La Isla de las Muñecas: Mexico City's creepiest attraction

Inside La Isla de las Muñecas: Mexico's Haunted Island of the Dolls

There’s a place hidden within the canals of Xochimilco, Mexico City, that will send chills down your spine—La Isla de las Muñecas, or The Island of the Dolls. This is no ordinary island paradise. Instead of swaying palms or golden beaches, it’s a twisted tapestry of weather-worn, dismembered dolls hanging eerily from trees and nailed to walls, their lifeless eyes watching your every move.

This is not just one of the most bizarre destinations in Mexico—it's been ranked among the top 50 scariest places on Earth. But what’s the story behind this macabre attraction? Is it just an art installation gone wrong, or is there something truly supernatural at play?

Let’s dive into the haunting legacy of Don Julian and his obsession with dolls, ghosts, and what lies beneath the still waters of Xochimilco.

👻 The Legend of Don Julian and the Drowned Girl

Back in the 1950s, a man named Don Julian Santana Barrera chose a solitary life on a tiny island in the Xochimilco canal system. A recluse by nature, Don Julian's quiet existence took a dark turn when he discovered the body of a young girl, drowned under mysterious circumstances near his home.

Shortly afterward, he found a doll floating in the canal. Believing it belonged to the girl, he hung it on a tree as a tribute—and possibly to ward off her restless spirit.

But that wasn’t the end. Don Julian claimed to be haunted by the girl’s ghost, and in a growing frenzy of fear or devotion—or perhaps madness—he began to collect dolls. He scavenged them from trash heaps, bargained in markets, and pulled them from the murky canal, hanging them throughout the island.

Limbless, headless, decomposing—these weren’t your average dolls. With thousands eventually hung across the island, it became a surreal, nightmarish forest of plastic and porcelain stares.

💀 The Island Gets Even Darker

In 2001, after nearly 50 years of collecting and displaying dolls, Don Julian was found dead—drowned in the exact spot where he claimed to have found the little girl.

The eerie coincidence fueled tales that he had finally joined the spirits he spent half a century honoring. Some say the dolls absorbed his spirit, and whispers are heard among the trees to this day.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the haunting vibe of the island is very, very real.

🚤 How to Visit the Island of the Dolls

Getting there is part of the adventure. You’ll need to head to the colorful docks of Xochimilco, about an hour from downtown Mexico City. From there, you’ll hop on a traditional trajinera (a flat-bottomed boat), which will take you through a maze of ancient canals, originally built by the Aztecs.

💡 Tip: Many boats will take you to replica doll islands, so be sure to ask specifically for Don Julian’s original island—it’s deeper into the canal system and typically costs more to reach.

Expect to pay around 3,900 pesos ($150 USD) for a 5-hour round trip boat rental, which accommodates up to 20 people. So, bring your squad, split the cost, and prepare for a day unlike any other.

🎭 What to Expect When You Arrive

The island itself is surreal—a fever dream of forgotten toys and decaying memories. The dolls are everywhere: tied to tree branches, nailed to walls, stuffed into crevices, and even displayed inside a shed alongside photographs of Don Julian himself.

Some dolls are missing eyes, others are headless, and many are covered in layers of grime, mold, or cobwebs. It’s unsettling. It’s grotesque. And it’s utterly mesmerizing.

If you're brave enough, you can visit during dusk or nighttime for an even more spine-tingling experience. Locals and visitors alike have reported hearing whispers, giggles, or footsteps when no one else is around. Paranormal or not, the atmosphere is enough to raise goosebumps.

🎒 What to Bring (And What Not To)

• Bring a doll to add to the collection if you dare.
• Pack snacks and drinks, or stop at one of the floating vendors along the way.
• Dress comfortably and wear sunscreen—the boat rides can last several hours.
• Avoid loud music or parties out of respect for the eerie atmosphere (and the boatman’s nerves!).

🧠 A Mix of Fact, Legend, and Madness

While the official record shows no documented drowning of a girl in that area, Don Julian’s story—and his obsession—is very real. Whether driven by grief, guilt, or ghosts, he turned his isolation into a lasting and uniquely disturbing legacy.

Visitors now continue the tradition, hanging new dolls to this day. Famous names like Tim Burton and Kirk Hammett of Metallica have paid tribute to the island’s bizarre magic, further fueling its cult status.

Whether you believe in spirits or not, La Isla de las Muñecas is one of the most unforgettable island experiences on Earth. It's not for the faint of heart—but it’s perfect for Isla Guru travelers craving the strange, the surreal, and the story-rich.

So, would you dare visit?

Whether you're a lover of the paranormal, a collector of curiosities, or just looking for an adventure far off the beaten path, La Isla de las Muñecas offers a story and a spectacle like no other.