Travel Guide Reserva De La Biosfera Mariposa Monarca

The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is located in eastern Michoacan, on the border with the state of Mexico, and covers nearly 56,000 hectares of coniferous forests. It is in these forests that a few hundred million of them come to breed each year towards the end of October, before leaving again, around mid-April, for the United States and southern Canada (between the Rockies and the Great Lakes). Interesting fact: the average life span of butterflies is 24 days, but monarchs can live up to nine months! During their migration, they will travel more than 140 km per day for a total distance of over 4,800 km. It is the fourth generation that actually migrates to Mexico in the fall! The effect is particularly spectacular when these lepidopterans completely cover the trees with their flamboyant orange coat. To have the chance to see them fly, there must be sunshine. For this reason, there is no point in going early: the butterflies wake up when the sun's rays are strong enough to warm them up, that is to say from 11 am on. Otherwise, you risk observing them when they are huddled in clusters on the trees. The most magical, moving and unforgettable moment is when there are hundreds of them around you, fluttering in all directions. You feel like you are in paradise! It's no surprise that this natural wonder is a UNESCO World Heritage Site It is possible to contemplate them in 5 protected sanctuaries, 2 being open to the public (El Rosario and Sierra Chincua near the village of Angangueo) and 3 (Cerro Pelón, Altamirano and Chivati-Huacal) being closed, reserved for scientists and... for butterflies! They open during the breeding season, from November 15 to March 21, but the best time to visit them is in January. You must be accompanied by a guide for the visit. When you buy your entrance ticket, you will be assigned an authorized guide (do not take the services of a guide in the village of Angangueo). Please note: try to go during the week to make your day more peaceful. Note that a drastic decrease in the number of butterflies has been observed in recent years..