Place: The Island of the Dolls (Isla de las Muñecas)
Location: Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
Phone: Not readily available
Hours: Accessible via guided boat tours; hours vary by operator
Admission: Tour prices vary; approximately $100 USD for a 4-hour trajinera (boat) ride
Website: isladelasmunecas.com
History: The Island of the Dolls, known locally as Isla de las Muñecas, is a small island located in the canals of Xochimilco, south of Mexico City’s center. In the mid-20th century, Don Julián Santana Barrera became the island’s caretaker.
According to legend, he discovered the body of a young girl who had drowned in the canal and, shortly thereafter, found a doll floating nearby. Believing the doll belonged to the deceased child, he hung it on a tree as a sign of respect and to ward off evil spirits.
Over the next five decades, Barrera collected and displayed hundreds of dolls, often in various states of decay, throughout the island. After his death in 2001, the island became a tourist attraction, drawing visitors intrigued by its eerie history and appearance.
Hauntings: Visitors to the Island of the Dolls have reported unsettling experiences, including claims that the dolls move their heads and arms, open their eyes, and even whisper to each other.
Some believe these occurrences are linked to the spirit of the drowned girl, while others attribute them to the presence of Barrera’s spirit. The island’s dense collection of weathered dolls, many missing limbs or heads, contributes to an atmosphere that many describe as profoundly eerie.
Personal Experiences: While numerous visitors have recounted eerie sensations and claimed paranormal encounters, specific documented personal experiences are limited. Many reports are anecdotal, with individuals describing feelings of unease, sensing unseen presences, or hearing whispers among the trees. However, detailed, verifiable personal accounts are scarce.
Paranormal Activity Rating: High (Frequent activity)
The Island of the Dolls is renowned for its unsettling ambiance and the numerous reports of paranormal phenomena, making it a focal point for those interested in the supernatural.
The Island of the Dolls can be found in the Xochimilco canals, about 28 km south of Mexico City. If you want to go there you need to know that it is not particularly easy to reach the island.
The best bet is to take a ferry from Embarcadero Cuemanco or from Embarcadero Fernando Celada. The duration of the trip will vary depending on what boat you take
Getting to the island
The trip might be around 3-4 hours if you wish to visit the canals as well, so make sure you have enough time to properly visit the island and the beautiful surrounding canals.
If you take a trajinera directly to the island, the trip shouldn’t last a lot more than two hours depending on your departure point.
For a visual exploration of the island and its haunted history, you might find the following video insightful: