Hotel Rivera

Published by Aaron Perez

1/5/2026

    Nestled in the bustling border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, just across from El Paso, Texas, stands the skeletal remains of what was once a symbol of luxury and leisure: the Hotel Riviera. Located on Paseo Triunfo de la República, next to the site of the former Monumental Bullring, this abandoned structure has become a magnet for urban explorers, ghost hunters, and locals whispering tales of tragedy. Today, it's a crumbling relic surrounded by modern conveniences like a Walmart and a Starbucks, but its past is anything but ordinary. What started as a glamorous retreat in the 1950s ended in horror, leading to decades of abandonment and rumors of a curse that keeps it eternally forsaken.

    In the 1950s, the Hotel Riviera was the epitome of border-town elegance. It wasn't just a hotel; it was a full-fledged recreational center, complete with sparkling pools, lush palm trees, and manicured gardens that served as an oasis amid the desert heat. Wealthy families from Juarez and beyond flocked here for family vacations, social gatherings, and lively parties. The highlight? The city's tallest diving board, where daring kids would leap into the cool waters below, spending entire days splashing around. As night fell, the terrace came alive with music and dancing, offering stunning views of the El Paso skyline and the Franklin Mountains. Guests could mingle in their swimsuits or nightgowns, sipping cocktails at the mahogany bar until dawn. It was a place where the affluent youth of Juarez escaped the everyday, creating memories that would later contrast sharply with its dark fate.

Image Credit: Zahara Gómez Lucini

    `The hotel's idyllic reputation shattered in the mid-1960s with a gruesome incident that locals still recount with a mix of horror and fascination. In 1965, a young woman named Irma Escudero, just 20 years old and working at the nearby Victor’s bar on Madero and Galeana streets, met a tragic end at the Riviera. According to accounts, she was invited for drinks by two young men from prominent Juarez families. What followed was unthinkable: Irma was raped, beaten, and murdered, her body crucified on the pool's ascending staircase in the shape of a cross. Early-morning employees discovered her, tied grotesquely to the structure. Rumors swirled that the perpetrators were part of the notorious "Los Picapiedra" gang, involved in robberies, thefts, and drug trafficking.

    That same summer, another chilling murder rocked the city—Rosario Arellano, an employee at a local soda fountain, was tortured, raped, and killed by Gregorio Aguirre and Francisco Flores Larrinúa, further linking the events to the gang. The news of Irma's death mysteriously vanished from newspapers, and the Hotel Riviera closed its doors the very next day, never to reopen. Some versions of the story claim the body was hidden in the changing rooms beneath the pool, adding to the site's eerie aura. Was it a cover-up to protect influential families? The truth remains buried, but the incident marked the beginning of the hotel's "curse."

Image Credit: Zahara Gómez Lucini

    Since its closure over five decades ago, the Hotel Riviera has earned a reputation as one of Mexico's most haunted abandoned sites. Urban legends abound, with tales of restless spirits wandering the decayed halls. The pool area, where the murder occurred, is said to be the epicenter of paranormal activity. Visitors report hearing faint echoes of laughter turning into screams, or feeling an inexplicable chill near the rusted staircase.

    One of the most compelling stories comes from Juan, the longtime guardian of the property. He's lived among the ruins since he was 15, even sleeping in the space beneath the pool where the body was allegedly hidden. Juan claims that ghosts initially tormented him—whispers in the night, shadows moving on their own—but over time, they've reached a peaceful coexistence. "Now, we live in peace," he's been quoted as saying. Whether these are the spirits of Irma and other victims or simply the echoes of a violent past, the site draws those seeking thrills, though it's technically off-limits and fraught with dangers like collapsing structures.

Image Credit: Zahara Gómez Lucini

    Today, the Hotel Riviera is a shadow of its former self. The once-vibrant pools are filled with debris, weeds choke the gardens, and the motel rooms stand in utter disrepair. Despite its prime location, attempts to redevelop the site have repeatedly failed, fueling beliefs in a genuine curse. It's a poignant reminder of how quickly glamour can turn to decay, especially when stained by bloodshed. If you're in Juarez, you might catch a glimpse from the road, but venturing inside? That's a risk best left to the brave—or the foolish.

    The story of the Hotel Riviera isn't just about a haunted hotel; it's a window into the darker undercurrents of mid-20th-century border life, where privilege and peril intertwined. As the city moves forward, this forsaken spot remains frozen in time, guarding its secrets and perhaps its spirits. If walls could talk, what horrors would they reveal?

Sources:

Villagrana, Luis. "La maldición del Riviera, el edificio eternamente abandonado." Norte Digital, 17 Jan. 2021, nortedigital.mx/la-maldicion-del-riviera-el-edificio-eternamente-abandonado/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.

"The Dark and Terrifying Story of the Famous Hotel in Ciudad Juárez." YouTube, 25 Aug. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-KrzxToyfc. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.