experience with a terrifying creature out for revenge!

This year, at Universal Studios Hollywood, you too will come face-to-face with three of these horrifying legends in Monstruos 3: the Ghosts of Latin America during Halloween Horror Nights 2025. Prepare to meet our old friend Muerte, who will tell us of La Muelona, La Siguanaba, and La Llorona — each of these mythical women eager to sink their teeth into mortal flesh and hear you scream.

As Muerte would say, “Vengan, mis amigos. Let me tell you a story.”

Welcome to el Cementerio de los Perdidos  

Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) has been bringing Latin American myths and legends to life for several years, with the haunted houses Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America in 2023 and Monstruos: The Nightmares of Latina America in 2024. This year, the third installment of the Monstruos series takes us back to the Cementerio de los Perdidos, which has been the setting for all of the previous Monstruos houses. However, as we look around, we’ll notice that we’re in a different part of the graveyard that we’ve never explored before. This is where children are buried and where our old friend Muerte is waiting.

“Muerte is the only original character we created for the [Monstruos series],” says Universal Studios Hollywood creative director and executive producer John Murdy. “He’s the grave digger and caretaker of this place. He’s setting up the story for our guests as they’re waiting in line.”

This part of the cemetery is old. The once-bright pastel paint has faded and begun to peel off of the graves. The flower bouquets have all withered and died. The only things that seem to be alive are the mold that festers on the grave markers and a black cat that growls and hisses at the wind. As we watch, Muerte appears, carrying a lantern in one skeletal hand. He tells us of the ghostly monsters that dwell in this cemetery, the monsters that caused the death of all of these children: La Muelona, La Siguanaba, and La Llorona.

Fans of the Monstruos series know that Muerte is always up to some mischief. In years past, he spent the entire maze digging out a grave for us or spelling out his name using bones he dug up. This year, he’ll be following us through the house, while repeating a bone-chilling refrain: Are you afraid of the dark?  

As horrifying as his stories are, Muerte does have a soft spot: Oscura, the little black cat we’ll see in the cemetery belongs to him. “We thought, ‘Well, our fans have gotten to know Muerte over the last few years so why don’t we introduce something more about him that guests didn’t know,’” Murdy says. “He has a pet. He has a little ghost cat that hangs out in the cemetery with him.”

Oscura translates to “Darkness” in Spanish. And if that’s the darkness Muerte is talking about, it can’t be all that scary… right?

The Legends Behind the Ghosts

Every version of the Monstruos maze features different monsters from Latin America. This year, the focus will be on three terrifying female ghosts: La Muelona, La Siguanaba, and La Llorona.

If you didn’t grow up with these stories and have no idea what to expect, fear not! (OK, maybe fear a little.) Here’s a brief introduction to each of the three monsters that will now and forever haunt your nightmares.

La Muelona

Our first ghost comes from Colombia and Venezuela. She is known by many names: La Muelona (woman with big molars), La Colmilona (woman with big fangs), or La Dientona (woman with big teeth). You can probably see where this is going.

Because these legends were passed down orally over the span of centuries, La Muelona has many different origin stories. Some say she was cursed by her husband, who found out about her many infidelities. Others claim she was a witch who chose her own fate. Whatever her origin may be, one thing is agreed upon: La Muelona takes on the appearance of a gorgeous young woman in order to seduce unfaithful men. Once the men have followed her into the forest, La Muelona will produce her large, terrifying teeth and eat them alive!

La Siguanaba

The story of La Siguanaba is one told throughout Mexico and Central America, with her name rooted in the indigenous languages of Mesoamerica. She usually appears to men, naked and beautiful, her face hidden behind her long, dark hair. Once she has lured men into the forests, she will finally expose her face, revealing the rotted head of a horse.  

Most men who see her will die of fright or else go completely insane, doomed to wander the forests forever.

La Llorona

La Llorona is one of the most well-known Latina American legends. She has made several appearances in past HHN mazes. Her story begins as a young bride who gives birth to two children. When she finds out her husband is unfaithful, she drowns her children in a river in a blind fit of rage. After realizing what she’s done she becomes consumed with remorse and regret. She spends the rest of eternity wandering the earth, crying, “¡Ay, mis hijos! Oh, my children!”

Anyone who encounters La Llorona or hears her wails echoing throughout the night are in danger. There’s no knowing when or where La Llorona will strike. She’ll drag you to your death as she once dragged her own children down to the river. 

And the Monstruos Keep Coming!

The Monstruos series has now brought Latin American legends to life for three consecutive years. This series is particularly important to John, as it gives a lot of Latino fans representation that they might not find at other Halloween events. And for the fans who didn’t grow up with these stories, John is excited that HHN is where they’ll encounter these legends for the first time.

“I love that we’re bringing Latin American culture to them,” Murdy says. “These stories have existed in Latin America for centuries and we’re bringing them to a modern audience. I think that’s just very cool and unique.”

And just because this is our third time in a Monstruos maze, that doesn’t mean it’ll be any less terrifying. “We’re going to switch it up for the guests this year,” Murdy assures. “We’ve trained them on how our Monstruos house is structured. So now we’re going to use that to our advantage and turn the tables. There’s going to be scares in places that they don’t expect, just to twist the knife a little bit.”

Prepare to come face-to-face with La Muelona, La Siguanaba, and La Llorona as you walk through Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America, this year during Halloween Horror Nights.

So, my friends, are you afraid of the dark?

Secure your HHN tickets right here and let us know what you find exciting about the Monstruos series in the comments below.