Sanctuary of the Fireflies
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sanctuary of the Fireflies worth booking?
Sanctuary of the Fireflies is a 14-hour experience in Mexico City, Mexico, from $86 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $86 per person
The state of Tlaxcala is identified with its great bullfighting tradition for a panoramic tour of the Jorge Aguilar Bullring "El Ranchero". It is one of the most beautiful in the country thanks to the tower of the Cathed
What you get
- Traveler's insurance on board the unit
- Transportation by van departing from Mexico City.
- Sighting of fireflies and walk through the forest
- Bilingual (Spanish and English) speaking group coordinator.
- Visit downtown Tlaxcala and panoramic tour of the Plaza de Toros (Bull Ring)
About this experience
The state of Tlaxcala is identified with its great bullfighting tradition for a panoramic tour of the Jorge Aguilar Bullring "El Ranchero". It is one of the most beautiful in the country thanks to the tower of the Cathedral, this jewel of Tlaxcaltecan bullfighting. We will visit a Rancho Pulquero where we will make a tour of the Magueyera with explanation and demonstration of the different varieties of maguey capason and extraction of aguamiel. In the evening we will adventure through a walk in the magic forest of Nanacamilpa in which every year an incredible natural phenomenon will be presented in which miles of fireflies in the dark night in an incredible light show.
What's included
Included
- Traveler's insurance on board the unit
- Transportation by van departing from Mexico City.
- Sighting of fireflies and walk through the forest
- Bilingual (Spanish and English) speaking group coordinator.
- Visit downtown Tlaxcala and panoramic tour of the Plaza de Toros (Bull Ring)
Not included
- Tips
- Lunch
- Admission to Sanctuary of the Fireflies.
- Admission to the Pulque Ranch: +12USD
What you'll see and do
Tlaxcala
Arrival to the Tlaxcala center where we will visit the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Cathedral, considered one of the oldest and most beautiful for being unique in its kind, for having its bell tower separated from the convent complex and preserving inside a coffered ceiling in Mudejar style. The state of Tlaxcala is identified by its great bullfighting tradition, so we will take a panoramic tour of the Jorge Aguilar -El Ranchero Bullring. It is considered one of the most beautiful in the country thanks to the tower of the Cathedral that escorts this jewel of Tlaxcala bullfighting.
180 minutes here
Rancho Magueyero San Isidro Ruta Del Pulque
In the evening we will venture on a hike to the magical forest of Nanacamilpa where every year an incredible natural phenomenon occurs in which thousands of fireflies turn the night darkness into a spectacle of lights
90 minutes here · Admission included
Villas Del Bosque Santa Elena
In the evening we will venture on a hike to the magical forest of Nanacamilpa where every year an incredible natural phenomenon occurs in which thousands of fireflies turn the night darkness into a spectacle of lights. Every year, fireflies visit the municipalities of Nanacamilpa to reproduce because this area of more than 200 hectares offers ideal humidity and feeding conditions for fireflies. Admission to the Sanctuary of the Fireflies (consider USD 28.00 in cash)
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Mexico City
Near to to Revolution Monument, behind Barceló Reforma hotel, in front of ISSSTE building.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Near to to Revolution Monument, behind Barceló Reforma hotel, in front of ISSSTE building.
Options you can book
Sanctuary of the Fireflies
Duration: 12 hours Van
FIREFLIES 27
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- 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 travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- IMPORTANT NOTE: The sighting of fireflies is a natural phenomenon which depends on climatic factors and other factors in which humans have no influence. If there is a full moon, it is difficult to appreciate their appearance
- Recommendations: Wear hiking boots, come well wrapped (If possible bring another change of clothes), bring a raincoat - access with umbrellas is prohibited
- Indispensable: This tour is not available for pregnant women, hypertensive, diabetic, with heart or lung problems, suffering from any physical or motor disability, liver disease, nervous or with any injury to bones and joints in general
- Participation is suggested for children over 05 years old and young adults with good health and physical condition to walk for long periods of time in different elevated terrain
- Clients should be aware that this is a tour where there is a lot of walking, since in the Sanctuary there is a night walk in the forest (dirt road) of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes - 2 hours approximately.
- No flash, not lamps, etc.
- Profesional cam need to be registered and authorized by the Center (extra charge in cash)
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Sanctuary of the Fireflies. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Must-see - Fireflies
It is a very beautiful, unique, and unrepeatable experience; I highly recommend the tour, it is 100% worth it to be able to observe the fireflies and listen to nature. The guide gave very interesting facts 🙌🏻 the guide at the sanctuary was very nice and informed us about everything related to the fireflies. They were very punctual and the operator drove well 👍🏻
Response from the operator: ¡Hola! Qué alegría leer tu comentario. El Santuario de las Luciérnagas es una experiencia verdaderamente mágica y nos alegra que hayas disfrutado tanto de la naturaleza, la información de nuestros guías y la puntualidad. ¡Gracias por recomendar ampliamente el tour y esperamos verte de nuevo!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Lo maximo
No lo pienses mas, avientate a una noche de magia. Experiencia que nomas puedes explicar con vivirla. Don't think about it twice! Book this trip now. An experience you can only take with you. In your memory and your heart. Such a special treat with great guides. If you see the momma dog, please show her love and feed her some tacos :) Ven preparado para el lodo y el agua
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your vibrant and heartwarming review (and the lovely note about the momma dog!). We're so glad you embraced the adventure of the mud, the rain, and the magic of the fireflies. It truly is an unforgettable experience. Come back anytime!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic sighting
Excellent natural place and weather atmosphere to do the activity
Response from the operator: ¡Hola, Luis Armando! Muchas gracias por tu fantástica calificación. Nos da muchísimo gusto que las condiciones del clima y el entorno natural hayan hecho de tu visita al santuario una gran experiencia. ¡Un saludo de todo el equipo de Mexitours!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 3+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sun
- Price range
- $86 to $97
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sanctuary of the Fireflies: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Mexico City.
How much does Sanctuary of the Fireflies cost?
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Prices start at $86 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 Sanctuary of the Fireflies 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 Sanctuary of the Fireflies worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Mexico City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sanctuary of the Fireflies?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Sanctuary of the Fireflies 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 Sanctuary of the Fireflies?
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Around 1 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 Sanctuary of the Fireflies 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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