United States (Puerto Rico), Central America & Caribbean

Puerto Rico in November

Storm season winds down but showers are frequent. Surf season starts in Rincon; Thanksgiving week spikes prices from the mainland.

Quiet valueWarm, highs near 86F (30C), often San Juan's rainiest month

Aerial view of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico — Puerto RicoPhoto: Coolcaesar, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Puerto Rico. Storm season winds down but showers are frequent. Surf season starts in Rincon; Thanksgiving week spikes prices from the mainland.

Weather: Warm, highs near 86F (30C), often San Juan's rainiest month
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What November is like in Puerto Rico

November is warm, with highs near 86F (30C), and often San Juan's rainiest month. Storm season winds down, but showers are frequent. Surf season starts in Rincon, and the Christmas season begins with parrandas late in the month. Thanksgiving week spikes prices with visitors from the mainland.

It suits surfers, couples and budget travelers who travel outside Thanksgiving week. Families can enjoy the start of the long holiday season. Bring a rain layer and plan beach time around the showers. For drier weather, wait until December or come in February.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Puerto Rico this month.

Surf season begins

Swells start rolling into Rincon, drawing surfers back to the west coast.

Parranda season starts

Late in the month, musical house-to-house caroling, lechon and coquito kick off one of the longest Christmas seasons anywhere.

Shoulder-season prices

Outside Thanksgiving week, rates are still fair.

What to pack for November

A light rain jacket
Swimwear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes

Our timing tip

Avoid Thanksgiving week if you want lower prices, and book early November for the best value.

Book Puerto Rico for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Puerto Rico
Opens a hotel search for Puerto Rico in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Puerto Rico
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Puerto Rico
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Puerto Rico for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Christmas and parranda season

Late November through mid January

Among the longest Christmas seasons anywhere, with parrandas (musical house-to-house caroling), lechon, and coquito.

Things to do in Puerto Rico

Full guide

Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal

The two great forts of San Juan National Historic Site. Go at opening before the cruise-ship wave, then fly a kite on El Morro's lawn like the locals do.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

El Yunque National Forest

Waterfalls, cloud forest, and the tower views from Yokahu and Mt. Britton. Check the forest's site for current access rules and reservations before you go, and start early to beat both crowds and afternoon rain.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mosquito Bay, Vieques

Paddle a kayak through glowing water on a moonless night. Swimming is prohibited to protect the organisms; schedule around the new moon for the best show.

Tickets and tours →

Flamenco Beach, Culebra

A horseshoe of white sand regularly ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean. Ferries from Ceiba fill fast on weekends and holidays; small planes are the backup.

Tickets and tours →

Old San Juan on foot

Calle del Cristo, the Paseo de la Princesa, and the city walls at sunset. Weekday evenings after the cruise ships leave are the calmest.

Tickets and tours →

Rincon and the west coast

The island's surf capital, busy with swells roughly November through March and glassy for snorkeling in summer. Sunsets here face the open sea.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the cruise schedule for San Juan: Old San Juan is noticeably busier on multi-ship days, so do the forts and Calle del Cristo on light days or after 4pm.
Aim for the post-Easter window in late April and early May, when winter weather mostly holds and hotel rates fall.
Do El Yunque at opening on a weekday. By late morning the main trail parking fills, and afternoon showers are common.
Book Vieques and Culebra ferries or flights well ahead for weekends and holidays, when locals fill the boats too; midweek is far easier.

Know before you go

September and October: some smaller hotels, restaurants, and tour operators close for a few weeks of maintenance or vacation, especially on Vieques and Culebra. Verify before building a trip around one.
The bioluminescent bays are best on moonless nights and can dim temporarily after heavy rain or storms. Tour operators will tell you honestly how the bay is glowing that week.
El Yunque's roads and trails can close after heavy rain or storm damage; check current conditions and any reservation requirement on the official forest site before driving out.
Major holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Three Kings Day, Good Friday) shut government offices and many shops; restaurants in tourist areas mostly stay open.

Puerto Rico in November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Puerto Rico?

November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Puerto Rico. Storm season winds down but showers are frequent. Surf season starts in Rincon; Thanksgiving week spikes prices from the mainland.

What is the weather like in Puerto Rico in November?

Warm, highs near 86F (30C), often San Juan's rainiest month.

Is Puerto Rico crowded in November?

November is one of the quieter months in Puerto Rico; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Puerto Rico in November?

Christmas and parranda season (late november through mid january).