AVAILABLE FROM MID-DECEMBER TO MID-MARCH
Located approximately 4 hours from Mexico City, the El Rosario sanctuary and other colonies were identified in the 1980s as hibernation sites for monarch butterflies—migratory insects that travel up to 4,000 km from Canada and the U.S. each fall.
During the 1990s and 2000s, reforested lands helped regulate logging. Homero Gómez González, a local leader, promoted community protection, ecotourism, and banned logging within El Rosario.
In 2000, the area officially became known as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, marking the beginning of formal ecotourism. Only two of the eight butterfly colonies, including El Rosario, were opened to the public.
In 2008, UNESCO recognized the reserve as a World Natural Heritage Site.
In recent years, the sanctuary has undergone improvements: upgraded facilities, marked trails, and scenic viewpoints have been added. At the same time, strict regulations remain in place to protect the delicate habitat, including mandatory guides, silent zones, and limited visiting hours.
Homero Gómez was a key figure in the conservation of the sanctuary. As communal president and spokesperson for the ejido, he championed reforestation and ecotourism. However, his activism made him a target of illegal logging operations and organized crime. His disappearance and death in 2020 inspired the Netflix documentary The Guardian of the Monarchs.
Despite his tragic end, his legacy lives on: community patrols, ongoing reforestation (with kilometers of oyamel and pine trees planted), and the strengthening of ecotourism that benefits the local population.
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Car or Van/minivan after 4 people
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Pick up and Drop off
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PayPal or Bank Transfer
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Bilingual Local Guides
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SPANISH AND ENGLISH
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AVAILABLE FROM MID-DECEMBER TO MID-MARCH
Overview
This is a private and personalized tour only for you and your love ones. The total duration is 12 hours and taking the transfers time. This tour includes private transportation, pick up and drop off at your address in Mexico city, your tourist guide/driver, admission to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, 1 hour walking in the forest, 1 bottle of water and 1little bag of snacks per person. After 4 people the vehicle is a new van with air conditioner.
You can personalize this tour.
Highlights
- Founded in 1792, Angangueo preserves the splendor of its mining past with contrasting churches, colonial homes, and old mines that reflect the legacy of Spanish, English, and French settlers.
- Every winter, millions of monarch butterflies arrive from Canada and the U.S. to Angangueo’s oyamel forests, creating one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles on Earth.
- This sanctuary offers guided trails through butterfly-covered trees, with strict ecological guidelines that ensure a respectful and magical experience.
