Janitzio

Janitzio Island. Photo: Sectur.

Janitzio Island, the most visited of Lake Pátzcuaro, in Michoacán, wakes up covered in mist and little by little reveals the beauty of the landscape and the fishers who, with their typical butterfly nets, mark the rhythm of dawn.

Janitzio, which means “corn flower” in Purépecha, is Lake Pátzcuaro’s largest island, in Michoacán, and is currently one of the most visited islands in the lake.

This charming site is a remnant of the Purépecha culture. The inhabitants of this “floating town” lovingly and proudly preserve their clothing and mother tongue, which shapes their vision of the world.

The visitor will be able to climb to the monument in honor of Mexican hero José María Morelos, and from whose lookout point the entire lake and the rest of the islands that comprise it can be appreciated.

During the boat trip it is possible to observe a demonstration of the traditional fishing of the region, which is done with butterfly nets and becomes one of the most popular postcards of the lake.

Lake Pátzcuaro also directly influences the gastronomy and flavors of Janitzio Island, so if you visit it you should not miss out on trying the delicious charales, the white fish to taste, the uchepos or the tamal de ceniza.

This lake, whose name means “Gateway to Heaven,” is the third largest in all of Mexico since it has a basin of 100 square kilometers; without this natural wonder, the development of the Purépecha culture could not be understood. Pátzcuaro was also the first magical town to ban single-use plastics, which also has an impact on the lake by reducing the waste thrown in it by some irresponsible people.

Famous for the way it celebrates the Day of the Dead, in this Mexican town each person offers an altar with characteristics of the deceased, to call them to enjoy a banquet prepared with what they liked most in life. The flowers are the most important element on the path and in the arches, since the smell of the cempasuchil flower is said and believed to attract them and guide them to this encounter.

Being one of the towns in Michoacán most visited by tourists, its inhabitants are prepared every year to turn it into a paradise on earth, and for everyone to enjoy a party where life and death shake hands.