La Isla de la Muñecas - the Island of the Dolls - is an island on Teshuilo Lake in the Xochimilco canals. Some believe it’s haunted. Unsurprisingly, Tim Burton once declared it a favorite destination. The history is equal parts creepy, sad and touching. In 1950 Don Julian Santana began to collect dolls to honor and placate the spirit of a young girl who drowned there. He was worried she wasn’t at rest and felt her spirit was calmer and happier when he had dolls around the island. He made it his life’s work. He gathered the dolls from the canals, garbage and also traded produce for them; people who came to visit also left them on the island. Today there are over 3,000 dolls on the island and they draw 26,000 visitors a year. Also noisy goats which added to the overall experience. If you want to go you have to commit. While there is a fake, mini replica right off the main dock, reaching the actual actual island takes two hours of sailing the canal via trajineras. This includes transferring canals via a hydraulic lift. You can explore the island; entrance is only 50 pesos. The experience is worth it IMO especially if you love adventure travel, oddities and spooky tales. #isladelamunecas #atlasobscura #Xochimilco #adventuretravel #islandofthedolls #trajineras #mexicocity #letsgosomewhere