Senguio

Travel Guide

Up to 1 billion monarchs winter in the mountainous pine-oak forests of central Mexico after completing one of the most spectacular migrations on Earth.

From November to March they hibernate here, waking only long enough each day to sip water and gather pollen. As the weather warms they fatten up and mate. The males die quickly, but the pregnant females head north to Texas in search of a milkweed plant on which to lay their eggs.

Four days later each egg hatches into a tiny caterpillar that feeds non-stop for two weeks before molting into a small cocoon-like chrysalis. Hormonal changes lead to the "birth" of the next generation of monarch, which continues the northward migration. Over the course of the spring and summer three successive generations of butterflies repeat this cycle on their northward trek. By the time the fourth generation emerges it is once again time to head south - a journey last undertaken by this generation's great-great-grandparents.

The El Rosario sanctuary is open to visits, but it's a long drive from Zitacuaro and you need to get here early in the day to catch the monarchs when they are active. It also requires some steep hikes at elevations great than 10,000ft (3,000m).

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Villa Clauss

19 Dolores Centro Tlalpujahua MICH

Stay at this hotel in Tlalpujahua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions López Rayon Brothers Museum and Sanctuary of ...

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OYO Hotel El Mineral, Tlalpujahua

Libertad 47, Centro Tlalpujahua MICH

Stay at this hotel in Tlalpujahua. Popular attractions López Rayon Brothers Museum and Sanctuary of Carmen are located nearby.

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Hotel Ex Hacienda el Molino

Carretera Ciudad Hidalgo-Tuxpan S/N Ciudad Hidalgo MICH

Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Ciudad Hidalgo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Tziranda Grotto and El ...

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La villafranca del Cid

Domicilio conocido mesa de cedano Zitácuaro MICH

Stay at this villa in Zitácuaro. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Station House and Independence Hill are located nearby.

Cabañas Esperanza

Avenida Trigueros s/n Tlalpujahua MICH

Stay at this cabin in Tlalpujahua. Enjoy daily housekeeping, a garden, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions López Rayon Brothers Museum and Sanctuary of ...

MR Hotel

42 Av. Lázaro Cárdenas Ciudad Hidalgo MICH

Stay at this aparthotel in Ciudad Hidalgo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions The Sulfurs and Bicentennial Plaza are located ...

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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.