Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City

This day trip from Mexico City departs from the Hotel Barceló Reforma at 6:45 AM and returns to the same hotel around 9:00 PM, with the day built around the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary in Valle de Bravo, in the State of Mexico.

The main stop, reached around 10:00 AM, is the sanctuary itself, part of the annual monarch butterfly migration that arrives from Canada and the United States each fall. Getting there involves a walk through the forest, during which your guide explains what the butterflies feed on, how they reproduce, and other details of their life cycle.

From the sanctuary, the tour continues to the Bridal Veil waterfall, fed by the San Juan stream — it gets its name from the way the water's descent resembles a large white bridal veil.

The day also includes a walk through the streets of Valle de Bravo, known for its traditional colonial-style architecture, and a visit to Valle de Bravo Lake, where you can see boats and yachts on the water. The lake has been part of the area's landscape since 1947, when the dam of the same name was built to hold back the waters of the Avándaro River.

The tour recommends wearing comfortable shoes and clothes, bringing a sweatshirt or jacket, eating breakfast beforehand or bringing something to eat on the way, and carrying cash — the sanctuary only accepts cash if you want to buy anything there — along with a camera.

Because it involves hiking, travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health. Return time can vary depending on traffic or group size, and it's not advisable to book this tour on the same day as a flight departure.

This is a shared service with a bilingual guide, and the language mix depends on how many travelers from each language are along that day. If you have a heart condition or a food or nature allergy, you're asked to let your guide know when boarding so they can take the necessary precautions, and communities along the route don't have card payment service, so bring extra cash and, out of respect for the sanctuary, avoid sound devices and don't leave trash behind. Taxes, round-trip transportation, a professional guide, a tour driver, guided visits, and onboard travel insurance are included. Tips, admission to the monarch sanctuary itself — payable in cash on site — and food and beverages are not included.