Know Before You Go | Mexico's Monarch Butterflies
Whether you're preparing for an upcoming trip to the kingdom of the monarchs or just want to know more about the butterfly migration, be sure to check out these useful resources. Learn about the remarkable discovery of the monarch's overwintering sites, browse helpful packing tips and immerse yourself in travel stories that leave the reader enthralled, taken in by imaginings of shimmering gossamer wings in sacred fir forests.
Travel Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about monarchs? We've got answers! We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions about the butterfly migration, Mexico's climate and much more.
A Guide to Mexico's Monarch Butterflies
A Guide to Mexico's Monarch Butterflies
Learn all about monarchs in this comprehensive collection covering butterfly biology, the migration and conservation.
Monarchs Conservation & Community
Monarchs Conservation & Community
Read on to discover how our initiatives in Mexico help protect monarch populations, preserve culture and support community development.
Monarch Butterfly Trivia
Monarch Butterfly Trivia
Take our monarch butterfly quiz below to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with friends to see who knows the most about the monarch migration!
WWF in Action
WWF in Action
Discover how the Mexican government and World Wildlife Fund are helping protect monarch butterflies from unsustainable logging through work with local communities.
Weather & Climate
Weather & Climate
Find out what the weather conditions are typically like in Mexico City and the mountain town of Angangueo during the monarch migration.
Packing List
Packing List
Check out these packing guidelines and a list of all the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack so you'll be well prepared for your adventure to the kingdom of the monarchs.
Travel Stories & Articles
WWF-Mexico Reports Show Monarch Butterflies in Trouble (Plus How to Help)
WWF-Mexico Reports Show Monarch Butterflies in Trouble (Plus How to Help)
—By Valerie Gleaton
Nat Hab conservation partner World Wildlife Fund recently released two reports on the state of Eastern monarch butterfly populations—and the findings are troubling.
Nat Hab conservation partner World Wildlife Fund recently released two reports on the state of Eastern monarch butterfly populations—and the findings are troubling.
Nat Hab Celebrates Women’s History with New Adventure Series: Women in the Wild
Nat Hab Celebrates Women’s History with New Adventure Series: Women in the Wild
—By Megan Brief
Journey into the highlands of Central Mexico with two female Expedition Leaders eager to share their passion for this region’s natural and cultural heritage. Our guides will share the stories of women who were integral in enriching our knowledge of the monarch migration.
Journey into the highlands of Central Mexico with two female Expedition Leaders eager to share their passion for this region’s natural and cultural heritage. Our guides will share the stories of women who were integral in enriching our knowledge of the monarch migration.
The Magic of Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries
The Magic of Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Jimmy Nguyen
If our first visit to El Rosario featured streams of butterflies, this second visit had an ocean. Monarchs surrounded our group, swarming in every direction, flying and landing wherever they pleased.
If our first visit to El Rosario featured streams of butterflies, this second visit had an ocean. Monarchs surrounded our group, swarming in every direction, flying and landing wherever they pleased.
Chasing Monarch Butterflies: A Memoir of Mexico’s El Rosario Preserve
Chasing Monarch Butterflies: A Memoir of Mexico’s El Rosario Preserve
—By Mac Mirabile, Senior Director of Analytics, WWF
A solitary monarch butterfly flutters along a dusty path leading our group of eager eco-tourists toward the monarch’s wintering home high among the oyamel fir and pine trees of the Sierra Madre mountains in Michoacán, Mexico
A solitary monarch butterfly flutters along a dusty path leading our group of eager eco-tourists toward the monarch’s wintering home high among the oyamel fir and pine trees of the Sierra Madre mountains in Michoacán, Mexico
What do Monarch Butterflies Eat? Milkweed 101
What do Monarch Butterflies Eat? Milkweed 101
—By Megan Brief
Milkweeds are toxic to most species; however, despite their seemingly sinister sap, milkweeds breathe life to pollinators and people alike. In fact, one of the easiest ways to conserve monarchs is by planting milkweed!
Milkweeds are toxic to most species; however, despite their seemingly sinister sap, milkweeds breathe life to pollinators and people alike. In fact, one of the easiest ways to conserve monarchs is by planting milkweed!
Why the Monarch Butterfly Migration Is Mexico’s Top Natural Wonder
Why the Monarch Butterfly Migration Is Mexico’s Top Natural Wonder
—By Samantha Miller
Each fall, millions of monarch butterflies land in Mexico’s Central Highlands after a long journey to find respite from the cooling winter temperatures in the northeastern U.S. and Canada.
Each fall, millions of monarch butterflies land in Mexico’s Central Highlands after a long journey to find respite from the cooling winter temperatures in the northeastern U.S. and Canada.
13 Facts About Monarch Butterflies in North America
13 Facts About Monarch Butterflies in North America
—By Nat Hab
Nat Hab’s all-encompassing Mexico monarch butterfly tour gives you extensive time to walk among the monarchs, take photos, and listen to the air hum with the vibration of their wings. Here are 13 monarch butterfly facts to know before you go!
Nat Hab’s all-encompassing Mexico monarch butterfly tour gives you extensive time to walk among the monarchs, take photos, and listen to the air hum with the vibration of their wings. Here are 13 monarch butterfly facts to know before you go!
Rare Moments with Monarch Butterflies in Mexico
Rare Moments with Monarch Butterflies in Mexico
—By Nat Hab Adventure Specialist Joey Sudmeier
Witnessing the monarch migration was a phenomenal experience, but it’s the small moments surrounding it that make this adventure my own personal retreat.
Witnessing the monarch migration was a phenomenal experience, but it’s the small moments surrounding it that make this adventure my own personal retreat.
Butterfly Connections – How Nat Hab’s Scholarship Winner Connected American Students to Rural Mexican Classrooms
Butterfly Connections – How Nat Hab’s Scholarship Winner Connected American Students to Rural Mexican Classrooms
—By Courtney Nachlas
To help connect her students in Indiana to students in rural Angangueo, 2020 Monarch Scholarship Winner Beth Smith set up a collection for school supplies to take down on her trip to see the butterflies. In addition, her students wrote a series of letters with the help of their Spanish teacher, to the Mexican students.
To help connect her students in Indiana to students in rural Angangueo, 2020 Monarch Scholarship Winner Beth Smith set up a collection for school supplies to take down on her trip to see the butterflies. In addition, her students wrote a series of letters with the help of their Spanish teacher, to the Mexican students.
A Collective Effort to Save the Monarch Butterfly Migration
A Collective Effort to Save the Monarch Butterfly Migration
—By Mireille Hess, 2019 Monarch Butterfly Scholarship Grant Winner
My biggest takeaway from this incredible experience is that we’re in this together. Mexico can’t save the monarchs’ migration alone, nor can Canada or America. We have to come together and work together to save this incredible butterfly migration.
My biggest takeaway from this incredible experience is that we’re in this together. Mexico can’t save the monarchs’ migration alone, nor can Canada or America. We have to come together and work together to save this incredible butterfly migration.
Know Before You Go
