It is October, the month when Halloween takes over along with its spooky stories, tales, movies and costume parties. Even though this is not a Costa Rican celebration, many enjoy decorating their houses, kids (and even some adults) love dressing up, after all we all enjoy a good scary story.

Costa Rica holds its own when it comes to spooky stories, myths and urban legends, which are part of its culture and folklore. Here are a couple you may like:

The Segua:
This is the story of a beautiful young woman, with white skin, dark hair and big dark eyes, who was cursed because she was always disrespectful to her family, this beautiful woman stands by the side of solitary roads usually late at night or before the sun rises, looking heavenly and vulnerable she appears only to men that are out late drinking and who are unfaithful; her charms are impossible to resist and when the man stops to offer her a ride she usually neglects at first but she is easily persuaded into accepting the offer, as they get comfortable with her, they fall for her charms, and as they get close to kiss her, her voice changes, her scent is of death and her face is similar to the skeleton of a horse, the impression is such that her victim usually dies, and is found with eyes and mouth open in horror.

The Oxcart without Oxen:

According to the legend, a witch whose name was Epifania used to live in the Escazú area and had fallen in love with one of the most handsome young men in the community, he was a catholic, and initially, knowing she was a witch, he would stay away from her, but eventually Epifania using her magic managed to get involved with him, they lived together many years, in that time the man changed and became more and more like her. When he was older he fell ill and before he died he told Epifania that his last wish was to receive the Holy Oils and have a catholic funeral in the local church. The witch went many times to try to speak to the priest who rejected her petition each time. When her husband passed away, Epifania saddened and pained put the body in the oxcart, she headed toward the church and as they got close to the entrance she hit the oxen to make them go in but they refused; the priest cursed her, the witch went crazy casting a spell that made her into a ghost, some nights the community would hear the sound of the wheels of an oxcart with no oxen pulling it, and they knew then that someone close was going to die that night.

This are just two of many Costa Rican urban legends.