Monarch Butterfly Tour Zihuatanejo: El Rosario & Michoacán

Ride to the monarchs, then walk through the towns that inspired Coco

A 3-day small-group tour from Zihuatanejo through Michoacán's colonial heartland, centered on El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary where you can horse ride or hike among millions of migrating monarchs. The itinerary weaves in Pátzcuaro's lakeside markets, Morelia's cathedral and UNESCO streets, the hand-blown glass workshops of Tlalpujahua, and Tzintzuntzan: the real-life setting for the film Coco. Two nights' accommodation in Morelia's historical center, guided tours, entry fees, select meals and round-trip transport from Zihuatanejo are included. Groups stay under ten travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: The Colonial Charm of Pátzcuaro & Morelia

• Depart Zihuatanejo at 7:00 AM
• Guided tour of Pátzcuaro cultural sites
• Lunch at Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
• Explore shops in Pátzcuaro
• Travel to Morelia
• Check in at hotel in Morelia
• Evening at leisure

Day 2: El Rosario Sanctuary and Tlalpujahua Visit

• Continental breakfast at hotel
• Travel to El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary
• Horse ride or hike to sanctuary
• Plant an oyamel tree
• Lunch and souvenir shopping
• Visit Santa’s House in Tlalpujahua
• Visit Tlalpujahua cathedral
• Walk town square mural (if time permits)
• Return to Morelia
• Dinner at Terraza Don Juan

Day 3: Historical Morelia and Vasco de Quiroga Route

• Breakfast at hotel
• Guided tour of Morelia Cathedral and downtown
• Visit Capula village for Catrinas
• Lunch at King of Carnitas in Quiroga
• Explore Quiroga markets
• Visit Tzintzuntzan cemeteries and markets
• Return to Zihuatanejo

The experience

The tour departs Zihuatanejo at 7:00 AM and heads first to Pátzcuaro, a colonial town where you'll have lunch at Plaza Vasco de Quiroga and a guided walk through Casa de los Once Patios (a former convent now filled with local artisans) and the Gertrudis Bocanegra Library, known for its murals by Juan O'Gorman. By evening you're checked into Hotel Rymma in Morelia's historical center, a short walk from the cathedral and the UNESCO World Heritage streets. The rest of the night is yours to explore or rest.

Day 2 is built around El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary, where millions of monarch butterflies spend the winter in the oyamel fir forests. You'll have the choice to ride a horse or hike up to the sanctuary. Both options let you stand among the butterflies as they flutter between the trees. After lunch and time to shop for souvenirs, the tour moves to Tlalpujahua, a former mining town now famous for hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments. You'll visit Santa's House to watch artisans at work, then see the cathedral: a baroque structure built with pink quarry stone and dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen. Supper is at Terraza Don Juan before returning to Morelia for the evening.

Day 3 starts with a guided tour of Morelia Cathedral and the historical downtown, then takes you through the Vasco de Quiroga Route: the village of Capula (where Catrinas are hand-crafted), Quiroga's markets (after lunch at a famous carnitas restaurant), and Tzintzuntzan, where you'll walk past 500-year-old olive trees planted by Vasco de Quiroga himself and through the cemeteries that inspired Disney's Coco. The tour returns to Zihuatanejo around 8–9 PM.

What’s included

• Two nights' accommodation in Morelia's historical center.
• entry to El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary.
• horse ride or hike to the sanctuary.
• guided tours of Pátzcuaro, Morelia Cathedral and downtown, Capula, Quiroga and Tzintzuntzan.
• lunch in Pátzcuaro and Day 3, supper in Tlalpujahua, and breakfast on Days 2 and 3.
• air-conditioned transport and round-trip pickup from Zihuatanejo.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

2 options

A 3-day tour showcasing the charm of Mexico and its monarch butterfliesGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Pickup is included

Private Tours AvailableGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00The hotel can be upgraded. The tour can be customized and lasts 3 days. All meals are included. The vehicle can be upgraded. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kaleidoscope Tours

Is this one for you?The 3-day length lets you see the monarchs, explore four colonial towns, and walk the Coco locations without rushing: a pace that works for travelers who want cultural stops and natural landmarks in one trip. If you need more time in any single place or prefer a faster route, the 2-day and 5-day versions of this tour offer different rhythms.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3).

What's the El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary actually like when you arrive there?

El Rosario is one of the world's largest monarch butterfly wintering grounds, where millions migrate from Canada and the US each year to rest in the oyamel fir forests. You'll see them fluttering in the air and clustered on the trees. The tour also gives you the option to plant an oyamel sapling to support their habitat.

Can I choose between riding a horse or hiking to the butterfly sanctuary?

Yes, both options are available on Day 2. The horse ride and hike are included. If you choose the horse ride, there's an optional additional fee of 170 pesos for the descent.

Where do I stay, and is it in the city center?

Hotel Rymma is in Morelia's historical center, a short walk from the cathedral and the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll stay there both nights of the tour.

What meals are covered, and what do I need to arrange myself?

The tour includes lunch in Pátzcuaro at Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, supper in Tlalpujahua on Day 2, and lunch at a carnitas restaurant on Day 3. Breakfast at the hotel is included on Days 2 and 3. An optional group dinner is available on the evening of Day 1. Other meals and beverages are on your own.

How many people travel in the group, and what's the transport like?

Groups stay under ten travelers, traveling together in air-conditioned transport with round-trip pickup and drop-off from Zihuatanejo. A live guide leads the tour in English or Spanish.

What's included in the price, and what isn't?

The tour includes two nights' accommodation, entry to El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary, the horse ride or hike, guided tours in each town, select meals as listed above, and all transport. Gratuities and alcoholic beverages are not included.