Sometimes I have to admit when I’m wrong. This was one of those times.
There isn’t much to do in Pátzcuaro, a small town a few hours west of Mexico City. We were staying there to dog-sit, so a limited itinerary suited us fine. The town has a couple of charming plazas with streetside cafés and a bustling market overflowing with every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imagine.
But the town’s main draw is the nearby lake.
You can take a boat with other visitors and local residents—many of whom are indigenous and live on the island—and cross to Isla Janitzio. The island is best known for its large stone statue of a man raising his fist, a monument associated with Mexican independence and visible from the water.
At first I didn’t expect much from the island. I figured there wouldn’t be much to see or do.
And on that point I was right: the island itself is small. There are many steep, winding stairs that lead up to the peak, where you can pay to climb up to the statue’s fist. Inside the statue, murals depict the timeline of Mexico’s independence and are worth a look. The view from the top is pleasant, but not dramatically different from other scenic spots I’d visited, and the platform at the very top is cramped for full-size adults.
The island’s market stalls sell a variety of souvenirs—some amusing, some surprising. I saw a ceramic mug shaped like a pair of breasts, which made me wonder if the local artisans ever imagined this would become a tourist product.
What truly made the visit memorable, though, was the boat ride across the lake.
The water was so calm it mirrored the island perfectly, creating a still, reflective surface not unlike the mirror lakes found in other parts of the world. The crossing was quiet except for the boat engine, and the statue rising above the island felt striking against the tranquil backdrop.
Despite my complaints about the heat and the many steps (there really are a lot), the crossing and the brief moments of silence on the water were the highlight of the outing.
I had to admit I enjoyed myself.
Isla Janitzio may not have left a lasting impression beyond a few quirky souvenirs, but the boat ride across the lake—those thirty minutes of calm and reflection—made the trip worthwhile for the small fee.