Tourists Beware — Here are 13 of the Most Haunted Places on Earth

Island of the Dolls — Xochimilco, Mexico

The Isla de las Munecas, or Island of the Dolls, is a small island between the Xochimilco canals about 28 kilometers south of Mexico City. The island earned its name from its rather tragic past.

Don Julian Santana Barrera, the caretaker and only resident of the island, found a young girl who drowned in the canals. A doll was found floating further down the canal that likely belonged to the young girl. Don Julian pulled the doll from the water and hung it up as a way of showing respect for the girl’s spirit.

Don Julian soon found himself haunted and tormented by the spirit. Seemingly driven by an unexplained force, he spent 50 years collecting dolls to display around the island before his own tragic drowning in the canal, in the same spot where the girl had died.

Stories say that the dolls on the island are inhabited by the girl’s spirit. The dolls can be seen moving their head or arms, some even blink. Some reports say that the dolls can be heard whispering to each other and luring boats in the canal to come to the island.

Though it was never intended as a tourist destination, you can find a small boat that will be willing you to take you. Directions and average pricing for the boats are available on the Isla de las Munecas official website. Be sure to watch the time though, as you don’t want to be stranded on the island after dark.