Ghostly Myths of Costa Rica
Costa Rican folklore has several stories of strange mythical creatures. Some of these are shared between Central America and other Spanish-speaking countries. The tales usually teach lessons, where the horrible antagonists haunt those who misbehave.
El Cadejos
El Cadejos, also known as “Cadejo” in other countries, is a big spectral dog with jagged black fur and red eyes that glow in the dark like hot coals. When this creature is nearby, it snarls and howls, and the sound of the heavy chains that hang from its neck can be heard. El Cadejos manifests and haunts those who wonder drunk late at night. Some say this dog actually acts like a protector, scaring people away from other dangers that may be lurking in the darkness. Others say those who make it are simply prey that Cadejos missed.
La Cegua
Once a beautiful lady now cursed for her narcissism, La Cegua, also known as Segua or Tzegua, is a creature with a curvy and attractive body and the head of a horrendous mare. She wanders at night looking for promiscuous men hoping someone someday calls her gorgeous again. Hiding her head, La Cegua lures others with her body, but, once close, those who catch a glimpse of her hideous face go insane and run away.
La Llorona
La Llorona’s story has different details depending on the country. In the Costa Rican version, she used to be a simple farm girl with a huge desire for status. She put all her efforts into becoming a part of the most prestigious social circles in San José. A wealthy yet immature and dishonest man promised her many things, left her pregnant and abandoned her. She gave birth alone, hiding from her family and friends. Then, blinded by shame, she tossed her newborn daughter into a river. Now living as a cursed spirit, La Llorona can be found near rivers looking for her baby and breaking the silence of the night with her screams of sorrow.
Los Duendes
Translated as “The Gnomes”, these creatures are known to cause trouble and mischief. They like to steal things like socks, pots, documents and money and to trash rooms and cause mess. You must beware of the gnomes also like to take children and get them lost in the woods. Sometimes these “duendes” will get attached to certain families. If they dislike those in the household, they will try to make their lives as hard as possible. On the other hand, if they like the house dwellers, they will clean and even cook for their humans.
The Ox-less Ox Cart
This Costa Rican myth has many versions that are very different from one another. The mostly broadly accepted one is the story of Pedro “El Malo” (Evil Pedro).
Pedro was a greedy and cruel man who hated native Costa Ricans and didn’t take values nor religion seriously. One day, while trying to drive his ox cart into his town’s church, the priest forbid his entry. To this declaration, the ox stopped and walked no further, despite Pedro’s whippings. The priest cursed Pedro and his cart, but forbid the ox for obeying the word of God. And so, to this day, the ghost of Pedro and his ox cart still wanders at night through towns and near homes where people are conflictive, greedy, and immoral.
These are only a few of the ghost stories Costa Rica has. If you would like to check more myths out, we invite you to read our article in the description below.
Worry not and rest assured you are safe in Costa Rica, for these tales aren’t real after all. Or are they?
Written in collaboration with Maria Fernanda Fernandez.