One of the must-sees when one is in Patzcuaro is crossing the lake to one of the islands. There are two ways: at the San Pedrito Pier or the General Pier. Both are easily accessible by train, taking the road leading to Erongarícuaro.

The transport system is simple: you cross the lake in a boat of a certain color, depending on the dock where you took it, and return when you want (before 6:00), in another boat of the same color.

San Pedrito Pier : On the way to the dock you will find several restaurants and hotels. It will not be uncommon that in the parking lot (free) you will see passenger buses coming from places like Queretaro and Guanajuato, but do not worry, there’s always room for everyone. Along the esplanade on the pier, there is a well-established traditional market, several restaurants and a booth where they sell tickets to Janitzio for 30 pesos. The boats run every 10 or 15 minutes, depending on how many people there are. Before or after your trip, you can enjoy life with your family in one of the gardens in the area. The place is well maintained and you can easily spend all morning here.

General Pier : is usually more crowded. There is also a flea market where they sell fruit, snacks (glass is 10 pesos), ice cream and crafts, as well as several restaurants and a plaza with benches, plus it offers one of the best views of the island of Janitzio. Visiting this pier is always accompanied by loud music coming from the stalls selling pirated discs and other merchandise. It is not an established market like the one in San Pedrito, the stalls are always changing, but yes, you’ll find everything. Boats also charge 30 pesos to Janitzio and leave every time they fill up.

The Pacanda Island: is 35 minutes from the dock. This place is the quintessential small town in the Purepecha plateau, where there is a beautiful lagoon.

Yunuén Island
The word means Crescent and it is famous for its cabins for rent and vegetation. It is 30 minutes from the pier and offers all the services to spend a weekend in tranquility with nature.
 
Janitzio Island
This is the most famous island of Lake Patzcuaro and is just 20 minutes from the pier. Its name means corn hairs and during the Night of the Dead (Day of the Dead celebrated on the night of November 1 to 2) the town is full of tourists who come to the famous cemetery to see the candles and altars placed at the graves of loved ones. At one end of the island there is a monumental sculpture 40 meters high of the hero of Mexico’s Independence, José María Morelos y Pavón (native of Morelia). You can access the statue where the mural painter Ramon Alva recounts the life of this man.

Tecuena Island
The smallest of the islands is 25 minutes from the pier. Its name means good honey and is also a place to relax and admire the view of the lake.

Los Urandenes Island
Located 10 minutes from the dock, its name means tray and it is a set of three small islands connected by canals. This place has the largest reserve of white fish.

Jarácuaro Island
Due to the drought this village is no longer strictly an island and now the lake lies on land. It is 18 kilometers from Patzcuaro, Jarácuaro was the site dedicated to the Purepecha  goddess Xaratanga (goddess of the moon) and its main attraction is a sixteenth-century church.