Mexico, North America
Oaxaca in November
Dia de Muertos peaks October 31 to November 2. After that, the city settles into crisp, sunny, uncrowded days.
The straight answer
November is one of the best months of the year to visit Oaxaca. Dia de Muertos peaks October 31 to November 2. After that, the city settles into crisp, sunny, uncrowded days.
- Weather
- Dry and sunny, highs near 78F (26C), cool nights
- Crowds
- 4 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What November is like in Oaxaca
November opens with Dia de Muertos, which peaks from October 31 to November 2, with candlelit cemetery vigils, altars, and parades. After that, the city settles into dry, sunny days with highs near 78F (26C) and cool nights. Crowds and prices drop after the first week.
This is one of the best months to come. The first few days suit travelers who booked months ahead, while the rest of the month is ideal for anyone who wants perfect weather and a calm city. It works for families, couples, and first-timers alike.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Oaxaca this month.
Dia de Muertos peak
From October 31 to November 2, cemeteries glow with candles and families gather at their altars. Visit respectfully, ideally with a local guide.
Crisp, dry weeks after
Once the holiday ends, the city is sunny and calm, and ruins and markets are easy to enjoy.
Hierve el Agua
The mineral springs and petrified waterfalls are best on a clear, dry day. Confirm access before going.
What to pack for November
- A warm layer for night cemetery visits
- A hat and sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A small flashlight
Our timing tip
If you cannot get Dia de Muertos rooms, come the second week of November for the same weather with fewer people.
Book Oaxaca for November.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in OaxacaOpens a hotel search for Oaxaca in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in OaxacaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in OaxacaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Oaxaca for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in November
Things to do in Oaxaca
Monte Alban
The Zapotec capital on a leveled mountaintop above the city. Go when it opens to beat the heat and the tour buses; bring a hat, there is little shade.
Templo de Santo Domingo and the Museo de las Culturas
The gilded church interior is one of Mexico's baroque masterpieces; the former convent next door holds the treasures of Tomb 7 from Monte Alban.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juarez market
The smoke-filled grill aisle for tasajo and chorizo, then chocolate, mole pastes, and chapulines next door. Go at lunch.
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
A small, excellent museum of regional and international textiles in the Centro. Free and often overlooked.
Hierve el Agua
Mineral springs and petrified waterfalls about 90 minutes away. Access has occasionally been closed by local disputes, so confirm before you go.
Mitla and the Tule tree
Combine the stone fretwork of Mitla with the massive ahuehuete tree in Santa Maria del Tule, one of the widest trees in the world.
Beat the crowds
- For Dia de Muertos, book hotels four to six months ahead, and consider arriving a week early to see altar building and markets before the peak crowds arrive.
- January and February are the empty, sunny months. You get the same food and markets at half the Dia de Muertos price.
- Go to Monte Alban at opening time and save the markets for the afternoon, when the ruins are hot and busy.
- For the Guelaguetza, free community versions and parades happen around the city even if the main auditorium tickets are gone.
Know before you go
- Many museums close on Mondays, which catches visitors out. Check hours for any museum you plan around.
- Christmas through January 6 and Semana Santa are Mexican holiday periods: sights are open but crowded, and some small businesses shut for a few days.
- Access to Hierve el Agua and some villages is occasionally closed by local community disputes or blockades. Ask your hotel before heading out.
- Teacher and labor protests sometimes block streets in the Centro or roads to the airport, especially in late spring. Leave extra time and follow local news.
Oaxaca in November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Oaxaca?
November is one of the best months of the year to visit Oaxaca. Dia de Muertos peaks October 31 to November 2. After that, the city settles into crisp, sunny, uncrowded days.
What is the weather like in Oaxaca in November?
Dry and sunny, highs near 78F (26C), cool nights.
Is Oaxaca crowded in November?
Oaxaca is busy in November, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in Oaxaca in November?
Dia de Muertos (late october through november 2, peaking october 31 to november 2).
Keep planning Oaxaca.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
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