Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Mexico’s monarch butterfly sanctuaries open to visitors on November 20
Mexico’s monarch butterfly sanctuaries open to visitors on November 20 as the butterflies arrive for their winter stay and mating season.
The sanctuaries are in forests across Michoacán and the State of Mexico, including El Rosario, Sierra Chincua and Piedra Herrada.
The butterflies travel about 4,000 kilometres from Canada and the United States to spend the winter in Mexico.
In the 2025–2026 season, nine colonies covered 2.93 hectares, 64% more area than the previous season.
The forests shelter the butterflies from cold, rain and wind, helping them conserve energy for their return journey.
Authorities expect the colonies to cover more area this season, but give no specific forecast.
Visitors are asked to stay on trails, avoid disturbing the butterflies and limit their time inside a sanctuary to 18 minutes.
Mexico’s monarch butterfly sanctuaries are scheduled to open to visitors on November 20.
The State of Mexico will lead the opening ceremony, while all sanctuaries will receive visitors at the same time.
The first butterflies were seen in northern Mexico in early October, and some reached El Rosario in late October.
The 2025-2026 season recorded nine colonies covering 2.93 hectares, 64% more area than in the previous season.
Visitors are asked to follow guides’ instructions and limit their time inside a sanctuary to 18 minutes.
- Who
- Visitors to Mexico’s monarch butterfly sanctuaries.
- What
- The sanctuaries will open to the public. All locations will receive visitors at the same time.
- When
- November 20. The year is not stated.
- Where
- Sanctuaries in Michoacán and the State of Mexico.
- Why
- To allow visitors to see monarch butterflies during their winter stay and mating season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first butterflies of the season were seen in northern Mexico.
Monarch butterflies arrived at El Rosario.
The sanctuaries are scheduled to open to visitors.
- Opening date
- November 20
- Opening ceremony
- State of Mexico
- 2025-2026 season
- Nine colonies covering 2.93 hectares
- Change from previous season
- 64% more area than the 1.79 hectares recorded in 2024-2025
- Visitor limit
- Up to 18 minutes inside a sanctuary