Mexico City: Monarch butterfly sanctuary tour + lunch

Summary

Follow the monarchs from Mexico City to their mountain sanctuary

You’ll travel from Mexico City into Michoacán’s mountains with a local guide, hike (or ride horseback) through pine forests to see thousands of monarch butterflies at their sanctuary, and share a traditional Mexican lunch with your group before heading back. It’s an experience full of color and quiet moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is our guide, Lucía, handing me a cup of cinnamon coffee outside the van — she said it helps with the mountain air. We’d barely left Mexico City when she started telling stories about how her abuela used to spot the first butterflies every November. I tried to say “mariposa monarca” properly and got a laugh from her (I’m still not sure I nailed it). The drive out to Michoacán was longer than I thought, but watching the city fade into pine forests felt like shedding layers. There was this quiet anticipation in the van — everyone looking out for orange wings.

At the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, you can feel how high up you are — thinner air, pine needles crunching underfoot, that kind of sharp sunlight you only get in winter. Some people took horses for part of the way (they only go halfway), but I decided to walk. It’s not an easy hike if you’re not used to altitude; I had to stop once or twice just to catch my breath and listen. At one point, all you could hear was wind and then suddenly — this soft fluttering sound overhead. Hundreds of monarchs clinging to branches or swirling above us like confetti. It’s hard to describe without sounding dramatic, but honestly, it felt like being inside a living cloud.

Lunch after the hike tasted better than any meal I’ve had in weeks — handmade tortillas, something spicy with nopales, and sweet atole that steamed in my hands. Our group sat around a wooden table sharing stories; Lucía explained how far these butterflies travel from Canada and the US every year (over 2,500 miles — wild). Someone asked if they always come back to the same trees and she nodded yes, almost proudly. The smell of woodsmoke mixed with pine stuck to my jacket all afternoon.

I keep thinking about those flashes of orange against green branches and how quiet everyone got when we saw them up close. If you’re looking for a day trip from Mexico City that feels both peaceful and kind of surreal, this is it. The ride back was sleepy — sunburned faces pressed against windows as we wound down out of the mountains toward home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Visit

• See monarch butterflies in trees and flying
• Enjoy traditional Mexican food workshop

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Mexico City to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary?

The drive from Mexico City to the sanctuary in Michoacán takes several hours each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this monarch butterfly tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for hotels located on Reforma Avenue and in Polanco.

Can I ride a horse instead of hiking at the sanctuary?

You can ride a horse for part of the path; horses only go halfway before you need to walk about 15 minutes more.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, a traditional Mexican lunch is included after visiting the butterfly colony.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at time of booking.

Is this tour suitable for children or people who aren’t very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for central locations), private vehicle transport out to Michoacán’s Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary with a local guide leading your hike or horseback ride through the forest, plus a traditional Mexican lunch before returning in the evening.