Isla de las Munecas – The Island of the Dolls

I was casually browsing through Instagram one lazy Sunday morning when I came across a string of images of ‘The Island of Dolls’ in Mexico. I thought I was looking at the set design of some new horror movie, but to my surprise found this was a real world location and only a two hour canal ride away from Mexico City. Being an avid reader and viewer of all things creepy, I thought this would the perfect destination for a horror movie fan like me.

Doll Island. Photo credit – Bec Plumbe, Flickr.

The legend of the island involves a man by the name of Don Julian Santana, who lived on the island as a caretaker, having left his family to live out his years as a recluse. Upon arriving at the island Santana soon discovered the body of a young girl who had drowned in a canal, and later found a toy doll floating nearby which he believed belonged to the little girl. As a mark of respect, Santana hung the doll in a tree, to help the girl’s spirit pass along. Thereafter he was reportedly haunted by the spirit of the young girls ghost, and in an attempt to appease her restless spirit, he began collecting dolls and stringing them up in the trees and throughout the island.

Photo credit – Kevin, Flickr.

There are local legends that the dolls themselves were possessed by the spirits of the dead, and according to those close to him Don Julian Santana was moved by a mysterious external force which completely changed his life. Whether Santana’s actions were part and parcel of an occult mystery, or the innocent tribute to the young girl he had found dead, Isla de las Munecas remains a tourist attraction for thrill seekers, photographers and lovers of all things creepy. Perhaps the most chilling aspect of the tale is that after almost 50 years of collecting dolls in 2001, Santana’s body was found drowned in the same place as he had found the body of the girl.

Photo credit – Kevin, Flickr.

The island to this day remains shrouded in mystery, with visitors claiming they have seen the dolls heads and limbs move, even claims of hearing whispers moving through the trees. In the present day thousands of visitors flock to the island each year eager to catch a glimpse of the urban legend.

Time has left it’s mark on the Islands many dolls. Some have been there for decades, truly weather beaten and in varying states of decay.

Photo credit – Kevin, Flickr.

The island is just 28km away from Mexico City Visitors can catch a ferry there from the Embarcedero Cuemanco or Embarcadero Fernando Celada, and it’s about a four-hour round trip. However not all ferry’s stop at the island so be sure to ask ahead.