Yunuén

The Refuge of Silence and the Secret Art 🌙

Just a few minutes by boat from bustling Janitzio lies a world apart. Yunuén is the definition of peace. Its name, which in Purépecha evokes the shape of a “Half Moon”, describes the silhouette of this curved, green island that seems to embrace the visitor.

Here, there is no rush. It is a refuge where luxury is silence, connection with the environment, and the discovery of hidden treasures.

🎨 The Color Route: Explorer Level Yunuén holds the most hidden jewel of the “Color Route"of Pátzcuaro. While the murals of Pátzcuaro are accessible to all, this one is for true explorers."

• The Treasure: Inside the Elementary school of the island, there are rural murals painted by the master Roberto Cueva del Río (the same one who decorated the Emperor Theatre and the Estribo Chico).

• The Challenge: Since they are located within a working school, viewing them requires politely requesting permission from the local authorities. Obtaining this permission unlocks an exclusive level of the region's artistic history, revealing scenes of everyday life captured by one of Mexico's great artists.

🥃 The Mystery Beneath the Water: The “Drowning” of Mezcal Magic is also submerged. Yunuén is the setting for a modern and mystical tradition: the Ceremony of the Drowning and Release of Mezcal.

• The Ritual: Every year (close to the Day of the Dead), bottles of premium mezcal are submerged in the lake to rest for 12 months in the darkness and coolness of the lakebed.

• Mysticism: Knowing that this treasure rests beneath your boat as it drifts away lends a special aura to your visit. It's a premium experience that connects the alchemy of the spirit with the energy of water.

🏡 The Island Where You Can Sleep To have time to explore the murals and feel the mystique of the lake, Yunuén offers something unique: the Ecotourism Center. Its inhabitants, organized in an exemplary cooperative, manage a complex of rustic-style cabins with all services.

• Lodging with Soul: Sleeping here is a privilege; it's waking up to the mist over the lake and the sound of birds.

• Local Hospitality: They have a simple and honest restaurant, run by local families. It's the ideal place for couples looking for a spiritual retreat or a romantic getaway away from the world.

If you managed to see the mural at Cueva del Río in Yunuén, you have to see its monumental counterpart on the mainland: visit our guide on the Mirador del Estribo Chico, also decorated by the master.