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    White church with red trim and a tall bell tower on Isla La Pacanda, Michoacán

    Photo by Thelmadatter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lake Pátzcuaro and mountains seen from the shore of La Pacanda, Isla La Pacanda, Michoacán

    Photo by Thelmadatter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Passenger boat moored at the dock of Isla La Pacanda, Michoacán

    Photo by Thelmadatter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Cobbled path and flowers looking across the lake from La Pacanda, Isla La Pacanda, Michoacán

    Photo by Thelmadatter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Candlelit graves decorated with flowers on the Night of the Dead, La Pacanda, Isla La Pacanda, Michoacán

    Photo by LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Isla La Pacanda

    Town Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán Lake Pátzcuaro

    A round, farming island in the middle of the lake with an inner lagoon and a famous Day of the Dead, with altars open in homes.

    Reached by boat from Muelle San Pedrito, Pátzcuaro: 45 min each way. How to get there ↓

    Near here

    Plan your visit to Isla La Pacanda

    Where to stay near Isla La Pacanda

    Hotel Boutique Hacienda Ucazanaztacua Hotel · 1.9 km from the center Prices Hotel Colibri 250 mxn Hotel · 7.2 km from the center Prices
    Hotels in Tzintzuntzan Houses on Vrbo

    Tours to Isla La Pacanda

    Day trips around Tzintzuntzan sometimes stop in Isla La Pacanda; a tour is the easy way to see it without a car.

    Tours from Morelia Morelia City Tour ★ 4.9 (115) · From US$33
    Find tours on Viator GetYourGuide Tours from Tzintzuntzan

    How to get to Isla La Pacanda

    • Reached by boat from Muelle San Pedrito, Pátzcuaro: 45 min each way.
    • From Pátzcuaro: about 5 min by road (~5 km)
    • 8 km west of Tzintzuntzan
    • Nearest airport: Uruapan (UPN), 57 min by car to Tzintzuntzan
    Rent a car at UPN Flights to UPN

    Route, map and directions ↓

    Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.

    Tours from Morelia, near Isla La Pacanda

    Morelia City Tour ★ 4.9 (115) 3 h From US$33
    Monarch Butterfly Tour (Departing from Morelia) ★ 5.0 (63) 9–10 h From US$200
    Pátzcuaro Tour From Morelia ★ 5.0 (43) 8 h From US$113
    Patzcuaro & Janitzio Private Tour ★ 5.0 (33) 8 h From US$83
    Monarch Butterfly Private Tour (Morelia) ★ 5.0 (32) 8 h From US$371

    Tours, prices and ratings from Viator, checked weekly. We may earn a commission if you book.

    About Isla La Pacanda

    La Pacanda is the second-largest island in Lake Pátzcuaro, a low, almost round island in the center of the lake that sees far fewer visitors than Janitzio. Its flat land is farmed by the island families, and in the middle there is a small inner lagoon where ducks, herons and carp live. The island has a church, a cemetery and a quiet village, and it is easy to walk or cycle around.

    Pacanda is best known for its Day of the Dead. On the nights of November 1 and 2 the islanders keep a long vigil, with arches, candles, flowers and food in the cemetery, and many families also set up altars in their homes and welcome visitors to see them, which makes the celebration feel more personal than on the busier islands.

    The rest of the year it is a place for a slow, rural day on the lake, and the island has simple community-run cabins for those who want to stay. A zip line connects it with neighboring Yunuén.

    How to get to Isla La Pacanda

    Drive from Pátzcuaro to Muelle San Pedrito, Pátzcuaro: 5 min, 5 km

    Boats to La Pacanda leave from Pátzcuaro's San Pedrito pier and the main pier; the trip takes around 45 minutes, passing Janitzio and Yunuén. From Tzintzuntzan, drive about 20 minutes to the piers. Agree on the return time with your boatman.

    Reached by boat from Muelle San Pedrito, Pátzcuaro: 45 min each way.

    8 km west of Tzintzuntzan

    Directions from Tzintzuntzan on Google Maps

    Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.

    Best with a guide Tours to Isla La Pacanda on Viator With transport and a guide, leaving from nearby towns and cities. See prices →

    Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.

    From the nearest cities to Isla La Pacanda

    • Pátzcuaro · 5 km by road, 5 min to Muelle San Pedrito, Pátzcuaro, then 45 min by boat
    • Morelia · 55 km by road, 45 min to Muelle San Pedrito, Pátzcuaro, then 45 min by boat
    • Uruapan · 56 km by road, 45 min to Muelle San Pedrito, Pátzcuaro, then 45 min by boat

    Drive times by road from OpenStreetMap, without traffic or stops. Times marked ~ are estimated from the straight-line distance.

    What to see in Isla La Pacanda 1

    Sights with their own page, closest to the centre first.

    Map of Isla La Pacanda

    Neighbourhoods and villages of Isla La Pacanda

    Part of Isla La Pacanda or just outside it, closest first.

    Day trips and tours from Isla La Pacanda

    The closest Pueblos Mágicos and places to visit, with the drive from Isla La Pacanda and tours that leave from it.

    Jarácuaro Town · near Pátzcuaro ~5 min · 10 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide
    Tzintzuntzan Pueblo Mágico · Michoacán ~10 min · 10 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide
    Cerro del Estribo Viewpoint · near Pátzcuaro ~15 min · 15 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide
    Pátzcuaro Pueblo Mágico · Michoacán ~15 min · 15 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide
    Lago de Zirahuén Lake · near Santa Clara del Cobre ~25 min · 25 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide
    Santa Clara del Cobre Pueblo Mágico · Michoacán ~25 min · 30 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide
    Tupátaro Landmark · near Pátzcuaro ~25 min · 25 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide
    Paracho Pueblo Mágico · Michoacán ~50 min · 55 km Tours on Viator GetYourGuide

    Times marked ~ are estimated from the distance. Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.

    Before you go: getting to and around Isla La Pacanda

    • The nearest airport is Uruapan (UPN).
    • The best months to go are January, February, March, and April.
    • 2 of the places on this page are more than 3 km from the centre: take a taxi, a ride-hailing app or a local bus.
    • Isla Yunuén and Isla de Janitzio: reached by boat or on foot, not by road (each page says from where).
    • For day trips a rental car gives the most freedom; the tours above leave from Isla La Pacanda.

    Before you go to Isla La Pacanda: hours, prices and tips

    Best season
    Its Day of the Dead is quieter than Janitzio's: an all-night vigil from November 1 to 2, with family altars in homes that visitors may enter. SDP Noticias · checked Oct 2026
    Guide or tour
    Only by boat. The shortest crossing (about 15 minutes) is from the Ucasanastacua pier between Cucuchucho and Tzintzuntzan; boats from Pátzcuaro's San Pedrito pier take about 45 minutes. On the Day of the Dead boats run day and night. Tours: Viator GetYourGuide México Desconocido / SDP Noticias · checked Oct 2026
    What to bring
    On the Day of the Dead, a small offering for the altars (bread, fruit or flowers) is a welcome gesture. SDP Noticias · checked Oct 2026

    Hours and prices change, especially around holidays. Each fact links to where we checked it.

    Visiting Isla La Pacanda: what to see and do

    Walk or cycle around the island and its inner lagoon, watching for ducks and herons.
    See the church and the island cemetery.
    Come for the Day of the Dead vigil on the nights of November 1 and 2, when homes open their altars.
    Cross to Yunuén on the zip line.

    Plan your trip

    Places to stay in Isla La Pacanda

    Hotel Boutique Hacienda Ucazanaztacua Hotel · 1.9 km from the center Find on Expedia Hotel Colibri 250 mxn Hotel · 7.2 km from the center Find on Expedia Hotel Colibri Hotel · 7.2 km from the center Find on Expedia
    See them all on Expedia Booking.com
    Vacation rentals on Vrbo Airbnb

    Tours & activities

    Day trips around Tzintzuntzan sometimes stop in Isla La Pacanda; a tour is the easy way to see it without a car.

    Viator GetYourGuide

    Rental cars

    Pick up a car at UPN (Uruapan): about 57 min by road to Tzintzuntzan, then 8 km more to Isla La Pacanda, on your own schedule.

    EconomyBookings Discover Cars

    Flights

    The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Uruapan (UPN), about 57 min by road from Tzintzuntzan, the base for Isla La Pacanda.

    Kiwi.com

    Travel insurance

    Medical and trip cover for Mexico, by the week or month.

    SafetyWing

    Mobile data

    Signal can drop away from Tzintzuntzan: download a map of the way to Isla La Pacanda before you set out, or carry an eSIM with data.

    Airalo

    Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you. Hotel names from OpenStreetMap.

    Photos

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    When to go to Isla La Pacanda mild

    Isla La Pacanda shares the climate of Tzintzuntzan, 8 km away. The best months to visit are January, February, March, and April.

    See the month-by-month climate of Tzintzuntzan

    Make Tzintzuntzan your base

    Church of San Francisco and its bell tower across the convent atrium, Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán mild
    Michoacán Tzintzuntzan

    Isla La Pacanda is an easy trip from Tzintzuntzan, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.

    Also close to

    Near Isla La Pacanda

    Drive times by road from OpenStreetMap, without traffic. Times marked ~ are estimated from the straight-line distance.

    Something wrong or missing on this page? Suggest a fix or addition

    Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.