Top 10 best places to visit in November
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Instead of cold wind and snow in November, you could be relaxing on a white sand beach beneath a palm tree looking out at sunset over the azure sea on a Caribbean cruise. Or wandering a colorful Asian city with sky scrapers on all sides. November is actually a great month to plan a cruise and to see the world with fewer crowds and cooler weather. Plus you can get away from the chilly November weather at home!
To help you get started planning your perfect Princess cruise in November, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best places to visit in November. From the warm, sandy beaches of the Bahamas to cosmopolitan and summer-kissed Sydney, you’ll find the perfect destination for your November cruise.
Why choose a cruise?
Sailing with Princess Cruises® is an easy way to explore the world in comfort and style. Unpack once and wake up in a new destination each day — all while enjoying world-class dining, entertainment and personalized service. Cruising is convenient because we handle all the logistics and take you to the best sites, and it’s cost effective — your hotel, food and transportation are all in one. With voyages to over 330 destinations across more than 100 countries on all 7 continents, Princess brings the world closer to you.
Another reason to choose a cruise in November is that a Princess ship is the perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving. We’ll bring the turkey and trimmings, and all you have to do is show up and feast. Worried about missing the big game? Don’t be! We’ll use the Movies Under the Stars® outdoor big screen and let you enjoy the Thanksgiving game under the stars on deck.
Top 10 best November destinations
Ready for sunshine, beaches, city streets and culture? These are 10 of the best November destinations to help you start planning your perfect vacation.
1. Princess Cays®, Bahamas
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 82° / 75°
Picture this: relaxing on a pillowy soft beach with a pina colada in hand next to turquoise ocean waves. November is a great time to take a Caribbean vacation and see these sun-kissed islands when they’re slightly cooler and less crowded. Not that crowds are a problem when you book a cruise to Princess Cays®, an exclusive island resort for Princess passengers only. You get the best of a Bahamas vacation with privacy and relaxation.
Princess Cays® isn’t just for beach days (though you’ll have plenty of those). If you’re looking for an adventure, see the underwater paradise on a clear kayak tour, swim with stingrays at a private beach and spend the day surf fishing for Nassau grouper.
2. Singapore
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 87° / 75°
Singapore is both a city and a country with a kaleidoscope of dazzling cityscapes where even the airport is a tourist destination. There’s no better time to visit Singapore than late fall: November in South Asia is the dry season, which means you can see the best of this country without having to worry about getting drenched. Whether you want to see the world’s first night zoo or eat your weight in street food, you’ll find sun-soaked adventures when you visit Singapore with Princess.
You can’t visit Singapore without a trip to the iconic Gardens by the Bay: one of the most recognizable sites in the city. It’s also home to 250,000 rare plants, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and a 115-foot indoor mountain. Plant lovers won’t want to miss the National Orchid Garden that houses the world’s largest collection of orchids or the rest of the Singapore Botanic Gardens where you can see a real Singapore rainforest.
See the cultural side of Singapore on a Chinatown tour where you’ll visit Sri Mariamman Temple — the oldest Hindu temple in the city — and the stunning Thian Hock Keng temple — the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore.
3. Sydney, Australia
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 73° / 59°
When your weather at home is dark and dreary, head down under where the summer season is just kicking off! In Sydney, you’ll be surrounded by a shimmering skyline and one of the most beautiful harbors in the world — plus the iconic opera house, of course. It’s Australia’s largest and oldest city, and it has a unique blend of natural beauty and cosmopolitan magic.
Hit all the highlights of the city — Australian Museum, Sydney Sea Life Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, Chinatown, Surry Hills and the lush Royal Botanical Gardens — with ease on the hop-on, hop-off bus. Get a taste of adventure by leaving the city to the Blue Mountains where Grand Canyon-like rock formations tower above you. You’ll also visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, Tasmanian Devils and wombats.
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 84° / 71°
On the lush green island of Oahu, you’ll find Hawaii’s only major city and its capital: Honolulu. When you visit Honolulu with Princess, you can enjoy a tropical paradise, see the last residence of Hawaii’s royal family and visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. There’s a little something for everyone in Hawaii.
Let Princess show you the best of the North Shore with an emerald green rainforest, Ko'oalu Mountains and Sunset Beach — where the water is crystal clear and the sand so white it nearly sparkles in the sun. Or step into history with a tour that takes you to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the Iolani Palace, built in 1882 for King Kalākaua and home to the last reigning monarchs of Hawaii. Immerse yourself in the island’s culture with a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can see some of the highlights of Polynesian culture, including Tongan drumming, fire making, coconut tree climbing and traditional dances of Fiji, Hawaii, Aotearoa, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga.
5. Hong Kong
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 77° / 67°
If you’re looking for a city vacation — with beaches as beautiful as those in the Caribbean — look no further than Hong Kong. Its name means “fragrant harbor,” and it’s made up of 263 islands and home to the world’s highest swimming pool, towering skyscrapers and luxury hotels. When you visit with Princess, we’ll make sure you see the best of the city from the stunning summit of Victoria Peak, Aberdeen village (aka home to the “water people” who live aboard sampans) and Stanley Market — one of the world’s greatest bazaars.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city on Lantau Island, the largest outlying island that’s part of Hong Kong. We’ll take you on a walking tour of Tai O — a traditional fishing village — and Po Lin Monastery, a hilltop Buddhist temple with beautiful views of the surrounding jungle.
6. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 84° / 66°
Nestled at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is a land of dramatic rock formations, sunny weather and stunning ocean wildlife. The rugged cliffs and natural arch formations at Land’s End provide a breathtaking backdrop before you dive into the azure sea to snorkel and see the colorful world beneath the waves. On an El Arco cruise, you’ll see where the waters of the Sea of Cortez meet the Pacific, and keep your cameras ready because pelicans, sea lions and seals frequent these waters.
If you’re feeling adventurous, sign up for a zipline adventure that’ll have you soaring 200 feet in the air above the jagged Cabo landscape. Or soak in the stunning coastal beauty of Mexico by horseback riding on the beach. You’ll have the famous Cabo cacti on one side and azure ocean on the other as surf crashes around you.
7. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 84° / 72°
Rio de Janeiro is one of South America’s most captivating cities, and the weather is perfect in November — not too hot but just enough to get a good tan. Marvel at the towering Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain (one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World) where you can also get great views of the city sprawling beneath you and the bright blue ocean along the coast.
If you haven’t gotten enough views of the “Marvelous City,” hop aboard the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain where you’ll see the famous Copacabana Beach. See the cultural side of the city at the Rio de Janeiro Cathedral. Here four rectilinear stained glass windows stretch more than 200 feet from floor to ceiling and bathe the entire cathedral in colorful, sparkling light.
8. Puerto Vallarta
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 85° / 67°
Puerto Vallarta is the perfect mix of natural coastal beauty, old-world Mexican city and mouthwatering tacos on the beach. Stroll along the romantic Malecon boardwalk and the iconic seahorse statue. Explore the cobblestone streets of Old Town to see City Hall and the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe — and don’t forget to stop for al pastor tacos on the beach when your stomach starts rumbling. Speaking of food, try a Princess cooking class where chefs will show you how to create local dishes (and each one is paired with a selection of tequilas).
Water lovers can head straight to the beach for snorkeling, paddleboarding or diving. Or you can just spend the day relaxing on the beach and soaking in some much needed November sunshine.
9. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Average January temperature (F): high/low = 85° / 66°
Enjoy a spectacular Caribbean vacation with a cruise to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Here you can discover centuries of history, breathtaking beaches and Caribbean flair all in one destination. Walk the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to see landmarks like Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Cristóbal. Outside the historic core, explore the lush Cultural and Botanical Gardens of Caguas or relax on the golden shores of Condado Beach. Or head out into the jungle to hike through El Yunque National Rainforest to find the 85-foot La Coca Falls. After soaking it all in, keep the adventure going with cruises from San Juan to even more Caribbean islands.
10. Curaçao
Average November temperature (F): high/low = 86° / 78°
The Caribbean meets the Netherlands on the island of Curaçao, a colorful island of pastel Dutch colonial buildings along the waterfront and white sand beaches dotted with palms. Discover it all on cruises to Curaçao, where you can spend the afternoon on Mambo Beach spread out on the sunkissed sand with a tropical drink in hand — or head out to sea to snorkel. Beneath the surface, the island is a diver’s dream, with vibrant coral reefs and crystal-clear waters perfect for exploring.
Above ground, visitors can explore the stunning Hato Caves where you might see bats take flight. Or head out to an aloe vera farm where you can see how the legendary aloe vera is grown on the island and take a little home.
How to plan your perfect November vacation
If you’re heading out for a November cruise, you can leave your parka at home. Instead, don’t forget your swimsuit, sunscreen and walking shoes. Here are a few more packing tips to help you get started prepping for your cruise.
Essentials for tropical destinations
If you're heading somewhere warm and sunny in November, pack light and smart. Essentials include breathable clothing like shorts, tank tops and sundresses to stay cool. Don’t forget sun protection — sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are must-haves to avoid sunburns.
You’ll also want to come prepared for beach days with swimwear, a beach cover-up and comfortable sandals. Bug spray or insect repellent can also come in handy in more humid climates, along with a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated on the go.
What to bring for cooler evenings
Even in tropical or mild-weather destinations, temperatures can dip after sunset. Be sure to bring a light jacket or sweater for layering, long pants and a pair of closed-toe shoes to stay comfortable during cooler evenings or on a breezy cruise ship deck.