Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve protects high-altitude fir and pine forests in the mountains straddling Michoacán and the State of Mexico. Each autumn, millions of monarchs arrive here after migrating from the United States and Canada, gathering in dense clusters on the oyamel firs to wait out the winter. The site is listed by UNESCO for this natural phenomenon.
Several sanctuaries are open to visitors in season, each with its own trail and character. El Rosario is the largest and busiest, reached by a long climb on foot or horseback, while Sierra Chincua offers a gentler, forested approach. On the State of Mexico side, Piedra Herrada is popular with visitors from Valle de Bravo, and La Mesa and El Capulín are quieter alternatives. On warm, sunny days, the butterflies take flight around midday, filling the air in a rustle of orange wings; on cold mornings they remain packed on the branches.
Visits are seasonal and quite physical, with altitude, steep paths and chilly air, so travelers should bring layers and pace themselves. Angangueo and Zitácuaro are the usual bases on the Michoacán side, and Valle de Bravo makes a comfortable lakeside base for the eastern sanctuaries. Local guides from the communities are required at most sites.
WiserMap travel guideMonarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve Mexico SanctuariesVisit the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán: sanctuaries, base towns, local food, when the monarchs arrive, getting there and a two day plan.Read the guide
The largest and most visited monarch sanctuary in the reserve, above the town of Ocampo, where millions of butterflies cluster on oyamel firs from about November to March. The climb up the trail is steep and at high altitude. Go on a sunny day around midday, when the butterflies fly.
One of the main monarch butterfly sanctuaries, a short drive above Angangueo, where millions of monarchs cluster on fir trees from about November to March. The walk or horse ride to the colonies is gentler than at El Rosario. Bring warm layers and stay quiet near the butterflies.
A monarch sanctuary in the State of Mexico near Valle de Bravo, the closest one to Mexico City and popular for day trips. The walk to the colonies is shorter than at El Rosario, and horses are available. Weekdays are much quieter, and dress warmly for the cold mornings.
A sanctuary in Donato Guerra, State of Mexico, where an ejido runs guided walks and horseback rides up to the monarch colonies in the winter season. It is a less crowded option with good forest views. The road in is narrow and winding, so allow extra time to drive there.
A community-run monarch sanctuary in San José del Rincón, State of Mexico, with a forest trail to the butterfly colonies on the fir slopes. It sees fewer visitors than the big Michoacán sanctuaries. Local guides are required, and simple food stalls sell quesadillas at the entrance.
A rugged mountain sanctuary on the border of Michoacán and the State of Mexico, where some of the first known monarch colonies were studied. Visitors usually ride horses or hike steeply up from the village of Macheros. It is quiet and wild, so hire a local guide and start early.
A small town below the El Rosario sanctuary that serves as the main base for visits, with simple hotels, restaurants and shared trucks that run up to the sanctuary entrance. Stay overnight here to reach the butterflies early. Nights are cold in winter, so pack warm clothes.
No reviews yet. Been to Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Maricint, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Oscar Rolando López Ramirez, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Letstown, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: B.jars, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: hspauldi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Rafael Saldaña, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Luis Avalos, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones from México D. F., México, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
