Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

Monarch butterflies spend the winter in Mexico.

A monarch at rest.

Monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada each fall to spend the winter in central Mexico. The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, located outside the town of Angangueo, was created by the Mexican government to protect the monarchs' winter migration site.

The sanctuary, covering 39,791 acres, is 130 miles from Mexico City and preserves five areas, not all of which are open to the public.

El Rosario is open daily during butterfly season, which runs from November through March, and attracts many visitors.

The price of admission includes a tour. You hike up into the reserve with your local guide, which takes about two to three hours. You see beautiful butterflies on the ground, hanging from tree branches by the thousands and sometimes flying in the air.

There is a visitor's center, but few other services are available in the park.