[Travel Guide] Monarch Butterflies in Sierra Chincua: Bus from Mexico City (CDMX, Mexico)
From CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico City), it is quite possible to get to the Monarch Butterfly Reserves by bus. Between December and March, millions of migrating monarch butterflies find refuge in Mexico. If you are there during this period, do not hesitate to make the trip.
Organized tours can be very expensive (for almost the same program as us, an agency gave us a quote at 2600MXN/person including transportation & entrance fees, one night in a hotel – without food). With our independent program, you can get there for 1750MXN/person ALL INCLUDED (2 days, 1 night, departing from Mexico City).
The reserves of monarch butterflies are numerous in the state of Michoacan. We compared the reserves and it seems that the Sierra Chincua Reserve has the best ratio of effort vs. beauty. It is easily accessible and requires fewer sports efforts (less altitude difference). Here is the program that we recommend:
- Day 1 :
- departure from the Poniente terminal in Mexico city at 6 am. Arrive in Angangueo at 9:19 am. 233MXN
- in high season
- truck to Sierra Chincua, departure around 10:20 am. 30MXN
- 15h: truck to return to Angangueo. 30MXN. Lunch
- if not: two-way cab 300MXN
- entrance to Sierra Chincua Reserve: 50MXN/person
- if you opt for a horse: 100MXN/gallon
- Visit the Mineral village of Angangueo. Spend a night here (count 20€/person, Booking link)
- Day 2 :
- cab from Angangueo to Tlalpujahua de Rayón: 400MXN, there are colectivos in the morning but they are often full
- visit the village Tlalpujahua de Rayón, its artisans (glassblowers)
- visit its old mine Las Estrellas: no entrance fee, you tip the guide (50MXN/person advised)
- by cab: 200MXN including 1h20 waiting time and deposit in El Oro
- cab to El Oro.
- Visit the village of El Oro (its theater 5MXN/person and national palace 5MXN/person)
- Bus from El Oro to Mexico City (2h30) for 190MXN. Departure every hour
