The Mexico Guides

Mexico in November: Día de Muertos and the Start of Dry Season

· 2 min read Practical
Teotihuacan pyramids in November dry season

Contents

  1. Día de Muertos (1–2 November)
  2. Weather in November
  3. Accommodation around Día de Muertos
  4. Prices

November is one of the best months to visit Mexico — Día de Muertos at the start of the month is one of the most moving cultural events in the Americas, and the Caribbean coast enters dry season progressively through the month. Prices are still below peak.

Día de Muertos (1–2 November)

The Day of the Dead is not a Mexican Halloween. It’s a pre-Columbian celebration of the deceased, merged with Catholic All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Families build elaborate home altars (ofrendas) with photos, favourite foods, and marigolds for deceased relatives. Cemetery vigils on the night of 1–2 November — particularly in Oaxaca’s cemeteries and the island of Janitzio (Lake Pátzcuaro) — are deeply atmospheric.

Oaxaca: The celebrations here are among the most extensive. Cemetery vigils at Xoxocotlán cemetery attract visitors; neighbourhood celebrations are also notable.

Pátzcuaro / Janitzio island: The candle-lit boat processions to the island cemetery and the vigils through the night are among the most photographed and moving events in the country.

Mexico City: The Zócalo hosts massive day of the dead installations and events, particularly after the James Bond film (Spectre) featured a fictionalised parade. The city now also runs an actual Día de Muertos parade — something that didn’t exist before the film.

San Andrés Mixquic (near Mexico City): A smaller, more traditional celebration in a village 40 km from CDMX; the cemetery vigils are more intimate.

Weather in November

Dry season is beginning or established across most of Mexico.

Caribbean coast: Early November still has some rain, but the pace slows quickly. By mid-to-late November, conditions are excellent. Sargassum seaweed recedes in most years.

Mexico City: The rains have ended. Highs of 20–24°C, cool evenings. Excellent for city exploration.

Oaxaca: Very pleasant (22–26°C), dry. One of the best months.

Pacific coast: Dry season arriving. Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, and Los Cabos transition to dry, sunny conditions.

Accommodation around Día de Muertos

Oaxaca and Pátzcuaro require bookings 3–6 months in advance for 30 October–3 November. Mexico City requires earlier bookings than the rest of the year but is not as constrained as Oaxaca.

Prices

November is a shoulder month on the Caribbean coast (high season in December). Prices are notably lower in early November than post-Thanksgiving. One of the best value periods.