Once the capital of the Purepecha Indians, Pátzcuaro is located on the southeast shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, and is known for its famous butterfly-net fishing of superb whitefish. Pátzcuaro is a beautiful town with a handsome central plaza. Friday mornings an Indian market moves into the main square to sell ceramics, wood carvings, copper, woven goods and even furniture.

Pátzcuaro and Janitzio Island - located in the middle of the lake - are most famous for their Day of the Dead celebrations on the 1st and 2nd of November. This is not a time of grieving, but a time when families remember their lost ones, whose spirits are said to return to the realm of the living on those days. Small boats carry people across the lake to Janitzio Island to visit the cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers and candles for an all-night vigil.