Why is November a good time to visit the Riviera Maya?

The Riviera Maya is known for its dazzling natural scene, and its blazing weather. For almost 6 months, the weather is more than just “sunny”. As there are many who love it, there are others who would rather not get so easily sunburn. Temperatures soar above 32ºC, and although it’s great for the beach, sometimes it is also nice to get some fresh breeze in the evening. Thankfully, one of the things that make the Riviera Maya an all-year-long destination is the fact that in November, humidity drops and cool air pushes through. This can only mean one thing, winter is coming, bringing a cool breeze with it. So keep on reading and find out Why is November a good time to visit the Riviera Maya?

There’s no typical fall and winter in the Riviera Maya. Even though temperatures drop, it’s still considered quite warm for some travelers who visit freezing locations. 

November also marks the start of the dry season. This means that the number of sunny days increases and rain is much less likely than during the peak wet season that’s between July and October.

This is the perfect weather for many that want to escape to a different side of the Riviera Maya. You’ll still need to pack your sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat but this is all just for self-care. 

One thing that is on everyone’s mind during this time is the hurricane season. Indeed the hurricane season starts in September and ends in November. However, November is less likely to welcome even strong tropical storms. So there’s a much slimmer chance of a storm getting in the way of your holiday plans. Hurricanes become rare as the weather seems to mellow down for the winter. 

Low season crowds

November is the perfect mix of the travel seasons. It has nice weather but is not as busy as in the high season.

From this month to February, you can enjoy low-season crowds. Lucky you, this equals you can have the beach and many of the cenotes in the area all to yourself!

There is perhaps one weekend when it can get busy. November 20th is a public holiday in Mexico and there might be some national travelers.

Moreover, November already has that festive spirit we long for all year. The Day of the Death sets the beginning of the month and Thanksgiving marks the start of the holidays, bringing that soothing feeling of tropical fall. The perfect moment to travel together just before the high-season starts.

Experience Día de Muertos

Why is November a good time to visit the Riviera Maya? Perhaps this is the number one reason wy:

Every year, during the months of September through November, the country paints itself with beautiful colors and traditions. As September is the month were Mexicans celebrate their Independence day, it sets the scene to welcome one of the most emblematic festivities of the country, Día de Muertos. In October, people prepare themselves to celebrate the iconic Day of the Death and Days of All the Saints.

Día de Muertos, commemorated on November 2nd, is one of the most beautiful Mexican traditions, a day that celebrates the lives of those who have parted before us. This is a night for eating delicious dishes, dancing, and folklore everywhere you look, something you will not get to experience any other time of year.

Many travelers come to Mexico exclusively to experience the Day of the Dead. In the Riviera Maya, there are festivals especially curated to show visitors a compilation of traditions from around the country. 

And as part of this famous celebration, in the Yucatán Peninsula, in places like Valladolid and Merida, you’ll find the Hanal Pixan. This is one of the biggest traditions in this area. Meaning ‘Food for the Souls’, the Hanal Pixan is the Mayan version of this festivity. So, come in November and experience a night full of flowers and flavors dedicated to life after death.

On-time for good deals

Aerial view of a Cancun All-Inclusive Resort

Most people plan their vacations months in advance to get the best deals on flights and accommodations. If this is not the case, you’ll be happy to hear that November is actually an excellent time to pay less for your holiday. Surprisingly enough, flight and hotel prices are still at low-season rates. You can get excellent deals on some hotels and all-inclusive resorts, especially during the first two weeks of the month. 

Thanksgiving does have an impact during this month, meaning prices go up again in the last few days of November and stay high throughout the end of the year. Our recommendation is that you look for better deals before the 15th. Keep in mind that on November 20th, Mexico celebrates its Revolution Day, and many national tourists also travel around that date.

A Thanksgiving destinationTraveler's Table Playa del Carmen

For many years now, the Mexican Caribbean has been one of the favorite destinations for U.S. travelers. Today, the Riviera Maya and Cancun are the number one destination for international tourism. These destinations are ready to welcome you with spacious private sets for that great family dinners. You can either choose to stay at your hotel for Thanksgiving Day or as many travelers do, you can go out to restaurants in the Hotel Zone for a festive meal.

After almost 3 years of being through a pandemic, all we want is to celebrate the family and be together, celebrating and being thankful for the life we get to live.