When you were younger, it is very likely your parents told you stories of mythical creatures
like the boogeyman preying on bad children in order to scare you straight.
But do those stories compare to these Latin American urban legends?
Welcome to the 5 Terrifying Latin American Urban Legends
Number 5
Probably the most well known Latin American mythical creature is the Chupacabra.
The name literally translates to “goat-sucker” as it is known to go around farms and suck
the blood out of livestock, most commonly, goats.
This creature was first reported to be seen in Puerto Rico in March of 1995.
In this first reported sight, eight goats were discovered dead, completely drained of
blood.
The chupacabra was also seen again that year, only a few months later, where around 150
animals were allegedly killed.
Since each animal killed had been drained of all of its blood, many people started to
believe that this was not a creature attacking the animals, but a satanic cult.
After these attacks in Puerto Rico were published, more and more attacks were reported, but this
time not just in Puerto Rico, but all over the south american continent, and even up
to Mexico and the US.
There are many different descriptions of what the chupacabra really does look like, the
most popular being a reptilian creature with green skin and red eyes.
It is also said to have a giant spike going down its back.
Other descriptions say it is a hairless wolf-like creature.
There has also been an of investigation trying to track down the chupacabra.
So if you see it anywhere well good luck.
Number 4
Just like the North American Boogeyman, El Coco (or cuco) is a legend used to scare kids
into behaving themselves.
Often compared to the devil, El Coco will look out for children that misbehave, and
go to their homes.
Once El Coco gets to the child, it is said that he either eats them whole, or brings
the child to a scary place faw way of no return.
This legend originated in Portugal, and took the form of a ghost with a pumpkin head.
The story behind this legend is that a man who suffered from tuberculosis was extremely
desperate in finding a cure.
He was so desperate that he went to a native healer to get a cure.
This healer told him that he must drink the blood of children in order to be cured.
So now he roams the streets in search of misbehaving children.
As this legend spread across the south american world, El Coco’s appearance changed.
He is now described as a shape-shifting being that is very ugly and scary to look at.
Some even say he takes the shape of shadows on the wall that shouldn't be there.
He hides anywhere in a child’s room.
From behind the curtains to under the bed.
Other people also say that El Coco is about the size of a fairy, and has piercing red
eyes.
The stories of El Coco are commonly told as lullabies to children.
One of which directly translates to “Sleep child, sleep now… here comes the Coco and
he will eat you”.
Number 3 La llorona (pronounced yo-ro-na) is a ghost
that takes the shape of a weeping woman who haunts rivers and canals.
She is a popular legend in that there have been many movies and songs based on her.
The legend says that la llorona was a beautiful woman named Maria, who had kids and a husband.
But, her husband left her for a younger, more beautiful woman.
Maria decided to get revenge on her husband.
She did so by drowning her children in a river.
She realized soon after that her only children are dead.
Grief stricken and she drowned herself as well.
She goes to heaven's gates and learns that she is not allowed to enter until she finds
her children.
So now Maria’s weeping ghost is forced to wander the rivers and canals at night in search
for her children.
It is said that la llorona will kidnap children that resemble hers and beg them to forgive
her for drowning them.
She then drowns them again in order to go to heaven, but never makes it.
Also, if you happen to be walking the streets at night and hear her weeping, you’re marked
for death so don't even bother running.
Believe it or not, this legend is told to children in order to keep them from staying
out late.
Number 2 La Mala Hora (pronounced Mah-la or-a), also
known as the evil-doer, is an evil demon that is known to be scarier than the devil himself.
She will stay late at night at dark intersections on isolated roads and wait for a lonely traveler
to cross paths with her.
Mala hora changes shapes and sizes constantly and rapidly.
She starts off as a large black blob of mass.
If you see la mala hora,she will do her best to literally drive you insane...to death.
When the time is right, she will rush up to her new target and strangle them.
Most people will refuse to talk about this evil demon, in fear of course that she will
find them.
Other legends say that she takes the shape of an evil old woman.
This woman wears all black, and floats along the side of the road.
Also, it’s important to know that this woman is a death omen.
So if you spot her at an intersection, it is certain that either you or someone you
know will die.
Number 1 El Silbón, known as the whistler in english,
is a tall thin ghost that is known as a death omen.
His story starts off as him being a very spoiled boy.
One day this boy wanted to eat venison for dinner so he sends his father out to hunt
some.
He was taking a while to get this meat so the boy went out to meet with his father.
Only to find him empty handed.
Furious, the boy kills his father.
The boy then cuts up his father and brings that meat home for dinner.
His mother notices how the meat did not at all resemble venison and realises this was
her husband’s body.
She cursed her son for eternity, and got the boy's grandfather to punish him and sent dogs
to hunt him persistently.
Now the boy roams the countryside searching for his next victim.
You will know if you are a victim by his eminent whistle.
If you hear his whistle from up close, you will be safe, but if you hear it from far
away, you are his next target.