Things to Do in Mexico City in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
November Weather in Mexico City
Long-run averages for November in Mexico City
73°F (22°C)
High Temp
49°F (9°C)
Low Temp
0.7 inches (18 mm)
Rainfall
54%
Humidity
2
Rainy Days
9
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ High UV index: The sun's intensity at this altitude is extreme. Sunburn can occur in under 30 minutes, even on cool days. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are mandatory.
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + November delivers Mexico City's cleanest air of the year. The rainy season has scrubbed the sky free of pollution. Dry, cool conditions mean Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl appear in sharp, snow-capped detail from the Centro Histórico each morning. Visibility peaks now.
- + Daytime temperatures hit a sweet spot at 2,250 meters (7,380 ft). Warm enough for ice cream in the Zócalo. Cool enough that walking 3 km (1.9 miles) from the Museo Nacional de Antropología to Chapultepec Castle won't leave you drenched in sweat. Perfect.
- + You are catching the tail end of Día de Muertos. Marigold altars linger in shop windows. Copal incense still hangs in the air. The massive October crowds have thinned. Lines shrink at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The energy remains. The chaos does not.
- + November brings one of the year's best food shifts. Street vendors roll out ponche, a hot fruit punch with tejocotes and guava. Panaderías stock pan de muerto for another week or two. Then comes rosca de reyes, the sweet, eggy bread that signals Christmas. Eat both.
Considerations
- − First-timers underestimate the temperature swing. That 73°F (22°C) afternoon drops to 49°F (9°C) after dark. Rooftop bars in Roma demand layers. The illuminated Alameda Central will chill you in a t-shirt. Pack accordingly.
- − November packs the convention calendar. Hotels in Polanco and Reforma fill fast. Rates climb above September's slower weeks. International summits drive prices higher. Check your dates. Book early.
- − The rainy season has ended. Mostly. One or two intense afternoon downpours still hit each month. Streets in Condesa flood for an hour. Your jacket sits back at the hotel. You get soaked. Bring it anyway.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Teotihuacán Pyramid Tours
November may be Teotihuacán's finest month. Summer rains have greened the valley. The Pyramid of the Sun rises against lush fields. The 248-step climb feels manageable in cool, dry air. Morning mist burns off by 10am. Crowds arrive later. The light is perfect. Summer's punishing heat is gone.
Booking Tip: Book a sunrise tour or private guide for earliest entry. The site opens at 9am. Licensed operators often arrange earlier access. Skip the mid-morning bus crowds. Check the booking widget below for verified operators.
Hot Air Balloon Flights over the Valley of Mexico
November's stable, cool mornings create ideal ballooning conditions. Flights launch at dawn near Teotihuacán. You float silently above the pyramids. First sunlight hits the Pyramid of the Moon. Propane heat warms your face. Crisp air surrounds you. Visibility stretches for miles. Mexico City's skyline glimmers in the distance. Expensive. Worth it.
Booking Tip: This activity books up fast. Reserve two weeks ahead. Weekend flights go first. Verify your operator's license and insurance. Reputable tours include Mexico City transport. Check current availability below.
Xochimilco Trajinera Boat Rides
November solves Xochimilco's two worst problems: brutal summer sun and packed weekend parties. The light softens. Damp earth and flowers drift from the chinampas. You hear mariachi from other boats, not noise. Try sunrise to watch farmers tend their plots. Try late afternoon for golden light on the water. Best timing.
Booking Tip: Skip Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas on Sunday afternoons. Seek ecological or historical tours. Find quieter canals. Morning bookings work last-minute. Options are in the booking widget.
Walking Food Tours in Historic Centro or Roma
November weather suits a culinary crawl. Hours pass easily. Start at Mercado de San Juan for huitlacoche quesadillas. Move to a century-old cantina for smoky mezcal. Seasonal ingredients peak now: poblano chiles, squash, walnuts. Tortillas slap the comal in crisp air. Atole warms your hands by evening. Pace yourself.
Booking Tip: November food tours fill quickly. Book days ahead. Seek culinary historians or local chefs. They go deeper than taco tastings. Most tours run 3-4 hours. You will walk. Wear comfortable shoes. Browse current tours below.
Day Hiking in the Surrounding Mountains
November opens the trails at Desierto de los Leones and the Amecameca foothills. Summer mud has dried. Air is clear and cool. Pine forests smell sharp. The sky runs deep blue. UV index stays high. Sun protection matters even in mild temperatures. Locals hit the mountains on weekends. You will see why.
Booking Tip: Never hike alone. Book with a guided group or a licensed outdoor operator who knows the trails and can provide transport. The altitude affects everyone, so choose a tour that matches your fitness level. Proper hiking shoes are non-negotiable. Find guided hikes in the booking section.
Where to Stay in Mexico City in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
★★★★★
Luxury
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City
From $609 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Public Holidays in November
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Día de la Revolución
Known in English as Revolution Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Día de la Revolución
Known in English as Revolution Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Día de la Revolución
Known in English as Revolution Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Mexico City Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best coffee in Mexico City is often found in the morning at market stalls, not specialty shops. Head to any local mercado around 8am and look for the stand with the giant stainless steel percolator. You'll get a strong, sweet café de olla (cinnamon and piloncillo sugar coffee) for a few pesos, served in a foam cup alongside the cooks and vendors.
Sunday is the magic day for museums. Not only is the Chapultepec Park area buzzing with local families. But many major national museums, including the unmissable Museo Nacional de Antropología, offer free admission to Mexican citizens and foreign residents. This means it's crowded, but the energy is fantastic. Go early.
If you feel the altitude (headache, slight shortness of breath), skip the fancy remedies. Locals swear by chewing on a sprig of fresh parsley or drinking a glass of water with a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt. It works, somehow. Also, go easy on the alcohol for the first 24 hours.
For a non-touristy evening, look for a 'pulquería' in neighborhoods like Centro or Juárez. Pulque, a fermented agave drink, is making a huge comeback. The atmosphere is loud, scholarly, and bohemian, and the flavored pulques (curados) with oatmeal or guava taste nothing like you'd expect.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking a hotel with only a thin blanket. Many boutique hotels in Roma and Condesa, designed for style over practicality, have inadequate bedding for the cold nights. Check reviews for mentions of 'cold rooms' or ask ahead for extra blankets.
Underestimating travel time within the city. November has fewer rain-induced traffic jams than summer. But Friday evenings and holiday weekends are still gridlocked. A 5 km (3.1 mile) Uber ride can easily take 45 minutes. Use the Metro or Metrobus for long north-south routes; they're fast, safe during the day, and a true slice of local life.
Trying to do Teotihuacán and the Anthropology Museum in the same day. It's logistically possible, but you'll be exhausted and do justice to neither. The museum alone deserves a minimum of four hours. Spread them out.
Ready to plan your trip to Mexico City?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.
Explore More Activities in Mexico City
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Mexico City.
See All Mexico City Tours on Viator