Key takeaways
- November combines shoulder season pricing with major festivals in Morocco, Oaxaca, and Thailand, making it ideal for award point redemptions.
- Direct flights have expanded from U.S. cities to Marrakech, Puerto Escondido, Bangkok, and Las Vegas, improving accessibility compared to prior years.
- New hotel openings across Bangkok, Florence, and Australia offer fresh lodging options with compelling points rates for loyalty members.
- November's weather suits diverse travel styles: pleasant hiking in the Atlas Mountains, dry season in Thailand, and minimal hurricane risk in the Caribbean.
November presents one of the year’s most overlooked travel months. Summer crowds have dispersed. Weather shifts into more comfortable ranges across major destinations. Pricing reflects the transition between peak seasons. For American travelers, Thanksgiving arrives late enough to allow a four-day escape without missing work or school. Simultaneously, destinations spanning Morocco to Australia are entering or sustaining ideal travel conditions. Several begin rolling out holiday celebrations and festivals for the coming months.
Morocco: Desert Mountains and Autumn Festivals
High Atlas Hiking and Marrakech Culture
Morocco’s desert and mountain regions become particularly appealing as temperatures drop from summer extremes. The Atlas Mountains open for hiking in genuinely pleasant conditions rather than the grueling heat of prior months. Marrakech, the country’s cultural heart, benefits from identical weather shifts. Crowds remain lighter than December through February peaks, yet enough visitors circulate to maintain vibrant energy.
Festival Calendar and Cultural Events
Three significant events occur in November. The Marrakech Coffee & Tea Festival runs November 5-7, drawing over 400 exhibitors and hosting workshops and classes. The Marrakech International Film Festival spans November 20-28. Independence Day falls on November 18.
Where to Stay and Getting There
For stays, the Park Hyatt Marrakech (opened 2025) accepts payment in cash from $594 nightly or World of Hyatt points at 25,000 per night. Riad Beij, set in the traditional medina, costs from $168 per night. Mountain travelers can redeem Virgin Red points at Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot for nightly rates of $577 cash or 140,000 points.
Direct flights have recently improved access. United Airlines operates daily from Newark (launched 2024), while Delta flies daily from Atlanta (debuted late 2025).
Oaxaca: Mexico’s Day of the Dead and Coastal Revival
Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead celebration dominates the calendar from October 31 through November 2, particularly in Oaxaca City. Travelers encounter elaborate costumes, processions, street festivals, cemetery visits, and multiple days of music, food, and commemorative activities. The festivities remain legendary for authenticity among Mexico’s holiday observances.
After the celebrations conclude, visitors can settle into the region’s newer hotels. Casa Laurel opened in April 2026. Casa Yati debuted on Ventanilla Beach last summer. La Valise Mazunte, operating as a Small Luxury Hotels property, features six suites and one villa. Nightly rates start at $400 cash or 130,000 Hilton Honors points.
Direct flights streamline coastal access. United flies daily from Houston to Puerto Escondido (launched 2025). American Airlines established daily service from Dallas-Fort Worth in December 2025.
Thailand: Early Dry Season and Festival Season
Weather Shifts and Loy Krathong
Thailand enters its dry season in November, bringing two simultaneous advantages. Hotel and airfare pricing remains favorable before winter peaks. Weather becomes genuinely comfortable.
November 24 marks Loy Krathong, when Thai Buddhists celebrate the full moon by launching decorated floats onto waterways. Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River becomes the primary focus, with additional events spreading through public parks and cultural landmarks throughout the city.
Bangkok’s Expanding Hotel Scene
Bangkok’s hotel landscape has expanded substantially for 2026. Voco Bangkok Surawong opened in January: 19,000 IHG One Rewards points per night or $137. Canopy by Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit opened in August: 45,000 Hilton Honors points or $170. The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit finally opened in August after years of delay, offering 474 rooms with seven food and beverage outlets, a jasmine-inspired spa, and LEED Gold certification. Nightly rates cost 12,345 ALL Accor points or $278.
United Airlines established daily one-stop service from both Los Angeles and San Francisco via Hong Kong in 2025, making it the only domestic carrier offering daily one-stop routing to Bangkok from the U.S.
Amazon and Caribbean Adventures
November represents the final month of the Amazon’s dry season, making it a last chance before seasonal rains return. Jaguars, river dolphins, colorful birds, and caiman remain reliably visible. The Global Citizen Festival Amazonia takes place November 1 in Belem, Brazil, bringing together performers Anitta, Seu Jorge, and Gaby Amarantos, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Indigenous leaders to focus attention on climate action.
Getting to Belem requires connections. Avianca operates from New York’s JFK via Bogota. LATAM routes through Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport. Ibis Styles Belem Batista Campos costs $67 per night, while Grand Mercure Belem do Para costs $474 nightly. Both participate in Accor Live Limitless.
St. Barts, though associated with exclusivity, proves surprisingly accessible in November. The Caribbean island experiences warm weather, minimal crowds compared to December through February, and hotel and flight pricing reflecting shoulder season status. The Saint-Barth Gourmet Festival runs November 9-15, featuring chefs Amaury Bouhours of Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse and Thibault Sombardier of Les Parisiens, both from Michelin-starred establishments.
Cape Air operates twice-daily service from St. Thomas, which connects through major U.S. hubs.
North America: Desert and Urban Destinations
Palm Springs: Perfect Desert Weather
Palm Springs offers desert conditions without the crowds defining peak season (January through March). Daytime highs reach 79 degrees Fahrenheit with nighttime lows at 52 degrees, conditions that support hiking Joshua Tree National Park.
The Palm Springs Pride Festival runs November 6-8, featuring live music, comedy, vendors, and artists throughout downtown, with the parade occupying the final day. The Sunset Music and Comedy Festival runs concurrently each evening at Agua Caliente Casino.
Recent upgrades include the Palm Springs Air Museum, which completed a $2.5 million renovation and reopened in September with a turbine-inspired facade and the Ronald M. Auen Learning Center. DSRT Surf, a manmade lagoon that generates consistent waves, opened this summer in Palm Desert.
The La Quinta Resort & Club marks 2026 as its centennial year, celebrating with special events and guest experiences throughout. Now part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, nightly rates cost 85,000 Hilton Honors points or $329.
Las Vegas Grand Prix and Entertainment
Las Vegas hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix from November 19-21. Beyond racing, November provides hotel and flight availability at rates better than December peaks. The Sphere continues daily 4D showings of “The Wizard of Oz” alongside performances from Metallica (November 4-7) and the Eagles (November 13-14 and 27-28).
Christmas celebrations begin early. The 3-acre Cactus Garden at Ethel M Chocolate Factory opens its lights show November 5. Bellagio Conservatory transforms into a winter wonderland November 14. The Corner Store, a Manhattan hotspot favored by Taylor Swift, opens its second location at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on November 9.
United Airlines restored nonstop Cleveland-to-Las Vegas service in September with five weekly flights. Budget carrier Breeze Airways added daily service from John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
Caribbean Islands and European Transitions
Dominican Republic’s All-Inclusive Coast
The Dominican Republic’s northeast coast, particularly Miches, represents strong value in November. Hurricane season’s tail end carries minimal risk while maintaining warm weather and availability. The region has been expanding high-end all-inclusive properties and typically draws smaller crowds than Punta Cana.
Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort marks Hilton’s first Curio Collection all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic, accepting Hilton Honors redemptions. Hyatt operates two properties: Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa welcomes families with beaches, pools, and multiple dining venues, while Secrets Playa Esmeralda operates as adults-only. Arranging hotel transportation from Punta Cana International Airport streamlines arrival logistics after long flights.
Australia’s Spring and Florence’s Autumn
Western Australia experiences spring in November, displaying wildflower blooms alongside established festivals. The Pair’d Margaret River Region food and wine festival (November 19-22) attracts international attention, featuring chefs Rodney Scott and Matt Abe, pastry chef Mindy Woods, and wine writer Erin Larkin.
Hyde Perth opened in March 2026, marking Australia’s first location for the Ennismore brand, which operates Hoxton, Mama Shelter, Delano, and 25Hours properties globally, with additional Hyde locations in London, Ibiza, Dubai, and Miami. Nightly rates start at $239.
Florence sheds its summer reputation for overcrowding when November arrives. Crowds thin substantially. Mild weather makes walking the city’s neighborhoods genuinely pleasant, though rain becomes probable. November aligns with truffle-hunting season in Tuscany, offering food-focused travelers peak availability of this prized regional ingredient.
The Festival dei Popoli, Europe’s oldest international documentary film festival, runs October 31-November 8. The Estra Firenze Marathon takes place November 29, drawing runners from around the world. Christmas markets open across the city during the final week of November.
Borgo Pignano Florence occupies a 5-acre estate comprising 11 historic buildings and 32 rooms within Relais & Chateaux. La Réserve Firenze opened October 15 inside a restored 15th-century palazzo. W Florence, opened last year, charges 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or $507 per night.
Source: The Points Guy Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is November considered a good travel month?
November offers shoulder season pricing while avoiding peak season crowds. Weather is ideal in most destinations: the Atlas Mountains have pleasant hiking temperatures, Thailand begins its dry season, and the Caribbean has minimal hurricane risk. Several major festivals occur during the month, including Dia de los Muertos in Oaxaca (October 31-November 2) and Loy Krathong in Thailand (November 24).
Which destinations have new direct flights from the U.S. to November locations?
United restored nonstop Cleveland-to-Las Vegas service in September 2026 with five weekly flights. United operates daily flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Bangkok via Hong Kong and launched daily service from Houston to Puerto Escondido in 2025. United also flies directly from Newark to Marrakech (launched 2024). American Airlines added daily Dallas-Fort Worth to Puerto Escondido service in December 2025, and Breeze Airways added daily flights from Orange County to Las Vegas in 2026.
What are the best point redemption rates at November destinations?
Rates vary significantly by property and program. Morocco offers Park Hyatt Marrakech at 25,000 World of Hyatt points and Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot at 140,000 Virgin Red points. Thailand includes Voco Bangkok at 19,000 IHG One Rewards, Canopy by Hilton Bangkok at 45,000 Hilton Honors, and Fairmont Bangkok at 12,345 ALL Accor points. Mexico's La Valise Mazunte costs 130,000 Hilton Honors. Palm Springs' La Quinta costs 85,000 Hilton Honors, and Florence's W hotel charges 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
