How to see the Monarch Butterflies in Mexico: 2023-2024 Season

Published by Cassie on

#mexicocassie how to see the monarch butterflies in Mexico

Mexico is one of the few places in the world you can see the natural wonder that is the monarch butterfly migration. Every autumn the monarch butterflies arrive from the USA and set up home in the Oyamel fir forests in the states of Michoacán and Estado de Mexico, not far from Mexico City.

It is possible to visit the monarch butterfly biosphere reserves if you’re in central Mexico during this time should you wish to experience this incredible event yourself. This was one of my family’s favourite experiences in Mexico so let’s dive right into the details to ensure that you, too have a magical experience.

#mexicocassie how to see the monarch butterflies in Mexico.
Photo courtesy of Ellen Sharp. Monarchs in flight

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Where do the Monarch Butterflies go in Mexico?

Monarch butterflies are native to the continent of North America. Each autumn they fly between their summer breeding grounds in the Rocky Mountains in the USA/southern Canada and Michoacán and Estado de México in central Mexico.

Milkweed is the main source of food for Monarch caterpillars. Adult Monarchs live just three-four weeks unless they are of the Monarch ‘Methuselah’ generation that is born once a year. This generation lives for approximately nine months and it is they who make the journey south to Mexico for the winter. Rather than feasting on milkweed, these insects require nectar to build up their lipid reserves to allow them to make their migratory journey.

Once the butterflies arrive in the Oyamel Forests they cluster on tree trunks for the winter. On sunny days the butterflies flutter around the forests, returning to their enormous tree clusters as the air cools down at night.

By around February, when the air temperature begins to increase, the Monarchs begin their mating rituals and each female will lay around four-hundred eggs in the trees. They then go off in search of the nectar they need to fuel their long journey north. By mid to late March the butterflies are beginning to look out for the air currents that help them return back to Canada and the USA.

Where Can You See The Monarch Butterflies in Mexico?

It’s highly likely that if you’re in central Mexico in Monarch season you’ll see some of these little guys fluttering around. On the roads there are even signs reminding drivers to keep an eye out so they don’t get crushed.

There are four official sanctuaries within a biosphere reserve across the states of Michoacán and Estado de México. These protected sanctuaries were set up by the Mexican government in order to protect and preserve the habitats of the Monarch butterflies and prevent any further loss of habitat. The biosphere covers an area of over 560 square kilometres and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Estado de Mexico sanctuaries: Cerro Pelón and Piedra Herrada

Michoacan sanctuaries: El Rosario and Sierra Chincua Reserve

Monarch Butterflies in Cerro Pelón

In Macheros, where we chose to stay, we were a five-minute walk from the entrance to Cerro Pelón. Macheros is one of the only places where you can actually stay in a butterfly sanctuary in Mexico.

Cerro Pelón straddles the border of State of Mexico and Michoacan. It is the least visited and most pristine of all the options for visiting the monarch butterflies in Mexico. The best way to get around Cerro Pelón is on horseback. The route taken is fairly rough and pretty steep.

#mexicocassie monarch butterflies in mexico

Two of my other favourite outdoor adventure spots in Mexico are Tapalpa and Comala.

Monarch Butterflies in Piedra Herrada

The ground here is fairly steep. You can rent horses but there is always a short walk required. This monarch sanctuary is just two hours from Mexico City so can easily be visited in a day. It’s also easily visited from Valle de Bravo, where people often stay when visiting this sanctuary.

Monarch Butterflies in El Rosario

This sanctuary is near Ocampo and is the largest and most visited monarch sanctuary in Mexico. The trail is a steep walk up for an hour but there are often butterflies much closer to the entrance too. If you take the trail, you are permitted around twenty minutes at each lookout. The reason for the relatively short timeslots is that there are so many people visiting at the same time.

Obviously, visiting on a weekday will lessen the crowds although I believe school trips are made during the week too.

⭐️ Wherever you’re going in Mexico with kids, our packing list for Mexico with kids will come in handy.

Monarch Butterflies in Sierra Chincuna Reserve

This is a smaller and slightly quieter site near Angangueo. A local guide takes visitors to the colonies, which are generally found around an hour’s walk away from the starting point. There are horses should you wish to ride. Again you are given around twenty minutes to watch the butterflies here.

Is It Better to Take A Day Trip or Stay Nearby?

Obviously, that is a question you need to answer yourself depending on how much time you have available.

It is possible to visit the monarchs in a day from the big cities of Mexico City or Morelia, either on your own or with a tour. However, please do remember that if you take a tour organised by a company from outside of these communities your money isn’t going to support the monarchs or the local communities themselves, which can have the entirely unintended consequence of encouraging locals to engage in illegal logging to support their families. If they have good income from the butterflies they are less likely to need to resort to logging, which actually destroys the butterfly forests.

My ideal would be to rent a car and explore the region alone as I always love to be able to stop wherever I feel like it.

#mexicocassie how to see the monarchs in Mexico

When is the Best Time to see the Monarch Butterflies?

The season officially runs from mid-November to late-March. Traditional wisdom states that the best time to see the butterflies is February, however, I spoke to a number of butterfly guides and they would love to see people visiting throughout the season as the butterflies are fascinating no matter when you go.

If you visit early, between mid-November and early-December you’re likely to see the butterflies arriving en masse. In March you’ll see them more active as they prepare to for their long journey back to the USA and Canada. In fact, in late March, many butterflies are leaving but often the rearguard will still be arriving!

One great option would be to pair seeing the Monarch Butterflies with a trip to somewhere like Pitzacauro for a Día de los Muertos experience.

Obviously, the Monarch butterflies are a natural phenomenon so it is difficult to predict what the season will look like but there are enough butterflies that you’ll never be disappointed no matter when you visit in the season.

Do note that weekends and local holidays are generally busier than weekdays but local schools do bring school children to observe the Monarch butterflies during the week.

#mexicocassie how to see the monarchs in Mexico
Photo of butterflies on a tree courtesy of Ellen
#mexicocassie how to see the monarch butterflies in Mexico
Photo courtesy of Ellen

Where To Stay To See The Monarch Butterflies In Mexico

The butterfly biosphere is pretty much equidistant between Mexico City and Morelia. If you do take a day trip from either, be prepared for a long day of driving around your hike. Many prefer to stay in nearby towns such as Angagueo or Ocampo.

#mexicocassie how to see the monarch butterflies in Mexico.

What To Take With You To See The Monarch Butterflies

  • comfortable walking shoes
  • Long trousers (pants)
  • sun hat – we did not and should have.
  • water bottle
  • Camera – this is the camera I’m currently coveting and wish I’d had with me to take better photos of the butterflies.
  • Layers – sweaters/shirts etc
  • Suntan lotion
  • Cash – we had no opportunities to pay with credit card

Monarchs In Mexico Information

I learned so much in the short time we were visiting the monarch butterflies in Estado de Mexico but I think what fascinated me most was the sheer enthusiasm people have for these tiny creatures and for saving them.

#mexicocassie monarchs in mexico stationery monarch butterfly close up

Of course, just like every creature, they have their place in the world but meeting people who actually care was so refreshing. We don’t have to be obsessed with technology (but don’t put your phone down until you’ve finished reading this article!), we don’t have to get stuck behind a screen to be blown away and see incredible things. Even if you can’t get to see the monarchs, just go outside and look around. Isn’t our world magnificent?

Every single other person I met was excited by butterflies, we were all there for one reason: to see these gorgeous creatures up close. Trust me, it’s impossible to see them flying around without smiling.

Let’s finish with a few interesting monarch facts:

  • Monarch butterflies are thought to fly around 75km a day during migration time but some have been clocked getting towards 130km a day. Their distance and speed depend on wind and direction. Despite these numbers sounding impressive, they actually fly slower than many other butterflies.
  • The monarch flies further than any other tropical butterfly, up to 4000km between their summer and winter grounds.
  • While most monarch butterflies live around one month, those that make it to Mexico are the super generation that live for up to eight months. The lower metabolism required in diapause (when they’re dormant during winter) is thought to be behind this extended life.
  • The monarchs in Mexico are not sexually active until the end of the winter. It is thought that after (during?) copulation the males release their energy reserves to the females and then die. The females then have enough energy to make the journey to the milkweed plants further north.
  • The female monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed on their way back to USA and Canada from Mexico. The more milkweed there is, the more butterflies will be able to lay their eggs.
  • Generally, the butterflies leaving Mexico make it as far north as the southern USA. They lay eggs and die. The next generation makes it to Canada.
  • The numbers of monarch butterflies have been decreasing over the last twenty years, thanks in part, to deforestation in the USA, Canada and Mexico and the depletion of milkweed supplies. Some suggest as much as an 84% decrease over the last twenty years. However, 2019 has seen a rise in numbers, which could be indicative of an improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be fit to visit the Monarch butterflies?

There’s no doubt that this is a walking trip. The trails can be narrow and steep so a basic level of fitness is advisable. El Rosario is probably the best bet for anyone who is concerned about their fitness as the butterflies are often closer to the trailhead than at the other sites.

Is altitude sickness an issue when visiting the Monarch butterflies?

This depends on how you react. Some of the hikes will lead you above 3000m above sea level, which is pretty high if you’re not used to altitude.

Do you recommend a day trip or a longer stay to see the butterflies?

If you’re short on time then a day trip will do but if you have time, I highly recommend renting a car and exploring the area.

Can I see the butterflies on my own?

You can walk around alone in El Rosario and Sierra Chincua.

How close can I get to the butterflies?

You may not leave the trails and please, please do not try to do so.

Can I visit the Monarchs on horseback?

Yes, there are horseback options in the reserves. You aren’t required to know how to ride but of course, it helps.


Cassie

Cassie is a British-born travel writer who lives in southern Spain. Prior to moving to Spain, Cassie and her family lived in Yucatán, Mexico for many years. Something of a self-confessed-all-round travel-nerd, Cassie has a deep love of adventure, and of learning as much as possible about every place visited. This blog is testament to that.

10 Comments

Natalie · 26/03/2019 at 3:24 pm

Thank you so much for writing about the Cerro Pelón butterfly sanctuary. I’ve been wanting to visit the butterflies for several years now, but I couldn’t figure out which butterfly sanctuary to visit. For the next season (fall, 2019), I’m going to have to make this happen.

    Cassie · 26/03/2019 at 3:27 pm

    You won’t regret it! It is hard to figure out where to go. Definitely recommend Cerro Pelón.

Catherine @ To & Fro Fam · 28/03/2019 at 1:15 pm

It is one of my dreams to see the monarchs in Mexico! The fact that you can travel to them on horseback would be the cherry on the top for my kids.

    Cassie · 28/03/2019 at 1:19 pm

    Definitely. Was for mine too.

Teja · 05/04/2019 at 8:49 pm

This is so on my bucket list!!! And you’re telling me I can be taken there on HORSEBACK!! Ahhhh why am I broke? Please don’t go extinct!

    Cassie · 05/04/2019 at 9:10 pm

    Haha. Yes it was super awesome. Quick, find some big cash down the back of the sofa and get to Mexico post haste.

Dylan · 06/04/2019 at 6:12 am

This is one thing I’d really love to do next time I go to Mexico and I know it’s a hugely popular attraction, so I’m glad to hear there’s an eco-minded tour op/ B&B taking groups out! I’ll keep it in mind for my (eventual) return trip.

    Cassie · 06/04/2019 at 7:44 am

    It is popular but with Macheros and Cerro Pelón you won’t struggle to be alone. The bigger, more accessible parks get all the day trippers.

Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays · 13/04/2019 at 2:09 am

What an incredible thing to see, Showing OH in the hope he takes the hint!

    Cassie · 13/04/2019 at 7:16 am

    Fingers crossed for you!

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