Patzcuaro and Janitzio boat tour: Butterfly nets and island views

The fishermen on Janitzio still cast nets shaped like butterfly wings into the water.

A morning tour of Patzcuaro and a boat ride to Janitzio island, starting at 11 AM with private transportation, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, and entry to the lake where local fishermen use the distinctive butterfly nets. You walk the cobblestone streets of Patzcuaro, see the Morelos statue on Janitzio (built in 1933 and taller than the Statue of Liberty), watch the Dance of the Old Men performed in the main square, and have time to browse local handicrafts and galleries. Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the itinerary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat ride and Patzcuaro exploration

• Take boat ride to Janitzio island
• Discover Morelos statue on island
• Walk cobblestone streets in Patzcuaro
• Enjoy local gastronomy at lunch
• Watch Dance of the old men
• Shop handicrafts in downtown Patzcuaro

The experience

The tour leaves at 11 AM from Patzcuaro and heads straight to the boat dock. You board a lancha to cross the lake to Janitzio island, where you'll see the fishermen casting their iconic butterfly nets: the only place in the world where this technique is still in regular use. The nets are shaped and rigged so the fisherman stands in the center and spreads them open like wings before drawing them closed to trap fish below. You have free time to walk around the island, climb up to the Morelos monument (a 1933 statue that stands higher than the Statue of Liberty), and absorb the quiet rhythm of island life.

Back in Patzcuaro, lunch happens at a local restaurant where you can try regional dishes and specialties. The town itself is the draw: white-walled buildings with tile roofs line the cobblestone streets, remnants of its time as a state capital starting in 1534. The main square hosts a performance of the Dance of the Old Men, a traditional spectacle that draws both locals and visitors. After that, you have time to walk the downtown streets, step into local galleries, and pick through handicrafts from street vendors and shops. The whole outing runs about seven hours and travels in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who speaks English or Spanish.

The operator notes that an 11 AM start works for travelers who sleep in, and you can ask the driver about drop-off service back to your hotel in Patzcuaro at the end. If you arrive early, the meeting point is near Panoli, a local spot known for breakfast and pastries.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• boat entry to Janitzio island (boleto de paseo en lancha).
• lunch at a local Patzcuaro restaurant.
• guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 11:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (25 to 85 years) · Under 25: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12 · max 3 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Alfredo Tour Guide

Is this one for you?This tour suits travelers who want to see Janitzio's butterfly net fishing and explore Patzcuaro's colonial streets without arranging their own transport or timing a boat crossing. The 11 AM start works if you're not an early riser, and the seven-hour span fits a single afternoon or morning-into-afternoon slot. Minimum age is 25, and the itinerary involves walking cobblestone streets and climbing to the island monument, so a moderate fitness level helps.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the butterfly nets I'll see on Janitzio?

The butterfly nets are the traditional fishing method still used by local fishermen on Janitzio island. They are shaped and rigged to open and close like wings, and this technique is unique to this lake. You'll see them cast into the water during your time on the island.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant in Patzcuaro where you can try regional gastronomy. The tour builds in a lunch break so you can taste local specialties.

What is the Dance of the Old Men, and will I definitely see it?

The Dance of the Old Men is a traditional performance that takes place in Patzcuaro's main square. The tour includes time to watch it, though the performance schedule may vary by day.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at 11 AM and runs for approximately seven hours, so you'll return to Patzcuaro in the late afternoon. You can ask the driver about hotel drop-off at the end.