Mezcala Island
Mezcala Island
4.5
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This small island located in Lake Chapala is home to an old fort from the Mexican Revolution.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
66 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
19
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Jared B
Washington46 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
This was our second excursion to Mezcala Island. We drive to Mezcala and took the affordable boat accross. We stayed an hour and walked a steady pace to make it too the West side of the island. What a nice day out.
Written 22 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela G
Victoria, Canada19 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
We drove from Ajijic to the little town of Mezcala, parked right near the plaza and walked down the the lake. The people we were traveling with had been before and had a name of a guide who we asked for when we got to the pier. They called him and he was there in about 5 minutes. The boat ride over was 300 pesos roundtrip and our guide told us to pay him whatever we felt he was worth. The trip over was super calm and a very nice boat ride..and we all were given life jackets just in case. It was very quiet for tourists although there was a big mexican family having a family day near the dock. The guide (Cesar) spoke pretty good English and told us all about each section of the walk ensuring we didn't miss anything including the big tree on the way in and even how the land across the water looks like a crocodile from afar! The 'buildings' are being restored and the guide told us about the church, jails and even the captains quarters. A great way to spend a day! I would highly suggest going with a guide..ours was only 18 but was very professional and knew the great history of this neat place.
Written 2 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben G
Coldbrook, Canada28 contributions
Feb 2018
This island housed a fort which held off the Spaniards in 1821. The war lasted four years and it was the indigenous insurgents who cleverly held off the Spaniards from taking what was rightfully their land. Following the war, the Spaniards became friends and helped the indigenous people with resettlement. Years later Mezcala island became a prison and house nearly 800 or more inmates. Today the buildings are restored. It costs 350 pesos to go across and there is a small museum in the town of Mezcala with unique artifacts supporting historical findings. I would love to see employees in period costume working and living the life as it was 200 plus years ago. I think it would attract many tourists while stimulating the local economy. They is a chapel and tannery next to the fort. A must see!
Written 11 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eliana23
YUMA167 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Mezcala is a sad little town, so be prepared. If you take the bus from Chapala you will get off when you see the twin towers of a church, about 45 minutes. Walk down the main street hill till you reach the lake. We were accosted by a teen wanting to be our guide--nice kid but we didn't need a guide.
There's a sign on the shore with rates and offerings. The boats in the area have formed a collective with standardized prices. 300 pesos to get out to the island and have an hour, more for longer trips or tours.
We spent an hour there and it was enough. Can't explore on your own which was disappointing, but part of the ruins are being excavated for pre-hispanic artifacts and are off limits.
New signage in both English and Spanish explaining what you see. I had read up on history before coming so the running commentary from guide was unnecessary but he was knowledgeable.
The island is simply beautiful, even if you don't care much about Mexican Revolution history. Amazing views of Lake Chapala.
There's a sign on the shore with rates and offerings. The boats in the area have formed a collective with standardized prices. 300 pesos to get out to the island and have an hour, more for longer trips or tours.
We spent an hour there and it was enough. Can't explore on your own which was disappointing, but part of the ruins are being excavated for pre-hispanic artifacts and are off limits.
New signage in both English and Spanish explaining what you see. I had read up on history before coming so the running commentary from guide was unnecessary but he was knowledgeable.
The island is simply beautiful, even if you don't care much about Mexican Revolution history. Amazing views of Lake Chapala.
Written 7 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mamatita
Chula Vista, CA150 contributions
Apr 2012 • Friends
Went with someone very knowledgeable about the history of the island. We visited during sping break, and it was not crowded. You have to take a short boat ride and you're there. We split the cost of the boat with another group. If your speak Spanish there are tour guides available, usually a young kid who works for tips. My cousin who is a teacher and went along and quizzed the kid and he got all his facts right! Before heading to the island we also visited a small museum in town, that talks about the history of the island and it's native peoples. Bring water along it is hot and there is limited shade. It was in the high 70s in April.
Written 16 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IrishTodd
Arlington, VA19 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Nicely preserved. Take a boat to get there and highly recommend Xavier with Xaobe Tours. Interesting history from period when 1000 indigenous held off 8,000 Spaniards, to fortification, to rebellion during independence period to prison. A must see!
Written 20 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EleanorinAjijic
Ajijic Jalisco Mexico14 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Not what I expected at all. A full fort on Mescala Island! Dating from 1812 War of Independence. Recently restored as a tourist attraction yet no one goes. Easy to reach by car or bus from Chapala and Ajijic. Take a flashlight as the site is not lit. No souvenir stand either, so take water. Can easily be seen in 2 hours or so and tip the young school boy even if you don't understand Spanish!
Written 24 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mugsy
Denver, CO7 contributions
May 2020
This island has a really fascinating history! I had read the wonderful book, "Mezcala Island" by Randall Best so I knew quite a bit about what had happened here all those years ago. Highly recommend both the book and a trip out to the island!
Written 27 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariah
Merida, Mexico29 contributions
Oct 2019
Currently I am staying in Lake Chapala. I had good advice that taking a day trip to Isla Mezcala would be fun. I looked online to find out more information including the history of the place. I was pleased and the following day I went to the local bus station and caught the bus for 22 pesos one way. In less than an hour I arrived to my destination. After walking a short distance to the Lake I was approached by one of the friendly boatmen. For 350 pesos I could go round trip to the Island. Without hesitation I agreed. It took about 20 minutes before arriving. The boatman, Jose also acted as my tour guide. He knew enough information about the Fort turned Prison to be very helpful. I also looked at the many signs located at the entrance of each of the buildings. We got off the boat and walked up the hill to the Fort. I am an older woman so the climb left me a little winded but since am in good shape it wasn't that bad. Definitely put on your walking or hiking shoes. I walked through the bridge of the Fort and it was a feeling of walking into the past. I imagined what it must have been like during that time. Very interesting. I did see a scorpion on one of the walls. I was ready to go after seeing it, LOL. The tour lasted about an hour. Just enough. I highly recommend see it. Great day trip. Bring water because there are no vendors on the Island. The return trip was just as easy. Walk to where you got off the bus to return to Chapala. The bus returns to the bus station.
Written 28 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrandpaX4
185 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
My wife and I visited a couple of longtime friends who have been living on Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico, an hour south of Guadalajara. On our last day, we drove along the north shore of the lake to Mezcala, almost exactly half way along the north shore of the 50-mile-long lake.
We hired a guide and a boat to take us out to Isla de Mezcala, about 5 miles off shore, to explore the the island, learn about its place in history, and explore the ruins. The island was used by early people of the area for ceremonial purposes. Later a small chapel was built on the island. But the island’s place in history is assured by its significance in the history of the struggle for Mexican independence. The island was successfully defended by indigenous people against a far superior force of Spanish soldiers in the Spanish/Mexican war in the early 1800s. Many years later the Mexican government built a prison on the island to house the worst of their prison population.
The island is a very worthwhile expedition and well worth the time and money to go there.
We hired a guide and a boat to take us out to Isla de Mezcala, about 5 miles off shore, to explore the the island, learn about its place in history, and explore the ruins. The island was used by early people of the area for ceremonial purposes. Later a small chapel was built on the island. But the island’s place in history is assured by its significance in the history of the struggle for Mexican independence. The island was successfully defended by indigenous people against a far superior force of Spanish soldiers in the Spanish/Mexican war in the early 1800s. Many years later the Mexican government built a prison on the island to house the worst of their prison population.
The island is a very worthwhile expedition and well worth the time and money to go there.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Although I have been here before, it’s been several years. Is the island open seven days of the week?
Some geologic trips I have taken here in Mexico have sites that are closed on Mondays. Is this the case at Mezcala? I am hoping to go on a Monday.
Thanks, Sharon from Ajijic
Written 1 January 2021
how do we get there from Ajijic? Bus? when are the island tours offered?
Written 13 January 2019
There are buses that go from Ajijic to Mezcala but I believe you need to transfer at the main bus station in Chapala. You might also be able to take an Uber.
Written 14 January 2019
what does the boat ride to Mezcala Island and back cost ? Can I take a local bus from Chapala or Ajijic there Does anyone offer tours?
Written 23 December 2018
There were 4 of us and the boat ride, if I remember correctly was around $500P. Yes you can take a bus from either location, you'll need to inquire at local central bus stations for directions. Once you arrive at Mezcala, they are plenty of Spanish speaking tour guides and if you need English they will get you one. The tour will last as long as you have straight. Ours lasted for about 2 hours and we gave the tour guide $500P which included a little something for the boat driver for waiting - I think.
Written 4 July 2019
Hola ! Donde puedo ponerme en contacto con alguien para ver los tours ?
Written 3 July 2018
Como soy local, no conozco una empresa de Tours como tal que ofrezca el servicio. Es algo muy rústico, lo único que debes hacer es llegar a Mezcala (el pueblo de la rivera) y ahí te ofrecen el servicio de transportación en lancha a la isla y servicio de Guía.
Espero te sirva
Written 4 July 2018
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