As it happens every year, during the long weekend of November, Mexicans from all the cities and towns of the country celebrate Day of the Dead to remember and honor their loved ones who have had to leave this world. However, there is a special place in Michoacán considered an entrance to heaven; it’s called Janitzio Island.
“We are mortal because we are made of time and history. But there are instant exits through culture, which is a poetic act, which dissolves time, to escape history and death,” said Nobel Prize winner, Octavio Paz. Nowadays, people in Mexico (as it happens in many places around the world) have adopted the American festivity of Halloween and merge it with the local tradition of Day of the Dead. Although trick-or-treating and costumes have become part of the celebrations that start on October 31 with Halloween and continue on November 1 and 2, even today Day of the Dead still has a deeper meaning.
One of the states in Mexico that give most importance to the Day of the Dead is Michoacán, especially a Purépecha town near Lake Pátzcuaro. In this magical town, on the bridge of November 2, locals stay awake all night holding candles and sharing some meals on the lake surrounding the island of Janitzio.
How Is Day of the Dead Celebrated in Janitzio, Michoacán?
As we mentioned, this is one of the most famous and important religious festivities in Mexico. On November 1, locals start surrounding the island of Janitzio, sparking a festive atmosphere with music, candles, Cempasúchitl flowers, foods, and drinks. When the church bells sound at midnight, it’s believed that the souls of the dead come to visit their living relatives who are eagerly waiting for them with their favorite meals.
Throughout the night of November 1, people arrive at the graves with these altars of flowers, bread, fruit, symbols, and icons to honor loved ones who are no longer present; they make an altar and sit and watch the candles burn while murmuring prayers. The Purépechas have a legend that tells that when they die, the souls fly as if they were monarch butterflies over an enchanted lake until they reach the island of Janitzio. You only have to open your heart so that when you cross the lake by boat, you can see the souls among the waters of Lake Patzcuaro.
What Should You Prepare to Visit Janitzio Island on the Day of the Dead?
If you want to visit Janitzio, Michoacan to experience Day of the Dead at its fullest, you will need to bring a sweater, comfortable shoes, and pants. Keep in mind that the weather can get very cold. Several hotels in Patzcuaro have affordable prices, but Hotel Mision Patzcuaro is one of the most famous and most comfortable hotels in the area. In addition, its restaurant has delicious traditional dishes that they will satisfy even the most demanding palate.
If you want to see the island of Janitzio, the best view is from the monument to Morelos. Naturally, the best time to visit is in November, during the Day of the Dead celebrations, when the island is illuminated by candles and altars. Throughout the day and night, some boats can take you to and from the island for a very affordable fee.