Town 8 km southwest of Tzintzuntzan
A small, green and quiet island in the north of the lake, a calmer alternative to Janitzio by boat from Pátzcuaro.
Yunuén is one of the small islands in the middle of Lake Pátzcuaro, a curved strip of land only about 200 meters long whose Purépecha name refers to its bent, crooked shape. While Janitzio fills with souvenir stalls and day-trippers, Yunuén stays green and quiet, covered with pines, oaks and cedars, with herons nesting on its shores and a handful of Purépecha families who fish and farm.
The islanders formed a cooperative to run a small ecotourism center, with rustic wooden cabins, a restaurant serving lake fish and regional dishes, paths around the island and lookouts over the water toward Janitzio and the shore. A zip line links Yunuén with neighboring La Pacanda, one of the more unusual ways to cross part of the lake.
The island has its own legend, of a princess called Hapunda who threw herself into the lake rather than be married off and came back as a heron, and its own Day of the Dead vigil on the nights of November 1 and 2. For most visitors, though, the appeal is simpler: a night or a long afternoon on an island with no traffic and very little noise.
What to see and do
Walk the paths around the island and watch the herons along the shore.
Stay a night in the cooperative's wooden cabins.
Eat white fish or other lake fish at the island restaurant.
Ride the zip line over to neighboring La Pacanda.
Getting there
Boats to Yunuén leave from Pátzcuaro's main pier (Muelle General) and from the San Pedrito pier; the crossing takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes. From Tzintzuntzan, drive about 20 minutes to Pátzcuaro's piers. Arrange your return trip with the boatman, or book the cabins ahead to include transport.
8 km southwest of Tzintzuntzan
Directions from Tzintzuntzan on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Isla Yunuén shares the climate of Tzintzuntzan, 8 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Tzintzuntzan your base
Isla Yunuén is an easy trip from Tzintzuntzan, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Pátzcuaro · 10 km away
More around Tzintzuntzan
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Isla La Pacanda
· Town · 8 km away
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. -
Isla de Janitzio
· Town · 10 km away
Lake Pátzcuaro's famous island with its giant Morelos statue; boats leave from Pátzcuaro's main pier.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.