5 Reasons Why November is the Best Time to Visit the Riviera Maya
By Alex Ruelas
Well, that went fast. 2021 is about to be history and, as the holiday season approaches, many of us are thinking about making one last trip before the year ends. Further, after a weird year, we are craving to go places together and share memorable destinations with friends and family.
Luckily, November is a great time to visit the Riviera Maya. There are many reasons why the penultimate month of the year is arguably the best moment to travel to the Mexican Caribbean: the weather is great, crowds are absent, and there are many things to celebrate.
Sunny, but not too hot
If you have been to the Riviera Maya before, you know it can get scorching. From May through October, the weather is hot. Sometimes a bit too much. 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. That starts to happen in November, when humidity drops and nortes, colder air that pushes south from the pole as winter approaches, bring much-needed respite from the heat.
November also marks the start of the dry season. The number of sunny days increases and rain is much less likely than during the peak wet season, in the month of September. So pack your sun tanning lotion and get ready to enjoy clear skies and, thankfully, not-so-hot days.
Almost hurricane free
Officially, the hurricane season in the North Atlantic starts in May and ends in November. However, the last month of it sees considerably less activity than the previous ones, which means 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.
Admittedly, there is still a possibility of some odd weather event. However, this also means that airfares are lower than during spring, summer, and Christmas. So keep your eyes open and you might get a pretty good deal to travel to the Riviera Maya.
Low season crowds
November is at somewhat of a crossroads in the Riviera Maya travel seasons. It is not nearly as busy as it is in summer, it does not have the buzz of spring break, and is much less hectic than a few weeks later, during Christmas and New Year's.
The second-to-last month of the year still enjoys low-season crowds, which means that you can have the beach and many of the cenotes in the area all to yourself. There is perhaps one weekend where it can get busy. November 20th is a public holiday in Mexico and some people travel within the country. Otherwise, tourists remain home.
Moreover, November already has that festive spirit we long for all year. Thanksgiving marks the start of the holidays and brings that soothing feeling that the yearly hustle is ending and it is time for winding down with the family. The perfect moment to travel together just before the high season is in full swing.
Experience Día de Muertos
It happens at the very start of November and fills the country with color. Día de Muertos, commemorated on November 2nd, is one of the most beautiful Mexican traditions, a day in which we celebrate the lives of those who have parted before us. It is a night for music, food, and folklore that 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. Chief among them in the Yucatán Peninsula is Hanal Pixan, or 'Food for the Souls', the Maya version of this festivity. So, come in November and experience a night full of flowers and flavors dedicated to life after death.
Casa Kati Kaan, Tulum
Still time to catch a bargain
November is still a good time to pay less for your holiday. Air travel and accommodation prices are still at low-season rates, and you can get excellent deals in private villas, especially during the first to weeks of the month. Thanksgiving means most prices go up again the last few days of November and stay high throughout the holiday season. Nonetheless, if you are keen to catch a discount, look for availability before the 15th. You are bound to get yourself a bargain.
Villa Uh Kaay, Sian Ka’an
A Thanksgiving destination
For a long time, the Mexican Caribbean has been one of the favorite destinations for people who want to get quality time at the beach with their loved ones before welcoming winter at home. And the Riviera Maya is ready for it, with spacious private villas available and all set to have a great family dinner. On Thanksgiving Day, many travelers go out to restaurants that offer festive meals. Others prefer to have special dinners cooked at their vacation rentals.
After a year where being together has been complicated, many of us long to travel with friends and family again. And there is perhaps no better time for it than a holiday when we are reminded of everything we are grateful for.
