Playas del Coco located in the Province of Guanacaste, (named after a national tree), remains a popular destination for Costa Ricans and tourists.
Most of Guanacaste's population descended from a mix of Spanish and indigenous Indians called Chorotegas, but the culture has successfully integrated into the mainstream. Amongst the traditions found throughout are music, literature, folklore, bullfighting, fiestas and religious events that make life at the beach a part of Pura Vida.
The folklore contains many legends including The Priest without a Head about a little church that appears at the end of a lonely street where bells ring at midnight. The priest says mass with his back to the congregation; when he turns to give the final blessing they realize he has no head. Those who attended the service wake up in the middle of the street, fearing they have been chased by a demon.
However young and old men alike speak in hushed tones about La Mona, appearing to be frightened by the story. If someone is willing to tell you about the half monkey, half woman that lives in the forest and appears only on the darkest of nights, he will whisper the tale and may end by claiming it happened to him.
Coco Beach
He definitely will warn that if a man is walking alone in the dark and hears La Mona's laughter, he'd better run for his life because if La Mona touches him on the head, he will become insane. What kind of laughter, you might ask? At first it sounds like a child's but the closer she gets, it becomes terrifyingly hysterical.
Another legend features a painted oxcart without oxen called La Carreta sin Bullocks or Bueyes. Without lamps city streets were very dark and having no TV, people went to bed early Traditionally associated with someone who is parsimonious or becoming very cheap, that person would awaken to hear a cart rumble pass and fear something supernatural was in it because no hooves resounded.
Art and Culture 
