Best places to travel in late november early december

As much as we love a summer vacation or a holiday break, November is actually one of the best times of year to get away from it all. Shoulder season continues to offer lower prices and smaller crowds, and, with a little research, you can find surprisingly cheap airfares. We’ve put together a list of options, all outside of Canada. No matter your travel preference, you should be able to find something that appeals. But make sure you check entry requirements first.

Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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Best places to travel in late november early december

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As it's getting cold and dark in the northern hemisphere, we're all dreaming of jetting off somewhere exotic. This year we're interested in candlelit celebrations, high altitude capers and anywhere south of the equator.

If you want to see the full list, keep scrolling. If you know your travel style, click to your chosen section using one of these handy links:

  • The best November destinations for culture and heritage
  • The best November hot spots for watching wildlife
  • Where to go in November for ideal weather
  • The best longer-term trips in November

The best November destinations for culture and heritage...

Celebrated across Thailand (but particularly stunning in Chiang Mai), Loi Krathong is one of Thailand’s most beautiful celebrations. Pronounced loy kra-tong, Loi translates to ‘float’ while a krathong is a kind of basket woven from banana leaves, traditionally decorated with flowers, incense and candles. 

On the full moon in November, krathongs are floated on rivers and canals as offerings to Pra Mae Khongkha, a Goddess in Southeast Asian Buddhist mythology closely associated with water. The offerings represent a request for forgiveness for using the region’s rivers and deltas. Historically, Thailand is an agricultural society and has relied heavily on its waterways. 

If you float a krathong this November, make sure that it is made from banana leaf or, as is increasingly common, bread, rather than polystyrene. Thai authorities have pulled tens of thousands of non-biodegradable krathongs from the water in recent years. There’s no point in apologising for using rivers by polluting them.

Head to this Baltic beauty for another illuminated celebration. November 18th marks Latvia’s Independence Day. Observed as Proclamation Day, the 18th is a national holiday in Latvia, celebrated with concerts, exhibitions, a military parade and a torchlit march through the streets. 

The Riga parade is a touching display of solidarity and brings Latvians together across the country. The night ends with fireworks and gatherings in public squares. If you’re willing to brave the cold, November is a great time to visit Riga as there is plenty to do. 

Fifteen days after Diwali, on the full moon of Kartika, residents of Varanasi celebrate Dev Deepawali, the ‘Diwali of the Gods’. During this festival, millions of diyas (oil lamps) are placed on the steps of the ghats and floated on the Ganges to honour the river and its Gods. 

It’s said that on this night, the Gods descend to Earth and bathe in the Ganges. The banks of the rivers glow like embers and the bustling city takes on an otherworldly atmosphere. This year Dev Deepawali will be celebrated on the 12th of November. 

No doubt you’ve heard of Day of the Dead, but if you’re yet to experience it in all its macabre glory, head down to Michoacan to join in the festivities. The Day of the Dead (Dia De Muertos) is a UNESCO-honoured Mexican holiday in which people honour the dead by building altars, dressing up and visiting graves. The iconography of the festival has gained international recognition, known for its elaborate costumes and painted sugar skulls. 

Dia De Muertos is a celebration and it is treated exactly as that. Death is viewed positively in Mexico as a natural part of the lifecycle. On this night, the dead are said to return to life to celebrate with loved ones. 

While Mexico’s major urban centres see massive parades and festivities, it’s best to celebrate Dia De Muertos in the south of the country as it has longer roots down there. Scholars speculate that the festival is an amalgam of an Aztec celebration with All Saints’ Day. It was not observed in the north of the country until the 20th century, and so has a richer history in southern regions like Michoacan. Coincide the festival (November 2nd) with a trip to the beautiful coloniall city of Morelia. 

The best November hotspots for watching wildlife...

When it comes to marine life, Argentina’s Valdes Peninsula in November is the Piccadilly Circus of the southern seas. This region is home to a variety of birds, penguins, sea lions, seals, whales, orcas and dolphins. While some species may gather in greater numbers in other months, November gives you the best chance of seeing them all. Don’t you just love it when things come together? 

The peninsula boasts 250 miles of UNESCO-protected coastline bustling with marine life. You'll find lagoons full of lounging fur seals, bays with orcas close enough to photograph and rookeries invaded by penguin colonies. It’s spring in Patagonia and while it won’t be too warm, it’s a lovely time of year to visit southern Argentina. 

November is green season in Chobe. Yes, that can mean a little rain, but that’s a blessing, not a curse. While Chobe is famous for its elephant population and herds of buffalo watering on the riverfront during the dry season, avoiding the green season would be a mistake. 

As well as lower fares, the green season offers an excellent chance to see large groups of zebra as they start to migrate. It’s also birthing season, so be prepared to see a lot of impala lambs and as a result, their predators. 

November in Chobe is the best time, however, for birds. Migratory birds arrive in Chobe in enormous numbers at this time of year. In addition, water-birds including herons and gulls can be found nesting on the riverbanks. 

In November, cool winds sweep over Guatemala’s highlands, blowing away the clouds from the rainy season. That’s why the locals fly kites in central Guatemala on All Saints’ Day.  

You can’t totally discount the possibility of rain, but then a third of the country is rainforest, so what do you expect? The temperature is very reasonable in November, with cool nights in the highlands so no rolling around in stifling heat. Most importantly, the winter rush has not begun. Because of its temperate climate and close proximity to North America, Guatemala can receive a lot of visitors during the winter break. 

Head to the incredible Mayan ruin of Tikal in the north of the country. This ancient citadel was once inhabited by Mesoamerica’s most advanced civilisation, but now, as the forest encroaches, it’s home to the humble spider monkey. The ruins at Tikal are a fantastic place to see this cheeky primate, although, a heads up – they’ve been known to defecate on visitors.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are a series of overseas UK territories in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. They’re incredibly remote and only accessible by boat; the nearest airport is on the Falkland Islands. Known as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ the islands offer the highest concentration of Antarctic wildlife in the world. The islands house large king penguin populations, fur seals, whales, dolphins and are an occasional home to the wandering albatross. 

Visit in November because you can – cruises to the island resume in October after the harsh winter. The voyage takes between 2 and 3 days and as a result, South Georgia is one of the least visited places on the planet. Fewer than 10,000 people visit every year. 

Where to go in November for ideal weather...

During the summer Florida is abuzz with tourists, especially in its theme park capital of Orlando. But there's plenty of other lesser-known regions of the Sunshine State to visit, and in November, it's still warm enough for sunbathers. 

Martin County is one of Florida's secret spots, home to gorgeous white sand beaches, unique historic sites, and the northern hemisphere's most biodiverse lagoon eco-system. 

For observing the best of Florida's wildlife, head to the Everglades National Park, either as a day trip from Miami or for a short stay. The weather at this time of year is ideal for exploring the park's wondrous mangroves and wetlands, either on foot or by kayak. You'll also likely spot a manatee, as they start migrating to the Everglades warm waters during November. 

Itching to get to the slopes? Tignes is the highest altitude ski area in Europe and, thanks to its position atop the Grande Motte glacier, offers the longest ski season in France. The Grande Motte is open for the summer season, between June and August, and reopens in September for the winter season. The rest of the mountain opens up as the weather allows. For an early ski in November, head to Grande Motte.

For a warm European citybreak in November, Athens is an excellent bet. With an average daytime temperature of 16, November is a perfect month for strolling around the city, taking in the Acropolis and the Parthenon and hopping in and out of Athens amazing museums and galleries. 

Be sure to visit the National Archaeological Museum, home to some of the most important findings from the prehistorical era. It is considered one of the best museums in the world. 

With so many outdoor attractions, November is the perfect time to wander around Athens, without the blazing heat of the summer. 

For something a little different this November, catch a wave in Uruguay. Chances are, you'll get them pretty much to yourself. doesn’t receive as much attention as its neighbours, despite having the highest GDP on the continent, beautiful colonial towns and stunning national parks. It’s even lesser known for its surf. 

Montevideo, the cosmopolitan capital, is home to a Spanish citadel as well as Art Deco architecture. While it’s a fantastic city to visit, few travellers explore more of the country. Uruguay’s south coast is dotted with coastal towns offering great access to brilliant surfing beaches. 

Corumba, La Paloma and Punto Del Diablo are two small towns known for excellent surf. Head there in November for mild weather and perfect swells. 

As always, check up-to-date weather and safety information with local authorities before surfing. Weather can be unpredictable in this part of the world. 

Andalucia is famous for its mild winters. With temperatures rarely dipping below 10°C, and only a two hour flight from the UK, Seville makes for a perfect winter weekend getaway. Leave your coat at home and stroll along the Guadilquivir, sip wine in a rooftop bar and dive into one of the city’s many taperias. 

Try carrilladas, a traditional Spanish dish – pork cheeks braised in wine. A truly comforting dish in colder weather.

The best longer term trips in November...

One of the most mysterious and hard to reach countries in the world, Bhutan should be on every travellers list. Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, this spiritual, sub-alpine nation is a real life Shangri-La. Bhutan spans large subtropical plains in the south to mountainous Himalayan regions in the north and is home to the world’s highest unclimbed mountain, Gangkhar Puensum, at 7,500 metres. 

Similarly, the rest of the country has been relatively unspoiled by industrialisation, globalisation and westernisation. It is the planet’s only carbon deficit country, meaning that it absorbs more carbon than it produces. This is partly due to a rich tree planting tradition that the Bhutanese observe, keeping the country green and luscious. 

Keep in mind, Bhutan has not simply missed Westernisation, but actively avoided it. As such, visiting the country is not easy. Bhutan has only one small airport, and only a handful of pilots are qualified to fly in and out of it. There are no intercontinental flights to or from Bhutan, so you must find a connecting flight within Asia. Then there’s the fee. From 23 September 2022, Bhutan will be charging a daily $200 Sustainable Development Fee. This once including an all-inclusive package, now, visitors will have to pay for food, accommodation and transport on top of the cost, making Bhutan an expensive country to travel in.

November is an excellent time to visit as the rainy season has just ended. A lack of precipitation is particularly important in Bhutan’s regions as clear skies make for incredible views. Plus, the new Trans Bhutan Trail will have just opened for the first time in 50 years, ideal for trekkers and cyclists!

Head to India’s tropical Malabar coast this autumn. November is an excellent time to explore Kerala’s palm edged beaches and mangrove lined backwaters. Monsoon season has just ended, giving way to relatively dry conditions, reduced humidity and an average temperature of 28°C.

November also marks the very start of Kerala’s high season and, while things can get very busy around Christmas, visiting in November should allow you to avoid the worst of the crowds. 

Hide from other visitors in a wayanad (treehouse) or leave them on the shore as you drift through the backwaters on a shikara (houseboat).

There’s no getting around it, Oman is hot – hence the old joke ‘Oh man it’s hot.’ So best to visit in a cooler month like November. Expect highs of 31°C and nighttime lows of 21°C. For a longer trip, November is a good choice as the weather will remain cool throughout the country. Visit Muscat’s old town, explore Ramlet Jadilah, the highest sand dune in the world and marvel at Wadi Ghul, the Omani Grand Canyon. 

The canyon is located at the highest point in the Hajar mountain range and is more than one kilometre deep is some places. There is a ridgetop hiking path leading to the abandoned village of As Sab. 

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Spring is an excellent time to visit New Zealand. While things are getting cold in the northern hemisphere, head down under where everything is in bloom. The climate is lovely in November, with an average temperature of around 18°C.  

Naturalists should visit Pukekura Park in the Taranaki region, famed for its rhododendrons (as well as classic cone volcano, reminiscent of Mount Fuji). More adventurous travellers can take advantage of the melting mountain snow which makes for perfect white water rafting conditions.

Of course, the country attracts keen hikers from around the world. Make sure to book onto one of the country's Great Walks before you go. The famous Milford Track usually sells out early, but there are plenty of lesser-known alternatives, such as the Rakiura Track and Heaphy Track, both rooted within Māori culture.

You may also like:

Mexico's true spirit: Celebrating Day of the Dead in Michoacán

Lost and found: Hiking through the remote villages of Guatemala

Rediscovering Oman, a land of mountains, desert and coast

Where is the best place to travel to in November?

Best Places to Visit in November.
Argentine Patagonia..
Tulum..
Curacao..
Swiss Alps..
Shenandoah National Park..
Charlottetown..
Joshua Tree National Park..
Marrakech..

Where is the best trip to take during December?

Best Places to Visit in December.
Phuket..
Rio de Janeiro..
Hawaii - The Big Island..
Banff..
Torres del Paine National Park..
Quebec City..
Park City..
Dubai..

Where is best for winter sun in November?

November holiday destinations for winter sun.
Dubai. Average temperature: 31°C. ... .
Marrakesh, Morocco. Average temperature: 22°C. ... .
Istanbul, Turkey. Average temperature: 15°C. ... .
Yangon, Myanmar. Average temperature: 32°C. ... .
Cinque Terre, Italy. Average temperature: 15°C. ... .
Mauritius. ... .
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. ... .
Bali, Indonesia..

Which country is the best time to visit in November?

The 10 Best Places to Visit in November Around the World.
Mauritius. ... .
Buenos Aires, Argentina. ... .
Istanbul, Turkey. ... .
Piedmont, Italy. ... .
Mexico. ... .
Kyoto, Japan. ... .
Iceland. ... .
Mallorca, Spain. Mallorca in November is for foodies, culture lovers, and nature enthusiasts..