November doesn't get the hype of summer or the December holidays, but that's exactly the point. It's peak shoulder season: prices dip, crowds thin out, and while the weather is a bit of a gamble in some places, plenty of destinations are at their absolute best. A new roundup from The Points Guy makes the case with ten picks — here are the standouts.
For culture, it's hard to beat Oaxaca, Mexico. The city's Day of the Dead celebrations, running October 31 to November 2, bring parades, elaborate costumes, altar visits and street food on a scale that draws travellers from around the world. Bangkok, meanwhile, hosts Loy Krathong on November 24, when floating lanterns light up the Chao Phraya River on the full moon — and early November marks the start of Thailand's dry season, before the winter rush pushes prices up.
Morocco is hitting its stride too. The heat that makes Marrakech punishing in summer eases off, making it pleasant to wander the souks and gardens, while the nearby Atlas Mountains become genuinely good hiking territory. There are new places to sleep as well: the Park Hyatt Marrakech opened this year, and a United Airlines route from Newark plus a new Delta flight from Atlanta have made getting there easier for North Americans.
If you want adventure, the Brazilian Amazon is in its final dry-season month. Belem also hosts the first Global Citizen Festival Amazonia on November 1, pairing Brazilian stars like Anitta and Seu Jorge with Chris Martin and Indigenous climate leaders.
Beach lovers have options on both sides of the globe. St. Barts — normally eye-wateringly expensive — softens its prices in November, and the Saint-Barth Gourmet Festival (November 9-15) brings in five Michelin-starred chefs, including Amaury Bouhours of Le Meurice Alain Ducasse. In Western Australia it's spring, which means wildflowers and the Pair'd Margaret River food and wine festival from November 19-22.
There are solid options for travellers who'd rather stay closer to home. Palm Springs sits at a near-perfect 79 degrees by day in November, before peak season kicks in — with Pride festivities November 6-8, a newly renovated air museum, and a manmade surf lagoon in Palm Desert as added draws. Florence sheds its summer crowds and enters truffle season in Tuscany, though pack for rain.
Two practical notes worth keeping in mind. Thanksgiving week in the US gives anyone not tied to family dinners a four-day window without burning extra leave. And several European Christmas markets switch on their lights at the end of the month, so a late-November city break can catch the festive atmosphere before the December price surge.
The one caveat: November weather can be unpredictable, so build some flexibility into your plans, and book flights and hotels early to lock in the low-season rates that make this month so appealing.
