When I was planning my travels last year, I partly planned it around being able to experience the migration of the monarch butterflies in Mexico. For many people this is a once in a lifetime – bucket list experience, and it’s certainly one that is worth the trip!
Piedra Herrada is one of the best places to see the migration of the Monarch Butterfly in Mexico. Walking through swarms of thousands of beautiful butterflies darting around you is quite magical and in this guide I’m going to take you through how to best visit Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary – including where to stay, how to get there and top tips!
What is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Mexico?
There are only certain times of the year when it’s possible to experience the migration of these beautiful creatures so you’ve definitely got to time your trip. The best time of year to see monarch butterflies in Mexico is between January and early March. Slightly outside of these times you still might be able to see some butterflies, but in order to see the huge swarms, try to stick within these dates.
Where to stay when visiting Piedra Herrada?
Valle de Bravo is the best place to stay for a number of reasons. Firstly it’s a beautiful place in its own right, so much so that it has been nominated as a Pueblos Magico – one of Mexico’s magical villages. It’s a popular spot for fashionable and wealthy people from Mexican city to come for weekend breaks. Valle de Bravo has quite a European feel, with pine forests, a huge lagoon, and trendy wine bars. If you’re wanting to see the monarch butterflies in Mexico, but also enjoy the cultural side then this is for you.
A pretty and airy property that feels like a cabin the alps, Agradable Hostal is a short walk from the old town up a rather steep hill. The largest room has a gorgeous balcony and all rooms come free breakfast and a large shared common space with a fireplace and games.
Hanna Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel with spacious rooms, a spa & wellness centre as well as fas WiFi, which is not a given in the area.
Surrounded by trees and designed in a traditional style, Hotel El Rebozo has a lovely pool area, a terrace restaurant and a great rustic style cocktail bar.
How to get to Piedra Herrada
Most people travel to Piedra Herrada with their own transport, and that might not be what you want to hear, but it is really the easiest choice. I hired a car from Mexico City and drove to Valle de Bravo, where I stayed for 3 nights and then travelled to the Piedra Herrada sanctuary from there, which only took about an hour. It costs 50 pesos to park in the car park and someone will come round and collect this in cash when you arrive.
Getting to Piedra Herrada by public transport?
Getting to Piedra Herrada by public transport is technically possible but very challenging. First you’d need to get the bus from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo which costs about $180–370. There aren’t that many per day, but they stop at the main bus station in Valle de Bravo. Then you’d have to either hitchhike from the town or get a taxi which would be about $1000 pesos one way – and you’d have to ask the driver to wait.
The other option is joining an organised tour. There are plenty that go from Mexico City and include transportation and entry into the sanctuary area as well as a guide.
Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary- If you’re planning to see the the monarch butterfly migration in Mexico then here are some top tips for visiting Piedra Herrada sanctuary
- Try to time your visit to be on a weekday as on the weekends it can get very busy. Although it is quite spacious, as it’s technically the closest sanctuary to Mexico City then you will get big groups coming from the capital on the weekend, as well as huge tour buses. I visited on a weekday and there were only 3 cars in the car park.
- Wear comfortable shoes – if you’re planning on walking up, then as previously mentioned it is a difficult climb, and you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable.
- Wear layers. At the bottom of the climb, the temperature was quite high, and I had to put suncream on, however when I reached the top it was quite chilly and I needed to wear a hoodie. So you’re best to wear clothes that are fairly easy to take off and on.
- Bring cash – there are no cash machines around and you’ll need to pay for most if not all elements with cash.
- Parking is 50 pesos, entry is 100 pesos and the horse ride (if you choose it) is around 150 pesos.
- Pick a sunny day if possible. You’re more likely to see the migration of the monarch butterflies in Mexico in its most magnificent when the sun is out – then the butterflies really fly around and leave the trees.
- Carry a long lens with you for your camera to capture the butterflies up in the trees.
How to get to the Monarch butterflies in Mexico at Piedra Herrada
There are two ways to get to the top of Piedra Herrada –
- Firstly, option one is to walk. Now I’m going to hammer this home – unless you have a pretty good level of fitness, it’s not an easy walk. The car park has an altitude of 2,850m / 9,350 ft and you’ll be walking up to 3,150m / 10,335 ft. So not only is it a challenging and steep walk, but you’ll be battling the increasing altitude too. This really is one of the best place to see Monarch Butterflies in Mexico though, so the hard work will totally be worth it.
Keep in mind that you’ll also have to carry a bag with what you need for the day. There are a handful of stalls at the bottom but there won’t be anywhere to buy water once you’ve left the car park area, so you’ll need to carry all the drinks and snacks you need.
We were told that the hike was two hours up (very steep) and an hour down. We managed it in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, although we were walking very fast and felt very tired (and sweaty) by the end of it. The walk down only took about 30 minutes.
Just past the toilets (the only toilet block is just on the right past the ticket office) there are some solar panels – the walk up starts to the right. The horses go on the left hand side and you will need to walk on the right initially, before the trails join together later on. Although the walk isn’t really signposted in general, it’s fairly obvious where to walk as it’s such a well trodden trail.
Option 2 is to go by horse – the price is around 150 pesos. Just past the ticket office there are a number of horse owners waiting in the shade with their horses. There is a slightly different trail for the horses up the mountain, although you won’t really be riding the horse, so much as just sitting on the horse as it takes you uphill. The horse owners walk/run alongside the horse the whole way (honestly they need medals for their athleticism).
Make sure to wear comfy trousers, not shorts, as then you won’t get bitten or have any rubbing on your legs from the horses. If you’re not sure of your fitness, then I would suggest you go by horse. The horses are well cared for and the money goes directly to the owners so you’re also helping them.
It’s worth noting that at the end of the horse ride, you will still have to walk for 10 minutes uphill as the horses can’t go any further. It’s not a huge distance but it isn’t flat and if you have mobility issues you won’t be able to do it unfortunately.
Where to eat when visiting Piedra Herrada sanctuary
Piedra Herrada is fairly remote and the nearest town of Valle de Bravo has plenty of options for good restaurants, but it’s still quite a drive away.
Luckily on site there are some food vendors that are well priced and tasty. During the week there are only a couple of open – due to the greatly lower numbers of visitors – but on the weekend there are dozens that line up all the way from the car park to the entrance.
You’ll be able to order local specialities – namely quesadillas with various fillings like chorizo or potato.
What to expect when you’re at the top of the Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary?
When you’ve finished your hike or horse ride then you’ll finally be able to spend some time witnessing the amazing migration of the Monarch Butterflies in Mexico. There are numerous reports online that you’re only given 15 minutes at the top but this isn’t true. I spent a couple of hours there and only came back down at that time to make sure I was back before dusk, but of course I went up on foot.
However, what often seems to happen is if you go up with a guide or horse owner then they will only want to spend so long up there, before they can go down and get a new customer – which is totally understandable. Equally on a weekend when it’s really busy there are reports of wardens limiting time at the top.
You don’t have to take a guide, so if you’re keen to spend a long time at the top then just make it politely clear you don’t need one.
There are clearly signposted areas to walk and ropes to stop you going off the paths.
Enjoy! It’s a really magical experience seeing the Monarch Butterfly in Mexico migration.
