Many horror stories revolve around the forced recruitment by the cartels. Young people, especially in poverty - stricken areas, are forced to join the cartels. If they refuse, they and their families are threatened. Once in the cartel, they are made to do all sorts of illegal and dangerous things.
There's the story of the Tijuana Cartel. They were extremely violent in their control of the Tijuana area. There were reports of them having a network of assassins. They'd carry out hits on anyone they considered a threat, including journalists who were trying to expose their activities. This led to a climate of fear in Tijuana where people were afraid to speak out against the cartel.
One common horror story is getting scammed. For example, some tourists are charged exorbitant prices for simple things like a bottle of water in tourist areas. Another is about transportation problems. Taxis might take you on a long detour just to charge you more. Also, food poisoning can be a big issue. You might eat at a local place thinking it's safe, but end up with a bad stomach for days.
Sure. There are stories of the cartels brutally murdering those who oppose them. Innocent bystanders have been caught in the crossfire, and their lives ended in a senseless way. For example, some villages have been raided, and people were killed just to send a message to rivals or the authorities.
The extreme violence is the most terrifying. They use murder, torture, and threats so casually. It's like life means nothing to them.
One common theme is the influence of Mexican folklore. For example, stories often feature creatures like La Llorona, a weeping woman from legend. Another theme is the use of historical settings such as old haciendas or ancient Aztec ruins, which add an air of mystery.
One major horror story is related to accommodation. There have been cases where people booked a place online that looked great in the pictures but when they arrived, it was a dump. Dirty rooms, no hot water, and sometimes even bedbugs. And in some remote areas, there can be issues with wildlife. I've heard of travelers waking up to find snakes or large spiders in their rooms. It's really terrifying for those who are not used to such encounters.
One common theme is the presence of supernatural elements deeply rooted in Mexican folklore, like La Llorona. She is a weeping woman often associated with death and loss. Another theme is the use of old, haunted locations such as abandoned haciendas or ancient cemeteries which add to the spooky atmosphere. Also, themes related to family curses are quite prevalent where the actions of ancestors haunt the present - generation family members.
One common element is accommodation issues like overbooking or dirty rooms. Another is problems with food, such as getting food poisoning. Also, issues with transportation, like unreliable rental cars or getting scammed by taxi drivers.
Poor hygiene is a common one. In some stories, the dental tools are not properly sterilized, which can lead to infections. For example, a patient might get a gum infection after a routine cleaning just because the tools were dirty.
Well, there are stories of the cartels' kidnappings. They'd target wealthy businessmen or even tourists sometimes. They'd hold them for ransom and if the ransom wasn't paid, they'd torture and kill the victims. It's terrifying to think that people could just disappear like that while traveling in Mexico.