Mexico is a country rich in culture, history, nature and above all, in unique and historical events and places.
The latter has been accredited by Unesco, which has declared 6 sites in this Central American country a World Heritage Site.
In this article we will delve into one of them, the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, a tourist attraction that you should not miss.
What is the Monarch Butterfly?
The Monarch Butterfly belongs to the group of insects, specifically, the Lepidoptera. Its life cycle consists of a migration process in which it travels long distances to spend the winter.
They are distinguished from other butterflies by the bright orange color crossed by the black lines of their wings.
The females are slightly smaller than the male and the orange color of their wings is darker with thicker lines.
Males are characterized by black spots on the wings responsible for producing pheromone, a fundamental chemical in the mating process.
How is the migration of the monarch butterfly?
Despite its apparent fragility, the monarch butterfly is one of the members of the animal kingdom with the most admirable migration.
It travels 5000 miles (8,047 km) round trip in two ways; from the east of the Rocky Mountains, southern Canada and part of the USA, towards the states of Michoacán and Mexico and from the west of the Rocky Mountains towards specific places on the coast of California.
The migratory generation has an average lifespan of between 8 and 9 months, much longer than other generations that only live 30 days.
Why do butterflies take such a long journey?
Butterflies seek the trees of the species, Oyamel, an ideal natural habitat for their hibernation, sexual maturation and mating.
Insects also seek out abundant pine areas where they continue their life cycle.
The climate of this area of the state of Michoacán is ideal because they come from Canada and the United States, places with a very cold winter, an unbearable condition for them.
All this prompts the butterflies to move towards cool temperatures like this area of Mexico, where upon arrival they remain immobile to save energy that will serve for their return.
The average temperature ranges from 12 ° C to 15 ° C, approximately.
The mist and abundant clouds also favor them because they have a natural environment with humidity and availability of water to survive.
What is the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary?
The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is an area of 57,259 hectares, distributed between the states of Michoacán and Mexico.
Its status as a biosphere reserve has served to protect the plants and animals that live there.
Exact location of the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
In the state of Michoacán, it encompasses the municipalities Contepec, Senguío, Angangueo, Ocampo, Zitácuaro and Aporo.
The sanctuary is located in the municipalities Temascalcingo, San Felipe del Progreso, Donato Guerra and Villa de Allende, in the State of Mexico.
All these places have forests that meet the characteristics for this type of butterfly to complete its maturation and mating process.
How many Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries are there?
There are several distributed between both states. Not all are open to the public. Let us know below which ones you can visit and enter. Let's start with those in Michoacán.
1. El Rosario Tourist Parador
The most visited and largest sanctuary of all. It is a few kilometers from the town of Angangueo.
You will have to travel a journey of approximately 2 km, until you reach an altitude of 3,200 m.a.s.l., to reach the exact place where the butterflies are.
Address: 35 km from Zitácuaro, in the forests of Cerro El Campanario, in the municipality of Ocampo, Michoacán. Approximately 191 km from Morelia.
Cost: 45 pesos ($ 3) adults, 35 pesos ($ 1.84) children.
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
2. Sierra Chincua
10 km from Angangueo, it is the second most visited sanctuary after El Rosario.
A visitor center, artisan shops and restaurants await you. You can also carry out activities that improve your physical and adventure skills.
To reach the place where the butterflies are, you must travel 2.5 km of plains and mountains, where you will admire the natural beauties of the environment.
Address: 43 km from Zitácuaro in the forests of Cerro Prieto, in the municipality of Ocampo. More or less 153 km from Morelia.
Cost: 35 pesos ($ 1.84) adults and 30 pesos children ($ 1.58).
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
In the State of Mexico
Let's know the sanctuaries found in the State of Mexico.
3. El Capulín Ejido Sanctuary
Located on Cerro Pelón in the Donato Guerra municipality. You must exceed 4 km of distance to observe the butterflies.
This sanctuary offers you various recreational activities and accommodation.
Address: 24 km from the Cabecera de Donato Guerra.
Cost: from 30 pesos ($ 1.58) to 40 pesos ($ 2).
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
4. Piedra Herrada Sanctuary
The only sanctuary outside the monarch butterfly biosphere reserve. It is located on the slopes of the Nevado de Toluca.
Although you will have to walk for 40 minutes to observe the butterflies, you will still enjoy every second of the landscape.
Address: Toluca - Valle de Bravo highway, Km 75 San Mateo Almomoloa Temascaltepec.
Cost: 50 pesos ($ 3) adults.
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
5. La Mesa Sanctuary
At the base of the mountains on the border between the state of Michoacán and the State of Mexico. It is a tourist parador with restaurants and souvenir shops. You will have cabins to stay.
Location: 38 km from Villa Victoria in the eastern forests of Cerro Campanario.
Cost: 35 pesos ($ 1.84), approximately.
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
How to get to the sanctuaries in the State of Mexico by car?
Travel along federal highway 15 Mexico - Toluca to highway 134. Turn right at kilometer 138 and merge onto state highway 15 that will take you to Valle de Bravo. You will reach the sanctuaries in 10 minutes.
How to get to the sanctuaries in the state of Michoacán by car?
You have two alternatives to visit them by car.
In the first one, you will go along Highway 15 from Mexico to Zitácuaro. Upon arrival, you will join the road to Ciudad Hidalgo and cross to the right towards Angangueo, at the height of San Felipe de Anzati.
Way number 2
Go on Highway 15D from Mexico to Guadalajara. You must leave in Maravatío in the direction of Ciudad Hidalgo.
Turn left towards Aporo a little before reaching the town of Irimbo.
At the end of this road you will choose between Ocampo (turning to the right) or Angangueo (turning left), either of these routes will take you to the sanctuaries.
Trip by bus
You have two alternatives to travel by bus. The first is to leave for Valle de Bravo from the Central Bus Terminal Poniente, in Mexico City, where units leave every 30 minutes. The cost of the ticket is 200 pesos, $ 11. The trip is two hours.
Option number 2
It departs from a bus bound for Angangueo from the Central Bus Terminal Poniente. The ticket has a value of 233 pesos ($ 13) and the trip lasts 3 and a half hours.
What is the best time to visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary?
The migratory pattern of the butterflies between October and March is what determines the best time to visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. They are in Mexico for 5 months.
You will have to walk more to see the butterflies perched on the branches of the trees forming clusters and seeking to protect each other, as it will be necessary to enter their nuclei. This happens from November to January.
The best time to see them with little effort is between January and the first weeks of February, days when they begin to descend from the nests and you can enjoy the spectacle of thousands of them soaring through the sky.
Where can you stay when visiting the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary?
In all the towns near the monarch butterfly sanctuaries you will find hotels and inns for all budgets, so accommodation will not be an excuse for not visiting these tourist centers.
El Capulín and La Mesa offer you cabins at low prices.
Sanctuaries in the State of Mexico such as El Valle de Bravo have from 5-star hotels to small and comfortable inns.
You can choose between the multiple accommodation options offered by the towns of Zitácuaro and Angangueo, if the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary that you will visit is in Michoacán.
Besides observing the monarch butterfly, what other activities can you do at the sanctuary?
Although the main attraction is the monarch butterfly, horse rides among the beautiful landscapes and rich climate are also favorite activities for families.
In some sanctuaries you can take a zip line, climb climbing walls and cross suspension bridges.
You can visit the artificial lake of the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary, very close to the town of Valle de Bravo, where tourists practice water sports. Families visit the municipal market, the main square and its beautiful viewpoints.
Who protects the monarch butterfly?
For years the Mexican government has taken measures to protect these butterflies, due to their ecological value and because their migration is one of the most impressive phenomena in the animal kingdom.
It has also supported projects that seek to establish sustainable development in the region; take advantage of its resources without compromising on time.
The observation areas of the sanctuaries are delimited, thereby minimizing the human impact on the habitat and normal development of this species.
Controls on the use and exploitation of wood from the forests in which butterflies hibernate are increasingly strict.
All strategies to conserve the monarch butterfly habitat are threatened by climate change, necessitating the collaboration of everyone who visits the sanctuaries, not just the government.
What can you do to protect the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary?
It's simple. You just have to comply with the following rules.
1. Do not disturb the butterflies
The first and most important of all the rules. You should not forget that you will be breaking into their habitat, which will make a recklessness a major impact.
You must respect why the butterflies are there. They are resting and replenishing energy for their return of thousands of kilometers.
2. Keep a safe distance from trees
You will not be closer than 50 meters from the trees. There the butterflies will be resting.
3. Be respectful of the trails
You will have to stay within the boundaries. Otherwise you could get lost or have an accident.
4. Avoid littering
No one should dump garbage in natural spaces or on city streets. The waste will go in the baskets destined for it.
5. Flash prohibited in photographs
The flash in the photograph could alter the hibernation state of the butterflies, causing them to detach from the trees and become exposed to the cold and predators. Is prohibited.
6. No smoking or lighting fire
Any type of flame could be the cause of a forest fire.
7. Respect the observation time
The butterfly observation time is 18 minutes. You should not get over it.
8. Follow the instructions of the guides
Tour guides are people trained to minimize the human impact on the habitat of these animals, so you must attend and respect their guidelines.
9 don't step on the butterflies
Most of the butterflies you might find on the ground will be dead. You should still not step on them. Warn the guides if you see a live one.
Is it safe to visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary?
Yes it is.
All the sanctuaries are supervised by the corresponding security forces. Any criminal act will be isolated and unlikely.
For greater safety, do not separate yourself from the visiting groups, follow the instructions of the guides and do not deviate from the marked trails.
Last tips to visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
To make the experience totally enjoyable, don't underestimate the following tips.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
You will walk a lot in the monarch butterfly sanctuaries, so wear your shoes and dress comfortably.
The type of shoe is also important due to weather conditions. It has closed, sporty and grippy for uneven dirt roads.
Condition your body
You will need to condition your body to support the dozens of kilometers on various types of terrain, to see the butterflies. Not doing so will imply a potential collapse of your body due to fatigue.
Bring water and some sweets
Take water to replace the fluids that you will lose when you sweat. Also sweets to avoid a non-disposable drop in pressure or a loss of energy due to physical wear and tear.
Shop at gift shops
Collaborate with the souvenir shops that are near the shrines. With this you will encourage commerce and tourism.
The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is a beautiful place to visit alone or with the family. It will be a rich experience that will add to your general culture about the animal kingdom. Plan a trip and visit them, you will not regret it.
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See also:
- The TOP 10 Best Hotels Near the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Where to Stay
- Why is Mexico a Megadiverse Country?
- The 112 Magical Towns of Mexico You Need to Know
