Everything You Need To Know About Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Migration
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There are few things in this world that can bring a grown Mexican man to tears. But, the natural miracle of the monarch butterfly migration is one of those things. Of course, watching 50 million monarchs blanket the blue skies is enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye. It’s no wonder the Mexican people believe these amazing creatures carry the souls of their ancestors. There are really no words that can ever fully capture what it is bear witness to one of mother nature’s most inspiring accomplishments. But I’m still going to try! And give you all the information you need to see them too!
Photo by Sarah Jacques
What is the Monarch Migration?
Who would have thought that a butterfly could fly 2,500 miles from Canada to Mexico? How is it possible for an insect with a 1 month lifespan to migrate? But that is exactly what one super generation of Monarch’s do. Every single year. The reason? To bask in the Mexican sun of course!
Every year, in the late summer a “super” generation of monarch butterfly is born. These butterflies actually delay sexual maturity, in order to save energy, allowing them to live up to 8 months! Because of this extended life span, they are able to migrate and spend the winter in the warmer climates of Mexico. They accomplish this migration by flying from roost to roost until they finally reach the cool mountains.
In February they begin to mate, and once mated start the long trek back across the border. Once they arrive in Texas, they lay eggs on the first milkweed plant they see and parish. Leaving the remainder of the trek for their children to accomplish. With at least 4 generations passing between migrations, how these monarchs find the same trees to hibernate in year after year is a mystery. In my book, this makes the monarch butterfly migration one of the most magical natural miracles in the world.
When To Go
Photo by Sarah Jacques
The reason why the Mexican people hold the monarch so sacred is because they normally start to arrive very close to the day of the dead. And, by the middle of November, their colonies are formed. Therefore, you can see the monarchs anywhere from the end of November to the end of February, with the best months being December and January.
Further, if it’s cold (below 55 degrees), the monarchs will stay clustered for warmth and hibernate in the trees. So, when visiting, give yourself several days to see them both hibernating and in flight. When the sun hits the monarchs, they open up their wings like solar panels. Using the sun they channel warmth, and once they are warm enough, they lift off into the air.
Where To See The Monarch Butterfly Migration
Photo by Sarah Jacques
There are several sanctuaries where you can see the butterflies, all of which are on the border of two states in Mexico, Michoacan and Mexico State. The most commonly visited sanctuaries are,
- Cerro Pelon (Mexico State)
- Sierra Chincua (Michoacan)
- El Rosario (Michoacan)
- Piedra Herrada (Mexico State)
- La Mesa (Mexico State)
With El Rosario and Sierra Chincua belonging to the broader UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. The Cerro Pelon, is the most wild and least touristy sanctuary to visit. It will give you the most raw experience and let you get the closest to the butterflies. If you’re wanting a more authentic experience then I definitely recommend JM Butterfly B&B.
El Rosario sanctuary is one of the most touristed of the sanctuaries, but also has the most infrastructure. There are concrete steps helping you to hike in the high altitudes and avoid riding the horses needed in the other sanctuaries. It’s also one of the most affordable, as the parking fee and ticket price are 150 Mexican pesos each. This means that you can see the butterflies of El Rosario for as little as $16! Incredible!
However, with El Rosario being the most frequented sanctuary by both tourists and locals, prepare to be bombarded with vendors. When we arrived at El Rosario, we were greeted with children singing for a spare coin. And older boys offering to “protect” the car from vandalism. You walk through vendors selling monarch themed goods. And restaurateurs trying to get you to stop for a bite. It is a bit overwhelming, and can be a cultural shock. How to face it? Know that supporting the economy of tourism around the butterflies protects the forest from illegal logging.
How To Prepare For Your Trip
All of the sanctuaries are located about 1.5 – 3 hours away from Mexico City by car. There are many buses, tours, and taxis that will be willing to make trek as a day trip from the city. However, be aware that these trips start VERY early in the morning, and, as mentioned, you may end up disappointed. Also, even with concrete steps or horses helping you hike, decent physical fitness is necessary. This is due to the altitude, as in most sanctuaries you will reach 10,000 feet above sea level, making even easy hiking strenuous. I am not very fit, and found myself consistently struggling to catch my breath. While hiking I had to hike slowly and stop frequently.
There are several accessories that I would recommend taking with you on your trip. The first is a bandana, as the trails are very dusty and you will need to cover your nose and mouth. Second, you will need a light jacket. We think of Mexico as warm, but the mountains are cool or in the morning, can even be cold. Finally, bring a real camera! You’ll notice that all the photos were taken by my cousin, because she had a real camera. You need a camera with good zoom quality because the butterflies are far away.
The Monarchs Are In Trouble – How You Can Help
Photo by Sarah Jacques
The truth of the matter is, that the monarch populations are down 90% from historical numbers due to habitat destruction. So, the future of the monarch butterfly migration is in jeopardy. The only way to guarantee to see the monarch butterfly is to support conservation efforts. If you live in a Midwest state in the U.S., especially Texas, plant lots of milkweed and pollinator plots. If you’re like me, and you live in an area where the monarchs don’t pass through, support local organizations such as Butterflies and Their People.
I hope this post inspires you to witness and protect this beautiful phenomenon.
