Butterfly Sanctuaries

There are five sanctuaries for the butterflies of which two are open
to visitors. El Rosario is the more popular because there are more
insects there and visitors can get in among them. Chincua is easier to
drive to but requires more walking (2 hours in and 2 hours out).

Chincua is on the highway north from Angangueo, almost exactly at the state line
between Michoacán and Mexico. El Rosario can be reached from either
Angangueo or Ocampo. If you're driving Ocampo is the longer but
easier way: find Melchor Ocampo street (good sign) and go east
(uphill). After 6+ miles at a tee go left. The parking lot is
another 1+ miles of steep rocky road. If you're not driving there
are men with pickups who will take you up to either place. They
lurk on the main street in Angangueo a few blocks south (downhill)
from the center of town. They start out asking 300 pesos (a little
over US$30) but will drop to 250 pretty quick. Try for 200.

If you're driving there's a 20 peso toll charge for the rocky road and
another 20 peso charge for parking. Admission to the sanctuary is 15
pesos. Chincua is about the same.

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