Besides Guanajuato and San Miguel, how many of you visiting Mexico City are looking for more short trips nearby?
Mexico is truly a magical place with endless things to explore! Using Mexico City as a base, you can plan 1 to 3-day trips to everything from bustling cities to charming small towns, hot springs, waterfalls, rafting adventures, and even the world-famous Day of the Dead festival. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here!
If you want to skip straight to the travel itinerary, Summer has already prepared it for you—just scroll to the end!
Today, Summer is excited to introduce a one-of-a-kind destination in Mexico—the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve!
Simply put, from November to March, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles from Canada and the United States to this small region in Mexico to escape the cold winter. Among the various butterfly sanctuaries, the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary (El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary) is the largest and most famous.
So, how do you get there?
Witness Thousands of Monarch Butterflies: The Best Way to Visit
Most Convenient Options:
- Day Trip from Mexico City – The easiest way to visit the Monarch Butterfly Reserve.
- Day Trip from Morelia – A great option, especially since Morelia is one of the top destinations for the Day of the Dead festival.
When is the Best Time to See the Monarch Butterflies? January and February!
- Monarch butterflies start arriving in late November and stay until March.
- Outside of this period, there’s no point in visiting—you’ll only see empty trees!
- January and February are the peak months:
- The butterfly population is at its highest.
- The weather is ideal, making it more likely for butterflies to be active.
Summer’s Experience: Visiting the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in March
Summer wasn’t so lucky—by the time of the visit, it was already March. Some butterflies had already left, but the breathtaking sight of thousands of them clustered together remains deeply etched in Summer’s memory!
Can You Do a Multi-Day Trip?
Absolutely! There are hotels and guesthouses in the nearby towns of Ocampo and Angangueo.
Suggested 3-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Travel from Mexico City to Ocampo or Angangueo.
- Day 2: Visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary for sightseeing and photography.
- Day 3: Return to Mexico City or head to Morelia.
For photography enthusiasts, you can extend your stay if you need more time to capture the perfect shots.
Is the Sanctuary at High Altitude? Do You Need to Hike?
- El Rosario Sanctuary is located at nearly 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level.
- After entering the park, you need to hike uphill to reach the butterfly resting areas.
Summer, having arrived late the night before without proper rest, almost collapsed at the sight of the steep slope at the entrance.
Luckily, a friendly Mexican guide appeared out of nowhere—along with his white horse! Without hesitation, Summer hopped on and rode up the hill while the guide effortlessly hiked alongside.
For those who need time to acclimate to high altitude, consider adding an extra day. Or, just take the horseback ride like Summer did to save energy!
What is Ocampo Like at Night?
Summer stayed in Ocampo, a small, quiet town. At night, after having dinner at a street food stall, a quick snap of the empty street scene was sent to friends back home. With only dim streetlights illuminating the town, the eerie darkness shocked Summer’s friends. “Why did you go to such a ghost town?” they asked.
Summer had concerns too! But the next morning, after an anxious journey into the sanctuary and a short horseback ride up the mountain, the breathtaking sight of monarch butterflies cascading from the sky like a golden rainstorm left Summer completely in awe.
How to Plan Short Trips in and Around Mexico City?
Mexico City + Teotihuacan Pyramids + Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary (Minimalist 3-Day Itinerary)
- Day 1: Morning – National Museum of Anthropology | Afternoon – Constitution Square (Zócalo) + National Palace + Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral + Templo Mayor
- Day 2: Teotihuacan Pyramids (Sun & Moon Pyramids) + Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Day 3: Day trip from Mexico City to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Mexico City + Teotihuacan Pyramids + San Miguel de Allende + Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary (4-Day Itinerary)
- Day 1: Morning – National Museum of Anthropology | Afternoon – Constitution Square (Zócalo) + National Palace + Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral + Templo Mayor
- Day 2: Teotihuacan Pyramids (Sun & Moon Pyramids) + Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Day 3: Day trip from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende
- Day 4: Day trip from Mexico City to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
