Town 8 km northwest of Pátzcuaro
The lake's best-known island, crowned by a giant Morelos statue you can climb inside, a short boat ride from Pátzcuaro's pier.
Janitzio is the largest and most visited of the islands in Lake Pátzcuaro, a steep cone of rock covered in houses, stairways and souvenir stalls, home to about 2,300 Purépecha people. Its name is usually translated as "place of few," and from the water it is unmistakable: a monumental statue of the independence hero José María Morelos stands on the summit with its right fist raised.
The statue was the idea of Lázaro Cárdenas when he was governor of Michoacán around 1930. It is hollow, and a stairway climbs past a series of murals by Ramón Alva de la Canal that tell Morelos's life, up to a lookout in the raised fist with a view over the whole lake and its villages.
The island is most famous for the night of November 1, when families carry offerings and candles to the cemetery and keep vigil for their dead, one of the best-known Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. The rest of the year it makes an easy half-day trip: the boat ride, a climb through the lanes, fried fish and charales by the water, and, on the way, fishermen showing off the old butterfly-shaped nets.
What to see and do
Climb the stairs inside the Morelos statue, past the murals, to the lookout in its raised fist.
Wander the steep lanes and stop for fried whitefish, charales and other lake food.
Watch for the fishermen and their butterfly nets on the boat ride.
If you visit on the night of November 1, join the crowds for the candlelit vigil in the cemetery, and book lodging in Pátzcuaro well ahead.
Getting there
Boats leave throughout the day from the Muelle General, Pátzcuaro's main pier, a few minutes by taxi or local bus north of the center; the crossing takes about 25 minutes. Buy a round-trip ticket at the pier; boats return when they fill up.
8 km northwest of Pátzcuaro
Directions from Pátzcuaro on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Isla de Janitzio
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Weather cool
Isla de Janitzio shares the climate of Pátzcuaro, 8 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Pátzcuaro your base
Isla de Janitzio is an easy trip from Pátzcuaro, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Tzintzuntzan · 10 km away
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.