Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries
Campeche
Chiapas
Querétaro
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
In the vicinity of Valle de Bravo there are some monarch butterfly sanctuaries that have been declared World Heritage Sites. The warm forests become the perfect habitat for these beautiful butterflies from November to March.
Currently, three sanctuaries have been opened to the public located in El Capulín, La Mesa and Piedra Herrada, in the municipalities of Donato Guerra, San José del Rincón and Temascaltepec, respectively. Where, in addition to contemplating the beautiful spectacle of the Monarch Butterflies, you can admire the landscape of mountains, ravines and forests, either on foot or on horseback.
It is always recommended that you be accompanied by an experienced guide.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries in Estado de México
Ejido El Capulín Sanctuary
It is located in the small town of the same name, where visitors can leave their cars to enter Cerro Pelón. After traveling four kilometers, on foot or on horseback, you can begin to see the huge trees decorated in orange and green with these incredible butterflies.
In the intermediations you can find tables and benches, as well as snacks and cabins.
Location
Located 13 km, approximately 19 minutes from Valle de Bravo.
Piedra Herrada Sanctuary
It is located on the western slopes of the Nevado de Toluca, so the landscape is of imposing elevations that exceed 3,000 meters above sea level and where oyamels predominate, some of the favorite trees of monarch butterflies.
To access this sanctuary, follow the road to Temascaltepec and take the deviation to Valle de Bravo until you reach the Piedra Herrada area.
As in the previous sanctuary, it can be accessed on horseback or on foot, going through beautiful wooded landscapes until you find the resting place of these wonderful butterflies.
Location
Located 29 km, approximately 43 minutes from Valle de Bravo.
La Mesa Sanctuary
It is located in the mountains that separate the states of Michoacán and Estado de México and in the area there are cabins, restaurants, viewpoints and comfortable paths where you can ride a bicycle, although you can also reach the sanctuary on foot or on horseback.
Location
For the La Mesa Sanctuary, take the road from Toluca to Zitácuaro and turn off at Villa Victoria and after the town of La Providencia, 12 km away, is La Mesa. It is 90.6 km away, approximately two and a half hours from Valle de Bravo.
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