Best places to travel in November (Global)

Mexico 

You know what? If you’re thinking about Mexico in November, you’re basically hitting the jackpot. And here’s why it’s Day of the Dead season, which honestly sounds way more morbid than it actually is!

The whole country goes absolutely wild for Día de los Muertos around the first of November. I’m talking parades in the streets, live music everywhere, and get this, people actually have these beautiful candlelit dinners right in the cemeteries with their loved ones who’ve passed. Sounds intense, right? 

But it’s actually this incredible celebration of life and memory. Just be ready for crowds, though, especially if you hit up Oaxaca or Mexico City. Trust me, everyone and their mother will be there, but that’s honestly what makes it so electric.

But here’s the thing: November’s not just about the festivities. The weather finally gets its act together after all that summer rain nonsense. You’ll get those perfect warm days that make you want to explore everything. Want to check out a tiny town you’ve never heard of? Perfect weather for it. Feel like lounging on a beach? The coastal areas are calling your name.

If you do go, definitely don’t sleep on the Mexico City, Mérida, and Isla Holbox combo. That’s like the holy trinity of Mexican destinations right there.

So that you know what you’re getting into. It’s about a 12-hour flight direct. They’re 6 hours behind us, temperatures are sitting pretty between 22 to 34°C depending on where you end up, and the rain? Barely there anymore, we’re talking maybe 4 to 116mm depending on the region.

Honestly, November in Mexico just hits different. Are you thinking about it?

Canada

Canada in November is basically winter wonderland mode activated. The cold kicks in, the snow starts doing its thing, and that’s exactly when the country feels seriously magical. Toronto and Montreal light up with winter festivals, outdoor ice rinks straight out of a movie, and cozy Christmas markets that make everything feel festive.

City breaks are perfect at this time. Picture bundled-up coats, walking tours where the air turns into little clouds, and quick escapes into cafés for the richest hot chocolate. Indoors, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto or the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offer warm, cultural breaks from the cold.

For adventure, Banff and Jasper in Alberta deliver snow-covered mountains and postcard-perfect views with barely any crowds around. On the west coast, British Columbia still has salmon season winding down, while Churchill in Manitoba becomes the ultimate spot for polar bear watching, a bucket list experience.

Temperatures range wildly, from about -26°C in Manitoba to 11°C along the coast of BC. Flights run between 5½ and 11 hours, depending on the destination, with time zones spread right across the country.

For anyone ready to bundle up, November in Canada is pure winter magic with a mix of city sparkle, wild landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

The USA

It’s like the country can’t make up its mind about what season it wants to be! Up north, you’ve got this whole unpredictable weather situation going on where you literally don’t know if you need a t-shirt or a parka from one day to the next.

Places like the Deep South, Florida, California, and the Southwest are still living their best life with mild, dry weather. It’s perfect if you’re trying to escape the doom and gloom up north.

November is actually clutch timing because you get all that gorgeous sunshine and can hit up the beaches or go exploring those lush forest areas, but without the crazy holiday crowds that show up in December. It’s like getting the VIP experience before everyone else crashes the party.

Here’s something cool: autumn decides to be fashionably late in the south, so you can still catch those Instagram-worthy fall colors in places like Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains. You know, those pics that make everyone jealous on social media?

But listen, whatever you do, do not travel the week of Thanksgiving, that’s the fourth Thursday in November. Trust me on this one. It’s an absolute nightmare. Everyone and their dog are traveling, prices go through the roof, and you’ll be stuck in airports forever. 

Flight times are all over the map, 7 hours to New York, but if you’re feeling fancy and going to Hawaii, you’re looking at 20 hours. Temperatures range from a frigid 1°C to a lovely 28°C, depending on where you land.

November’s not a bad time to explore the US if you pick your spots right.

India

November in India is basically hitting the travel lottery! Like, this is when you want to go if you’re thinking about it.

So here’s the thing: remember how brutal Indian summers can be? Well, November is like India’s way of apologizing for all that insane heat. The temperatures are warm enough that you’re not freezing your butt off, but not so hot that you feel like you’re melting into the pavement every time you step outside. And the rain? Barely there, which is a total game-changer.

This makes it perfect for actually doing stuff. You can wander around the cities without feeling like you need a shower every five minutes, and if you’re into the whole wildlife thing, the national parks are absolutely incredible this time of year. Everyone else has figured this out, too, so it’s going to be busy. Like, really busy.

Depending on the year, you might hit Diwali season, which is an amazing festival of lights. Fair warning, though, if that lines up with your trip, expect crowds on steroids. But honestly? Totally worth it for the experience. Warm, dry, perfect beach weather without the crazy monsoon drama.

The Mumbai and Goa combo is actually genius, you get that intense city vibe and then boom, chill beach time. Best of both worlds, right? The flight’s about 8½ hours to New Delhi, they’re 5½ hours ahead, and temperatures range from 3°C up north in the mountains to a toasty 33°C elsewhere.

Australia 

November is springtime in Australia, with wildflowers and birds easy to spot. It’s a comfortable time for a hike or a drive along the East Coast. Down south, the days are warm and sunny, nice for walking around the cities or going to the beach. 

It might be cooler in the water after winter, but still good for exploring. Don’t forget to check out Margaret River if you can. Temperatures change depending on the area, but are mostly between 11 and 33 degrees C.

South Africa 

In South Africa, November is the start of summer. It’s warm, but not too hot. Some areas, like Kruger National Park, start to see rain, but it usually doesn’t last long and makes the air fresh. There are fewer people on safari now, but it’s a great time to see animals. 

The Garden Route is beautiful for a road trip, and you can see whales before they swim south. Some cool things to do are going on safari or driving along the Garden Route. Daytime temperatures are around 20 to 28 degrees C.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica in November is like catching it at this perfect sweet spot, but here’s the thing: nobody really knows when the rainy season is going to call it quits. It’s basically Mother Nature playing hard to get! But usually by mid-to-late November, she’s done with her drama, and the heavy rain finally backs off.

And this is where it gets good, because everyone’s still scared of the rain that’s mostly over, you basically have the place to yourself! I’m talking better hotel deals, no crowds fighting for the best spots, the whole nine yards. It’s like being in on this secret that nobody else figured out yet.

Pleasantly warm without that brutal summer heat that makes you feel like you’re living in an oven. We’re talking that Goldilocks zone of temperatures, you know? But here’s where it gets really cool: all that rain that just ended? It turned everything absolutely gorgeous. 

The national parks are this insane shade of green, the waterfalls are going full beast mode, and since there’s hardly anyone around, the animals are way more chill about showing up. It’s like having your own private nature documentary.

And the beaches? Both coasts are just starting to heat up without the summer circus of tourists. Perfect for some serious beach bumming without having to fight for a spot on the sand.

Flight’s about 11 hours, they’re 6 hours behind us, and you’re looking at temps between 24-31°C. Rain can still be anywhere from 86 to 604mm, depending on where you end up, but hey, that’s what makes it so green and gorgeous, right?

Vietnam

Vietnam in November? Total no-brainer, like, everyone’s figured this out, which is why it’s crazy popular. But here’s why they’re all onto something.

Up north, it’s like the country finally exhales after dealing with all that brutal summer heat and humidity. You know that feeling when you step out of a sauna? It’s the opposite of that; everything just becomes perfectly pleasant and dry. Finally, you can actually explore without feeling like you’re swimming through the air!

Down south, though? That’s where the party’s at because the hot dry season is just kicking off. Perfect timing for those gorgeous beaches, I’m talking Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet. Basically, Instagram paradise without the monsoon drama.

Central Vietnam’s doing its own thing as usual, nice and balmy, but watch out because it’ll randomly dump buckets of rain on you out of nowhere. Like, seriously, one minute you’re fine, the next minute it’s like someone turned on a fire hose. Just Vietnam being Vietnam, you know?

Flight’s about 13½ hours via Paris, they’re 7 hours ahead, temps sitting pretty between 26-32°C. Not too shabby, right?

Japan

Japan in November for a hot second? This is when Japan basically shows off and makes every other country jealous.

Fresh air, those perfect blue skies that look fake, they’re so pretty, and the foliage? Oh my god, the foliage. I’m talking mountains that look like they’re literally on fire with all these insane oranges, reds, and golds. It’s like someone went crazy with a paintbrush and just said, “Let’s make this absolutely ridiculous.”

The hiking trails are next level during this time, and even if you’re more of a city person, the temples and shrines have these incredible leafy gardens that are perfect for your fall aesthetic photos. You know the ones I’m talking about!

Mornings and evenings can get pretty chilly, especially late in the month. But that’s what makes slipping into those hot springs feel so damn good. It’s like nature’s own spa day.

11½ hours flight to Tokyo, 9 hours ahead of us, temps anywhere from -5 to 23°C depending on where you end up.

Have you been thinking about either of these? Because November’s definitely the move!