Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City worth booking?
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City is a 14-hour experience in Mexico City, Mexico, from $69 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (13)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $69 per person
06:45 Meeting point at Barceló Reforma Hotel 10:00 Visit the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary at Valle de Bravo, located in the largest state of Mexico. Monarch Butterfly is arriving each fall on Mexican soil when they start its
What you get
- Taxes
- Round trip transportation from Mexico City and professional guide
- Guided visits
- Tour driver
- Travel insurance board unit
About this experience
06:45 Meeting point at Barceló Reforma Hotel 10:00 Visit the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary at Valle de Bravo, located in the largest state of Mexico. Monarch Butterfly is arriving each fall on Mexican soil when they start its migration from Canada and the United States. We will also visit the Bridal Veil waterfall, impressive waterfall that feeds the river San Juan. Named because the forms they take their descent give the appearance of an enormous white "Bridal Veil". Also enjoy a walk through the streets of Valle de Bravo famous for its typical architecture, traditional and colonial and attracts many tourism 21:00 Hrs Approximately we arrive at the Hotel Barcelo Reforma Recommendations: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, a sweatshirt or jacket, go for breakfast or take something for breakfast on the way, bring cash since at the sanctuary the only form of payment is cash in case you want to buy something, a camera.
What's included
Included
- Taxes
- Round trip transportation from Mexico City and professional guide
- Guided visits
- Tour driver
- Travel insurance board unit
Not included
- Tips
- Nothing previously unspecified
- Admission to the monarch sanctuary (pay by cash)
- Food & Beverages
What you'll see and do
Piedra Herrada Sanctuary
To get to the sanctuary, you will take a walk through the forest and our guide will explain to you what the butterflies feed on, how they reproduce, life time among other particularities of their life and specie.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Velo de Novia Waterfall
Continuation to the Velo de Novia Waterfall, which is an impressive waterfall that is fed by the San Juan stream. It receives this name because the forms that its descent takes give the appearance of a huge white "Bridal Veil".
30 minutes here
Valle de Bravo
Then we will visit the Magical Town of Valle de Bravo where we can see its main tourist attraction * Valle de Bravo Lake where you can currently practice water sports and enjoy incredible boat or yacht rides. It has been part of the Valle de Bravo basin since 1947, when the dam of the same name was created to trap water from the Avándaro River, which now gives its name to the lake and one of the adjacent towns.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Mexico City
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sun
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Mexitours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- - The time of return may vary due to traffic situations or the number of people.
- - It is not advisable to book a tour on the same day of the departure of a flight, since we cannot be responsible for the loss of the flight, for any tour delay
- Please consider it is a shared service with bilingual guide, not exclusive English or Spanish, depending on the number of participants of each language.
- BE RESPONSIBLE If you suffer from a heart disease, food or nature allergy, when boarding immediately let your guide know to take the necessary precautions for your care. Likewise, if you experience any discomfort during the journey, let us know!
- COME COMFORTABLE Wear comfortable clothing, a light jacket for the morning and shoes suitable for hiking.
- COME PREPARED The communities do not have a card payment service, bring additional cash for personal expenses and purchases
- Comply with the provisions of each sanctuary, which are the same for everyone
- Do not bring sound devices (recorder, radio, etc.)
- Don't leave trash.
- DON'T FORGET A BATTERY FOR THE CAMERA (OR TWO)
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Physical effort
5 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Monarch Adventure
We had a great time visiting the Monarch Sanctuary. Travelers should be prepared to bring some money for entrance fee, vendor stations, and to use the bathroom. The experience stated pickup was included but we were told there was no hotel pick-up. The meeting point wasn’t too far from where we were staying so we took an Uber to the meet-up location. We went the 3rd week of February and some of the monarchs were starting to migrate north. So perhaps the ideal time is the 2nd week of Feb. we were still able to see many butterflies when we got to the top. Be prepared to hike uphill for about 1.5 miles to the top. They have horses for those that don’t want to hike but you will have to pay for those. We also visited a waterfall and stopped at Valle de Brava. It was a good experience.
via Viator
Great experience
We had a great time. This tour was a long day of driving with 3 stops. The monarch sanctuary was the highlight, and it was a fairly steep but decent trail. We also stopped briefly at the bridal veil waterfall and then had dinner and a boat ride at Valle del. bravo. The whole day was long but worth it.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed the day, especially the monarch sanctuary, it truly is something special. It is indeed a long outing, but we’re happy to hear it felt worth it with the beautiful stops along the way. We hope to see you again on another adventure!
via Viator
No monarchs, and a meh guide.
I am sorry to say that as of February 7, the butterflies in the Piedras herrada flew away. The climate is warmer, so the season on this mountain is shorter. There is little to be done. We can't control the monarchs...but, my tour was on the 11th, so the tour company should have known that there were no butterflies. I would have canceled my tour because this was the primary reason for my visit. The guide said in his first go that "he doesn't like this tour because he really likes doing city tours in cdmx, and doesn't like hiking." The walk to the waterfall was nice. We went to valle de bravo. Our guide lead us through the city on a speed walk where he offered no actual information (we lost two people on the tour and couldn't find them) .... He didn't really seem to know the valle de bravo well, as he asked local for directions. The food at the market was good. I think the guide would have been better if we had just said, meet here at 4 pm, there is the market to buy cheap, yummy eats, and let people to go off and explore this lovely town. Overall it was not a good value for the price.
Response from the operator: Dear Kattina, Unfortunately, this year with the climate change the Monarchs emigrate before of time. Every year the season of monarch is form November to March, but with these changes we found this kind of situations. Is very sad to hear your tour wasn’t something enjoyable. We’re definitely take your feedback for the next season.
via Viator
Experiencia Única /wonderful experience
Excelente experiencia! Wonderful tour! Gaby our guide and Jorge our driver exceeded our expectations! We really recommend it! Lo recomendamos ampliamente!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, we are glad that you had a fantastic time. Your comments are much appreciated and will help other travelers to choose and experience our tours. Best
via Viator
Definitely worth doing!
The tour was great, but it is a lot of walking, often up hill! You definitely need to be fit to do it, but our day was great, and our tour guide Gabriella was great and very informative. And our driver Jorge did a perfect job. The butterflies and waterfall were beautiful. It was a great experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, we are glad that you had a fantastic time. Your comments are much appreciated and will help other travelers to choose and experience our tours. Best
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 3+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sun
- Price range
- $69 to $87
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Mexico City.
How much does Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City cost?
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Prices start at $69 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Mexico City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City take?
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Plan for about 14 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Mexico City is not rushed.
Is Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Mexico City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 3. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 14-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Mexico City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Mexico City and add a light layer if any part of the 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Mexico City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Mexico City?
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On Outty we rank every Mexico City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Frida Kahlo VIP [Museum Tickets Included] Walk, Markets & Churros, Local Foodie Adventure CDMX: Tacos & more with Sherpa Food Tours, Mexico City Historical Centre Food Tour with 7 Tastings & Drinks. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Mexico City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Mexico City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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