Did you know that Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is part of the UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage List? More than 56 thousand hectares that include many sightseeing points, such as this sanctuary called Piedra Herrada (the closest to Mexico City– 2hrs drive).
Season: November – March
Best date: first two weeks of February, to see them flying around. Before that they remain attached to the trees in hibernation.
Best time: depends on the weather. Would recommend 9:30-10:00, so that you can get to the top of the mountain by 11:00 or so, when the sun is just picking through the tree crowns and you can see the butterflies both resting in the branches and flying (they only fly when the sun hits them). Don’t go if it’s raining!
Before heading to the mountain, we had to decide whether we wanted to go up by foot or by horse. Although the idea of not hiking for an hour on very steep paths was very tempting, our guide suggested that in order to take our time enjoying the surroundings, we should go by foot. And we highly recommend this as well. Yes, the top of the mountain has the ‘main event’, but there’s something magical about slowly encountering more and more butterflies as you make your way up.
Just 15 minutes into our hiking, when we began venturing into the woods, we started seeing small clusters of butterflies. From then on we couldn’t stop smiling and thinking about how these tiny and fragile creatures had traveled between 2,000 and 4,000 kilometers escaping the harsh winter, and had managed to remember the exact route and spot set by four generations above them. They’ve never done this before, nor their parents or grandparents! It’s just unbelievable, and there’s still no exact explanation as to how they do it…
As we got closer to the top of the mountain, the fluttering became louder and louder. And up there, in complete silence, we sat for 15 minutes (time allowed per group) amazed at the beautiful scenery. The amount of orange around the trees made it look like we were contemplating a very late Canadian style autumn. Thousands and thousands of butterflies either flying, resting or mating. It was unreal.
After making our way down, we decided to regain all those calories burnt by eating some quesadillas with delicious handmade tortillas in the small cabin just in front of the ticket office. If you want to get a little something for friends and family, there are many stalls selling cute butterfly souvenirs.
A couple of rules to preserve this ecosystem
-If you want to take a closer look, you can ask your guide to pick some of the dead butterflies off the floor. Do not do it by yourself, because some may appear dead, but they’re really just sunbathing and touching them will hurt their wings.
-Do not take home any dead butterflies. According to our guide, the pollen they leave is what may tell the next generation where to arrive.
-Watch your step at all times.
-When you get to the top of the mountain, where most of them are resting, you will be asked to be in total silence. Loud noises will frighten them and mess up their mating ritual, which can lead to extinction.
-If you’re taking pictures, don’t use flash!
Useful information
Prices
Entrance fee: $60 mxn (includes guide) / Horses: $200 mxn / Quesadilla $25 mxn
Tip
Wear comfortable shoes! Especially if you decide to walk. Only half the way has a built in path, the rest is free hiking. And bring a jacket, because it can get pretty cold up in the mountain.
How to get there
We prefer renting a car for small trips outside Mexico City. But, if you don’t want to drive, this bus terminal in Mexico City has trips every hour. The line is called Zina Bus, and it has to say “Valle de Bravo vía los Saúcos”. Tell the driver you’ll hop off at Piedra Herrada Sanctuary so he leaves you right at the entrance.
*According to our guide you can wait for the next bus on the side of the road to take you to Valle de Bravo (there you can buy a ticket back to Mexico City). But double check this at the counter before you leave.
Hi! I have a couple of questions..:-) when you went to the sanctuary..Do you recommend a guide? If so are they provided in the sanctuary, do you know cost?
I plan to visit but don’t have a tour or a guide, do you recommend going alone?
Author
Hi, Sandra! So sorry to reply until now. Didn’t see your comment. Hope we’re not too late.
Since it’s a protected area, no one is allowed to wander on their own. Once you arrive, you’ll pay your entrance fee at the ticket office and then you’ll be escorted by one of the guides that work there (entrance fee covers this. Tipping them at the end is recommended, but not mandatory). Visitors are gathered into small groups, so you won’t be alone, alone 😉
I’m taking over an organization that has been bringing people to the Monarch sanctuaries for the last 15 years. We visit the sanctuaries starting in January and into February. These trips help support the local communities and the guides are local to Michoacán. WE have meals at the reserves as the food is good, local and supports the local families. There are more than a few organizations doing environmental education and preservations work with the local community to provide the alternatives to de-forestation in this area. if you’re interested in joining a tour that goes to three locations in one week let me know.
Author
Thank you, James! It sounds really interesting. If you can, please send us more information to [email protected]
Thanks!