Lake Patzcuaro
Lake Patzcuaro
4.5
About
At over 6,000 feet above sea level, this is one of the highest lakes in the world.
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Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.

Top ways to experience Lake Patzcuaro and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles75 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
22
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
0

Ugo C
Reykjavik, Iceland757 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
Such a beautiful setting. A lake with small islands. The weather was great, the boat to the main island was cheap and the ride there very scenic. The town of Janitzio and all others around the lake are very picturesque. The food was great and the views amazing. Lots to see and do here
Written 17 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cheeseville
San Francisco, CA33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
You'll experience the traditional and more modern takes on the Day of the Dead. We started our Day of the Dead odyssey in Tzintzuntzan and it gets super crowded on November 1st. The cemetery is packed and welcoming. Towards the end of the evening dozens of large busses arrive to take day trippers back where they came. Instead we headed to Pacanda and Yunuen. The residents spend the night in the cemetery in a very traditional heartwarming celebration. From Yunuen we went to Patzcuaro on November 2nd and enjoyed the traditional artisans market. We walked to the cemetery and observed families spending the day with their loved ones. it was crowded buy calm and beautiful. www.MonarchOdyssey will be again offering tours to the area for the Days of the Dead in 2020.
Written 26 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RishaLinda
Jiutepec, Mexico1 028 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Couples
I think Patzcuaro is one of my favorite towns in Mexico. The nearby lake is huge and has an island in the middle called, Janitzio, that is absolutely amazing. Patzcuaro is so clean and quaint that I wish we could have stayed a week longer. It boasts two central parks and lots of great restaurants, cafes and hotels.
Written 25 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Georgina R
Toronto, Canada105 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Couples
There are many small villages around the lake that are worth stopping in. It is best if you hire a local taxi driver who knows the area. The convento at Tzintzuntzan and Nico’s studio and craft market, Santa Fe de La Laguna and the church and Bishop’s house to name a few. If you can get a knowledgeable driver it is another view of the area and he will know where to stop for lunch. It is a “most of the day” trip.
Written 15 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julia S
93 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Couples
Pátzcuaro is your destiny!
Surrounded by nature, at the hearth of Michoacán, México, give it a try!
Look for a go to the island in the boats, or go to the downtown for a walk, try the pasta ice cream, just delicious!
Or simply have a coffee, sit and enjoy :)
Written 13 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Petatlan2014
Calgary, Canada67 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Couples
The island was a great place to visit, which is the primary focus of my review. Upon the approach by water, the giant stature at the central part of the island would be very difficult to miss. The interesting thing I noted were the fishermen on the lake; the same as portrayed on the older 50 peso bills! Pátzcuaro itself, is renowned for the day of the dead (día de los muertos) where the multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. A very memorable trip!
Written 24 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

marcopolo111
Cleveland, Oh2 825 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Solo
A car tour around the lake, less than 70 km is highly recommended to see past cultures and civilizations and an unspoiled Mexico. The view changes continually and the road cross a couple of dozen villages, all unspoiled and devoid of tourism. Most of the villager speaks a prehispanic conquest language and the street food vendors offer a large variety of exceptional food. There are many villages selling local pottery, baskets and leather. Many villages are off the main road around the lake and a detour is worthwhile.
Written 20 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

andrew k
5 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Friends
Since I live in the Patzcuaro area, the lake is a constant companion, and a most pleasant one.
First of all, I am in accord with each of the reviews written before mine (except for the Charales bit, but that is a matter of personal taste!), and I recommend that you read them.
If you visit the island of Janitzio (the major tourist stop), don't just look at the statue of Jose Maria Morelos when you get to the top; spend a few extra pesos, go inside the thing, and climb as far as you can. The view is impressive. There are also a couple of nice restaurants up at the top of the island.
This whole area was the center of the Purepecha Nation, the only Nation to keep the Aztecs at bay. Naturally, Patzcuaro and all the villages around the lake are proud of their pre-Hispanic heritage, and you will hear the Purepecha dialect spoken here almost as much as the Spanish. A drive around the lake, passing through the various villages, is well worth it. The view is constantly changing, and each village has its own history. Stop at Quiroga, named after Don Vasco de Quiroga, if you want to do some shopping (a couple of stores there sell good leather products); also, the sidewalk kiosks at the center of town sell some of the best carnitas I have ever eaten. Another worthwhile stop, for those interested in history and archeology, is Tzintzuntzan ("Sound of the Hummingbird" in Purepecha), the religious center and last Capitol of the Purepecha Nation, now a small village with a very nice archeological park (and small museum). Of course, there is Patzcuaro itself, about which so much has been written. Lots of shopping places, good hotels, nice restaurants.
This whole area has given me a taste of true Mexico; and to anyone who has not visited here, by all means come and enjoy yourselves. You will want to spend the night, as a visit around the lake takes up a pretty long day.
Written 6 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jesadi
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Family
If you go to Patzcuaro, you can not miss the lake it has a beautiful view and there are little ships that can take you to Janitzio island. There is a statue of José María Morelos who is mexican independence hero. You will have a great time. Remember to try "charales" there are little dried or fried fish from the lake.
Written 16 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MartSaz
Morelia, Mexico25 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Family
Patzcuaro has a good history and all architecture is beautiful, but if you want to go to the lake, The main attraction is to travel to one of islands of the lake, you can arrive to the island Janitzio, this is the main island for touristic purposes. The boats depart since 'Muelle General' or 'San Pedrito' dock.

In both docks there are several restaurants with a typical food and parking lot. I can recommend you to taste the Charales (fried little fishes with lemon, salt and sauce... It's a good snack), and to drink you can request a 'Jarrito Loco' (grapefruit soda with orange, salt, lemon, chili and tequila or charanda)... When you finish your drink, you will have a great souvenir (regional and funny cups)
All consumption are cheap.

The 'Muelle General' is the most visited, and there are more business casual, is easy to find a CDs with typical music (called Pirecuas) and regional clothing.
The dock 'San Pedrito' is more formal than General dock, in this, you can find hotels

In general, isn't unbelievable but if you are near (I.e. Morelia, about 40 minutes), is a great option for spending the day without expend a lot of money

Note: this region is a lot of cold for the lake
Written 16 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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LAKE PATZCUARO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Patzcuaro