Where is hot in November?

November can feel like a nothing month before Christmas festivities ramp up in December. In the Northern Hemisphere, days are shortening at an alarming rate. The light is fading, the rain is falling: some areas get their first snowfall, others, their first winter storms. Trees are losing their leaves – on America’s east coast, it’s called stick season, and you might not want to stick it out.

Don’t despair – it’s always sunny somewhere. In other parts of the world, this is the start of a peak November to March season, temperatures are perfect and beaches beckon. Best of all, it’s a quieter month to travel than the busy December period. We have the lowdown for where to visit in November for sun.

Canary Islands: for winter sun in Europe

Whilst much of Europe is battening down the hatches for winter, the Canary Islands remain a beacon of sunshine, sand and superb weather. There are highs of 21°C this month, with six hours of sunshine a day – that’s three times that of London at this time of year – and a sea temperature of 22°C. Plus, there’s only around six days of rain. These islands make for fantastic walking destinations, but summer can be a shade too hot and humid for tackling the surprisingly steep trails. Look to November instead if you want to get high on volcanic vistas and beautiful coastal scenes.

Think November for a Gran Canaria walking tour

Egypt: for balmy sites & sea

After the extreme heat and humidity of summer, in November Cairo has settled to experiencing lovely highs of 25°C and eight hours sun a day, though there’s rarely any rain at any time of year here. Down in Hurghada on the Red Sea you’re getting 27°C and nine hours of sun. Spring and autumn are both good times of year for diving, with calm seas, good visibility, and comfortable water and air temperatures. Next month is busier in Egypt with tourists seeking a Christmas break; November is better for a quieter stay.

Think November for a Family vacation in Egypt

India: for Diwali & divine weather

November is the first month of the main tourist season for many parts of India, with the monsoon rains fully evaporated. Kerala is around 31°C and the sea temperature remains a lovely 28°C. Rajasthan is getting nine hours of sunshine a day, and a maximum day temperature of 29°C. In the state, Pushkar has its camel fair – one of the largest livestock fairs in the world, where there’s plenty to see even if you’re not interested in putting a down payment on a dromedary. It’s also Diwali – heritage sights might be beautifully lit up for the occasion. Expect fireworks displays, and firecrackers.

Think November for a Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour

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Gambia: for migratory birds & sunny climes

Bird’s the word in Gambia this month: cruising down the Gambia River you might spot feathery fishers poised on their perches, and you can go ashore to explore further into the mangrove channels around the Bintang Bolong, the Gambia’s largest tributary. November is near the start of Gambia’s long dry season – and following the rains, the landscapes are looking lush. Migrant birds from Europe arrive here from October through to December – as do travelers looking for sunnier weather. The average daily high in November is a lovely 33°C, and lows of 19°C mean that it’s not punishingly hot at night.

Think November for a Senegal and Gambia river cruise

Mauritius: for the start of summer

Summer starts in Mauritius in November, and this month also marks the start of the main tourist season. There’s warm weather – with average daily highs of 26°C. There are also generally clear waters: ideal conditions for snorkelling and diving. Try a different beach each day, and go where the weather is best as it can be changeable and humid from time to time. Traveling in November means you might come across Diwali celebrations on the island. Consider a twin center, too: Cape Town in South Africa is experiencing its warm, dry spring at this time of year, making for a great pairing.

Think November to pair South Africa with a Mauritius beach vacation

Mexico: for Day of the Dead & sunny days

Head to Mexico’s coastline and the Yucatan Peninsula in November for sunshine, dry weather, and average daily highs of 30°C. It’s cooler in Mexico City – 23°C, in Baja 22°C and in Oaxaca 26°C. Another great reason to visit is Day of the Dead Festival (Dia de los Muertos) – meaning parts of Mexico don’t just sizzle with heat, but with atmosphere, too, thanks to carnivals and events to mark the nation’s most famous festival.

Think November for a multi country Mayan marvel tour

Nicaragua: for Central America at its best

Certain parts of Central America sing in November, and among them is Nicaragua, where you can expect average daily highs of 29°C, around seven hours of daily sunshine and a fading chance of rain after a wet October. December might be a busier time in the Central America region, but November can be the calm before a Christmas rush – and the up and coming destination of Nicaragua is not busy in any case outside of Granada.

Think November for a Central America tour

Thailand: for lovely weather just before peak season

Thailand’s tourism season kicks off in November, during its winter season. Whilst it gets increasingly busy by December and January in the country, sneak in there early: this month you can expect average daily highs of 32°C in Bangkok and eight hours of sunshine a day. Other places, like the west coast, might still have some rain about, and it can be cold at night, especially if you’re out trekking in central and northern Thailand. An evening chill is a small price to pay for exploring some of the country’s last truly remote jungles.

Think November for a Thailand vacation featuring elephants, jungles and the beach
Written by Eloise Barker
Photo credits: [Page banner: Dream Vacations] [Canary Islands: for winter sun in Europe: Jonas Kool] [Gambia: for migratory birds & sunny climes: gisela gerson lohman-braun] [Nicaragua: for Central America at its best: Martin Kulldorff]