November in the United States is often a dreary time. Unless you’re living in the South, November tends to be cold, dreary, overcast, and unpleasant. Even for those of us living in areas with temperate climates in the winter, though, there’s a good reason to travel.

That reason is that many places around the world are nicer themselves in November. Places where the summers are unbearably hot and humid, places where the weather is constantly rainy or stormy; when the weather calms down and settles into a pleasant pattern, it’s a great time to visit.

November can also be a great time to get away before the rush of the holidays and all of the family visits, social gatherings, and other plans that get in the way of a wintertime vacation. Plus, souvenirs from exotic locales make great Christmas gifts!

So, if you’re looking to hop on a plane and visit somewhere this coming November, what are your best options? Here are five of our favorites, in no particular order.

Option #1: Mexico

First, let’s start with somewhere close to home. The two most commonly visited countries from the United States are, for obvious reasons, Canada and Mexico. Canada, being further north, isn’t necessarily the best option for a November vacation (unless, of course, you’re a huge fan of winter) but Mexico is more our style.

In fact, since Mexico is such a large and varied country, there is a wide range of different things you can do there. November is the first month of the dry season, so the weather is cooler and less humid than it is during the hot and rainy season preceding it. But, since it’s only the start of the dry season, you aren’t going to be disappointed by desiccated and parched landscapes and wildlife.

Temperatures can vary across the country depending on where you want to go, and you might still get a little rain from the last of the summer storms, especially if you go earlier in November. The hurricane season officially ends November 30th as well, so you’re technically in the tail end of the season; just watch the weather reports when you’re planning your trip, and you should be fine.

November 1-2 is the Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which is an incredible celebration with a superficial resemblance to Halloween, though the purpose, aesthetic, and celebrations are very different.

Where can you go? Anywhere! Cancun is a popular destination, and since November is the start of the peak season, it’s going to be crowded, but not as crowded as it will be a couple months later. Mexico city is more temperate and pleasant, but may even be a little cold for some people. Other locations, like Tulum, Oaxaca, and Puerto Vallarta are all great choices as well.

Want to follow in our footsteps? Check out some of our other resources on Mexico, such as:

• Visiting the Cenotes in Cancun, Mexico’s most unique geological feature.
• Taking the perfect trip to Puerto Vallarta.
• Experiencing the ultimate 9-day trip through the Mexican Riviera.

There’s something for everyone in Mexico, and November is a great time to visit!

Option #2: Vietnam

Located in South Eastern Asia alongside other excellent countries to visit in November, like the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, Vietnam is a centrally-located hub of SEA culture and unique experiences. There are a million things to see and do, and November is quite possibly one of the best times of year to visit.

Northern Vietnam, including cities like Hanoi, Ha Giang, and Halong Bay, is extremely pleasant in November. Temperatures are very moderate, and rain is light and infrequent, more of a pleasant mist than a torrential downpour. This is by far the best time of year to visit if you want to go on a jungle hike or trek up the mountains, and it’s an excellent opportunity to ride along on a junk cruise through Halong Bay. If you visit Hanoi, don’t forget to experience one of the café tours and enjoy the unique Vietnamese coffee culture you can’t find anywhere else in the world!

Central Vietnam, meanwhile, is going to be beset by rainfall as the last gasp of the rainy season. Heavy storms can occur, and areas like Hoi Ai are prone to flooding during this time of year. The temperatures are still pleasant, but you’re more likely to be rained out of some of the adventures you’d want to have, and flooding can be sporadically dangerous. If you’re visiting in November, aim for the last week of the month for the best chances of a drier time.

Southern Vietnam, where Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and other cities are located, experiences peak summer in November. It’s a bit warmer, but the skies are clearer, and the humidity drops, making it an excellent time to visit the beaches and soak in the sun. It’s also a great time to dive under the waves or even hop on a plane and jet across for brief trips to other SEA nations.

There are several cultural festivals in November in Vietnam, including the lantern festival, which is an incredible experience.

Option #3: Japan

November in Japan is a lot like November in some of the more mid-southern areas of the United States. The air is clear and crisp, and the skies are usually clear and bright but with that barest hint of winter on the horizon, especially if you’re further to the north. Temperatures are dropping, but you’re not quite into deep winter territory, so wearing warm but fashionable clothing – rather than bundling up against the world – is all you really need.

One of the best things about November in Japan is that you’re getting the peak of the autumn foliage and colors throughout the country. The furthest north and the furthest south won’t be quite the same, but the middle of the country will be ideal for those picturesque snapshots. For travel photography enthusiasts like us, it’s an incredible time to visit. Just remember that the iconic cherry blossoms are a springtime event, so you won’t be seeing those.

One of the coolest things you can do in Japan is visit the temples throughout Kyoto. Since many of the temples have iconic gardens that have been meticulously planned and maintained for centuries, the autumn foliage is the pinnacle of their design. We picked out our favorite temple gardens for you to visit if you like, but keep in mind that some of them require advance tickets and planning. Since November is such a popular time to visit the temples, make sure you plan your itinerary out in advance.

Tokyo, of course, is going to be a thriving city with quite literally anything you could possibly want to do there available. In fact, many people visit and spend months in Japan, and rarely leave the general vicinity of Tokyo.

That said, there’s a ton to see and do all throughout Japan, from other cities like Nagoya, Osaka, and Kanazawa in the same central region down to Nagasaki in the south or all the way north to cities like Sendai and Sapporo. Travel, explore, enjoy the bullet trains that can take you the length of the country in short order, and see the sights!

Pro tip: Japan Air is part of an airline alliance with numerous other airlines, including American Airlines, so if you rack up airline miles or credit card points with American, you can transfer them to Japan Air and use them for your flight!

Don’t forget that November is also the start of the various illumination and lightshow festivals celebrating the lengthening nights and oncoming darkness of winter. The things that can be accomplished with a fusion of modern technology and natural formations are astonishing.

Option #4: The Maldives

For many people, November is the start of a long and dreary winter, and seeing what’s coming up on the calendar can lead you to go stir-crazy. That’s why one of the best things you can do in November is take a vacation to change things up. For our money, one of the best ways to do that is to visit somewhere truly exotic, a tropical paradise and resort unlike anything else you can see in the world.

The Maldives is a chain of tropical islands off the coast of Sri Lanka and south of India, putting them in the deep Indian ocean, far away from your worries and the hustle and bustle of modern culture. That’s not to say you’ll be roughing it, though; the Maldives are covered in high-end resorts to cater to your every need, while still allowing you the flexibility to explore and enjoy the sun, the sea, and the stars.

November is the start of the dry season in the Maldives, which means it’s the beginning of peak tourist season. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – so much of what you do will be on private or chartered tours and individual bungalows that you’ll barely notice how crowded it is. And hey, there’s plenty of room beneath the waves for everyone!

With clear skies, crystalline waters, and perfect temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s, you’re going to have the time of your life in the Maldives in November. We love it so much that we keep going back, and we’ve even reviewed our favorite overwater bungalows.

If there’s any downside to visiting the Maldives during November, it’s this: the Sea of Stars, the iconic bioluminescent plankton that makes the ocean glow at night, peaks during the rainy season. Since November is the start of the dry season, your chances of seeing the Sea of Stars are slim. It’s not impossible to see it, but unless you want to make your trip a few months earlier, you’ll want to go as soon into November as you can for the best chances of experiencing the unique and incredible phenomenon.

Option #5: Portugal

What if you want to visit somewhere that’s a little closer to home while still being more exotic than a simple trip overland to somewhere in Mexico? Portugal is our choice of European destination, at least as far as November goes.

November in Portugal isn’t quite as tropical as some of the other items on this list, but when you want something a little cooler but still nicer than the dreary winter, this European locale is a great option.

Also unlike other options we’ve written about above, Portugal isn’t peaking in November. It’s actually kind of in the off season, where the temperatures are cooling, the weather is growing wild and unpredictable, and – most importantly – costs are falling.

You can pick up reservations for a luxury resort for practically half the cost. Now, the reason for that is obvious; some of the more popular destinations and adventures can get rained out, and if you’re really unlucky, you might be suffering through just as much dreary weather as you would back home. You can, though, still visit many cool locations, like Benagil Cave, and see many of the sights.

Even so, if you’re looking for a bargain to follow, or you just want to experience a compelling European country without the associated high prices for peak tourist seasons, Portugal in November is a great option.

Alternative Destinations

What we’ve put together here is a list of winter destinations that the usual American traveler might want to experience to get away from the doldrums of winter. But we know that many of you love winter sports, winter weather, and activities like ice caving, snowshoeing, and skiing – not to mention cool adventures like seeing the northern lights or spending a night in an ice hotel.

So, let us know! Do you have another summertime tropical destination you’d love to recommend for a November trip? What about a wintery wonderland further to the north (or south) you’d recommend? The world is large, after all, and a single blog post can’t possibly encompass every option. Let us know what your favorite November destination is, and maybe we’ll write a sequel to this post!