Butterfly House Mariposario
A charming sanctuary where thousands of butterflies flutter freely, offering close encounters and educational insights into their life cycle.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more intimate
Butterfly House Mariposario
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more intimate
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming sanctuary where thousands of butterflies flutter freely, offering close encounters and educational insights into their life cycle.
"Many of them are rather friendly and will step on your hand."
🚶♀️ Walk from Aguas Calientes
It's a scenic 20-minute walk from Aguas Calientes to reach the Mariposario.
📸 Photo Opportunities
Allow extra time for photos; the butterflies are often friendly and land on visitors!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Fluttering Wonders
Inside the Butterfly House
Witness thousands of butterflies in all stages of life, from caterpillars to vibrant adults, flying freely around you.
Caterpillar & Cocoon Displays
Research Center
See live caterpillars munching on leaves and a variety of cocoons, offering a fascinating glimpse into metamorphosis.
Birdwatching at the Cafe
Coffee Place
Start your visit with a magical experience spotting diverse bird species with their beautiful colors and songs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Card Fees & Cash
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Walk from Aguas Calientes
It's a scenic 20-minute walk from Aguas Calientes to reach the Mariposario.
📸 Photo Opportunities
Allow extra time for photos; the butterflies are often friendly and land on visitors!
💰 Card Fee Alert
Be aware of a potential 5% extra fee for card payments. Carry cash just in case.
📚 Informative Tours
Enjoy engaging tours in English and Spanish about the butterfly life cycle.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Walk from Aguas Calientes
It's a scenic 20-minute walk from Aguas Calientes to reach the Mariposario.
📸 Photo Opportunities
Allow extra time for photos; the butterflies are often friendly and land on visitors!
💰 Card Fee Alert
Be aware of a potential 5% extra fee for card payments. Carry cash just in case.
📚 Informative Tours
Enjoy engaging tours in English and Spanish about the butterfly life cycle.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Butterfly House Mariposario a charming and interactive stop, perfect for a short, engaging experience. While small, its appeal lies in the close encounters with butterflies and educational displays about their life cycle. The on-site cafe also receives positive mentions for its food and birdwatching opportunities.
"This is a small place, but it's very interactive. You can see the caterpillars munching on leaves outside of jars, and they have a huge variety of cocoons to see. In the butterfly house, many of them are rather friendly and will step on your hand. The tour only takes about 20 minutes but you may spend more time taking photos of butterflies."
Virginia Mott
"We loved our visit to the Mariposario! 🌿 First, we stopped by the coffee place where we could spot so many different types of birds, their beautiful colors and songs made it such a magical start to the experience. Then, we had a very nice introduction and explanation about butterflies, which was both informative and easy to follow. We even got to intersect with some butterflies up close, which was truly wonderful. 🦋 Overall, it was a unique and memorable experience.
✨ Just a tip: if you pay by card, they do charge a 5% extra fee."
Amy Hernandez
"Marvelous learning opportunity and visual delight via the English and Spanish language tours. You'll see living caterpillars and butterflies in all stages of their life cycle plus see them flying around and eating."
Robin Barnes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Butterfly House Mariposario is a pleasant 20-minute walk from Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu. This is the only way to access it, making for a scenic approach.
Yes, the Butterfly House Mariposario is located near Aguas Calientes, which is the gateway town to Machu Picchu. It's a convenient stop before or after visiting the citadel.
Most visitors travel to Aguas Calientes by train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. There are various train services available, including scenic options like the Vistadome. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
A quick 20-minute tour typically costs around 20 soles. It's a worthwhile experience for the price.
While credit cards may be accepted, be aware that some places might charge a 5% extra fee. It's advisable to have cash on hand.
While specific hours can vary, many butterfly houses operate during daylight hours, often from morning to late afternoon. It's best to check locally or confirm with your tour operator.
Given its proximity to Machu Picchu and the nature of the attraction, advance booking is usually not necessary for the Butterfly House itself. However, booking train tickets to Aguas Calientes well in advance is crucial.
🎫 🦋 Onsite Experience
You can see thousands of butterflies flying freely, observe live caterpillars and cocoons, and learn about their life cycle through informative tours. Many butterflies are quite friendly and may land on you.
A typical tour of the Butterfly House lasts about 20 minutes, but you might spend longer if you're taking photos or enjoying the interactive displays.
Yes, many visitors report that the butterflies are quite friendly and may even land on your hands or arms, offering a unique photo opportunity.
Absolutely! The interactive nature and the beauty of the butterflies make it a captivating experience for children, offering a great learning opportunity.
The butterflies are often indigenous to the Machu Picchu area and the Peruvian jungle, showcasing a diverse range of species.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a cafeteria on-site that serves food. The empanadas, particularly the beef ones, have been highly recommended by visitors.
Visitors have specifically praised the empanadas, noting them as some of the best they've had.
Yes, there is a coffee place where you can enjoy a drink and potentially spot various bird species.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, it's a fantastic spot for photography. The butterflies are often calm and may even land on you, providing excellent close-up opportunities.
Anytime you visit will offer great photo ops, but visiting during less crowded times might allow for more patient and focused photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting the on-site cafe for a snack, as the empanadas are highly recommended and can be a treat for the whole family. The walk from Aguas Calientes is also manageable for most children, adding a small adventure to the outing.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Mariposario Experience: More Than Just Butterflies
Beyond the butterflies themselves, the Mariposario often includes a research center where you can learn about the different stages of their development. Many reviews also mention a coffee place that doubles as a birdwatching spot, adding another layer of natural beauty to the visit. This combination of educational displays, close-up wildlife encounters, and a relaxing atmosphere makes it a well-rounded stop.
While the main tour is relatively short, typically around 20 minutes, the overall experience can be extended by taking photos or simply soaking in the environment. It's a place that appeals to all ages, offering a moment of wonder amidst the journey to or from Machu Picchu.
Connecting with Nature: The Walk from Aguas Calientes
This walk allows visitors to appreciate the surrounding environment and build anticipation for what's inside. It's a chance to breathe in the fresh air and perhaps catch glimpses of the local flora and fauna before entering the butterfly sanctuary. The simplicity of this approach contrasts with the more complex logistics of reaching Machu Picchu itself, offering a more relaxed pace.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit