Monarch Reserve

The Monarch Reserve of Michoacan is a World Heritage Site, and the reserve is the wintering ground of Monarch butterflies. These butterflies have migrated from the east portion of the Rockies to the south and central parts of Mexico. The biosphere reserve has a huge area of 56,000 hectares. The main purpose of the reserve is to protect the Monarch butterflies and the entire ecosystem.

The Monarch Butterflies Reserve is located in Mexico City, particularly in the Mexico State and the Michoacan borders. The biosphere reserve is home to about a billion Monarch butterflies that migrate annually. The butterflies gather on branches of trees, and these winged creatures are often found in colonies. They tend to perch on the trees in huge groups, thus causing the branches to sag because of the butterflies’ collective weight. Aside from the beautiful Monarch butterflies, there are several other idyllic sights in the reserves. Several species of trees and plants grow in the forested part of the reserve such as the Juniper, Oak, Pine and Cedars. Many types of animals are also visible in the reserve, which include the coyotes, turkey buzzards, crows, long-tailed weasels, and several species of amphibians, reptiles and hummingbirds.

For those who wish to see the huge colonies of Monarch butterflies in the reserve, the best months to visit are October to March. The butterflies find shelter in the reserve during these the months of the year. However, the reserve is open to the public for the entire year.