Mexico weather in November
Avg. temperature: 16.3°C / 61.3°F | Sun: 232 hours a month |
Rain: 12.6 mm per month | Avg. Humidity: 57% |
Visiting Mexico in November
November has descended upon Mexico, and it seems as if the tourists are not really around. This is the perfect time for you to take advantage of the relative emptiness of Mexico’s tourist industry and make an adventure for yourself! From the warm waters of the Yucatan, to the festivities of the Day of the Dead, to the great fun of the many events that November has to offer Mexicans, the country is your special oyster, and it is up to you to see which one has the special taste.
Hurricane season and the rainy season officially ends in November, which reveals Mexico’s sunny and warm climate again without any interruptions. It is a refreshing time to go because the heat will not be oppressive, and the day resets with a cool evening, so it is recommended that you bring a light jacket for those evenings. November is perfect for swimming because the warm waters from the equator meet with the cool water temperatures in the north to create a great temperature for swimmers. In Mexico City, it does get cooler with occasional rain, but the rain is extremely few and far between, but just in case, bring light rainwear. The sun really shines over the Baja California region and the Pacific Coast. The dry season is in full swing in these regions and the humidity ramps up perfectly for curious vacationers like you!
Things to do in Mexico in November
Day of the Dead
El Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is one of the most celebrated holidays in Mexico. Although the day happens on November 2nd, festivities usually begin in the last week of October. The holiday is a holiday of honouring your ancestors or deceased loved ones. Friends and family gather to pray for their loved ones and they “help support their spiritual journey” in the afterlife. Death is viewed in a way that is natural to the human cycle. In Mexico, life does not end in death. Rather, it is viewed as a test to the afterlife and it is the responsibility of those who love you to help you progress and grow in order to be accepted to a higher power. You may imagine this may be a day of sadness, but you will be surprised to find out that it is a day of celebration. People light incense in the streets, there are many street parties all over the country. Face paintings are not uncommon and cemeteries are filled with food and adornments.
Revolution and Reverence
Every year on November 20th, Mexico comes alive with the anniversary of the 1920 revolution. This was a major armed struggle where the entire country was plunged into almost a civil war. For what was at first a political struggle, this bled into a conflict between the wealthy elites of the country and the agrarian workers who recognized their rights and asked for more. This was one of the great national upheavals in the 20th Century with a struggle akin to the Russian Revolution This revolution touched every region and every town in the country, so it was a revolution in the truest sense of the matter. So for this reason, every city, every town and every region in Mexico comes together to commemorate the revolution. The streets are traced with parades everywhere, and singing and dancing of happiness that Mexico finally received a strong government with a sound constitution. An air of pride and revolutionary fervour is definitely felt, and for you, there is much to see, much to experience and much to learn about. You are also able to enjoy the delicious food being vended at the kiosks, and a lot of dancing to do with the locals or each other! Revolution Day is definitely a day to remember.
Jammin’ to Jazz
Guanajuato is one of the most stunning places in Mexico to visit. Its historical centre attracts tens of thousands of tourists each year. Its history is as rich as its culture, partially thanks to its culture. Local artists invested into the city’s beautiful architecture and began what we enjoy today’s art and cultural institutes to build a reputation for the city to the rest of Mexico and eventually the world! With this flourishing international community, the art of Jazz was brought in from New Orleans. While the origins of this introduction is unknown, it is said that it was brought into Guanajuato by G.I.s coming back from the Second World War or by foreign art students, or both! Either way, the San Miguel de Allende Jazz Festival brings the best of jazz and blues every year from November 16 to November 20. This international festival has shows in all venues and many have performers playing their tunes at the same time, causing a beautiful effect of jazz filling up the streets at all times. This is the perfect time to wind down, have a cocktail and have a sophisticated hangout with your friends or family.
Best Places to Visit in Mexico in November
San Miguel de Allende
This city is another of Mexico’s stunning towns. Thousands of people flock to this city to marvel at the UNESCO protected historical centre. The colonial architecture takes from the Baroque and Neoclassical architecture which is immaculately preserved by the government. Its tumultuous history is a testament to the resilience of the city as the worth of it as well. After being reduced to a ghost town due to the 1918 influenza pandemic, foreign artists who took an interest in its beautiful architecture did not let the city go to waste. They began cultural events and invested heavily into the arts to facilitate a reputation around the country as a bohemian town with a lot of potential, and it shows to this day. This is where you can be yourself and explore at your own pace, and there are a lot of attractions waiting for you. Have a coffee at the Jardin Allende, the main plaza, where you can watch people go about their business and appreciate the live music and dances every single day. This is the centre of all the activity in the city. The city’s historic centre is a city of courtyards, with over 2,000 courtyards immaculately kept and preserved to perfection to facilitate an old-timey feel to the city. The city does have hilly terrain so it is worth bringing the appropriate footwear to your sightseeing adventure!
Guadalajara
The second largest metropolitan area in the country, Guadalajara is packed with things to see and things to do. The cultural life in Guadalajara is unique, and is one of the most important cultural centres in the country. The government invests a vast amount of money into cultural campaigns and events and activities to enrich the cultural significance of the city and the rest of the region, with the University of Guadalajara bringing one of the biggest sponsors for major attractions and events that brings people from all over Mexico to enjoy.
The historical center hosts Spanish Colonial architecture, as it was a religious Roman Catholic and civil centre. What is worth noting about the city centre in Guadalajara is the influence of Southern Spain’s Mozarabic architecture as well as Italian architecture. You will not find a shortage of art galleries, libraries and concert halls in this city. The cathedral serving the archdiocese of Guadalajara dates back to the early Spanish Colonial period in the Sixteenth Century. Take a rest at the shaded plazas of the centre, or you can admire the neoclassical architecture of the Municipal Palace, built in 1774. Enjoy the Mariachi music as Guadalajara has been affectionately named the Mariachi capital of the world, the symbol of Western Mexico. Get a taste of the traditional foods of Guadalajara like Birria, a special meat dish cooked with the local maguey leaves. Best of all, try the famous Tequila which is only allowed to be produced in the state of Jalisco.
Cancun
If you think of a starting place to start your Mexican adventure, Cancun will definitely come to mind. This city is one of the most beloved vacation destinations in Mexico for foreign tourists. Built in the 1970s as part of a government initiative to tie all parts of Mexico together as the perfect holiday destination, The city has been carefully planned out to facilitate the perfect vacation experience for both local and international travelers. There are stretches and stretches of beaches for you to choose from, not that you really need to, since the chances are, you will have a beach at your feet from any resort you choose. For a really great local experience, visit the Mercado 28 where you have the choice of hundreds and hundreds of stores to haggle for trinkets, souvenirs, clothes, and food! The centre of the city is built in a way to provide the best comfort when you are shopping in stores or just wanting to go to a bar. For a more historical adventure, visit the Yucatan’s many pre-Columbian Mayan ruins where you can learn about the life of the Mayan people who still inhabit the area. If you want to cool off after exploring the ruins, you are able to jump or dip into one of the many cenotes (a formation where the ground sinks in to reveal an underground water source; one of the many defining factors of the Yucatan). If you want a relaxed, family-friendly experience, Cancun is the place for you.
Accommodations in Mexico
Mexico is not very busy in November. It is a great time to snag a good deal on accommodation and flights. Towards the end of November, the tourist crowd does start to flow in, but not to the volume that December would get. In Yucatan, the low season will facilitate a great opportunity for you to get low rates and beaches all to yourself! The Mexican Interior is a great place to vacation during November, particularly for the Day of the Dead celebrations, but it is recommended that you book in advance, because you will be contending with both international and domestic tourists. In the Pacific Coast, many domestic tourists tend to vacation there during the November month, but it is still affordable enough and available enough for you to book whenever you please.
Best time to visit Mexico • Jan • Feb • Mar • Apr • May • Jun • Jul • Aug • Sep • Oct • Nov • Dec