Things to Do in Southeast Asia in November

November Weather in Southeast Asia

32°C (90°F) High Temp

24°C (75°F) Low Temp

180mm (7.1 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Post-monsoon waterfalls are at peak flow - Sekumpul in Bali and Erawan in Thailand are spectacular with 3x normal water volume
Rice terraces glow emerald green after harvest season - Jatiluwih and Sapa terraces are Instagram-perfect without the June-August crowds
Hotel rates drop 40-60% compared to December peak season, with luxury resorts in Phuket averaging ฿3,500-5,500 vs ฿8,000+ in high season
Festival season begins with Loy Krathong in Thailand (Nov 15, 2025) and Bon Om Touk water festival in Cambodia, offering authentic cultural experiences before tourist hordes arrive

Considerations

Afternoon thunderstorms strike 60% of days between 2-4pm, lasting 45-90 minutes with intense downpours of 20-30mm (0.8-1.2 inches) per hour
Humidity spikes to 85-90% after rain, making 32°C (90°F) feel like 38°C (100°F) - your clothes will stick to your skin
Some island connections in Philippines and Indonesia face choppy seas with 1.5-2m (5-6.5 ft) swells, causing ferry cancellations 2-3 days per week

Best Activities in November

Mekong Delta Floating Market Tours

November marks peak fruit harvest season with dragon fruit, rambutan, and pomelo flooding the floating markets. Water levels are perfect after monsoon - high enough for easy boat navigation but stable. Morning tours (5:30-10am) completely avoid afternoon storms while catching markets at their most active. Temperatures are cool enough at dawn (24°C/75°F) for comfortable 3-4 hour boat rides.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead as November weather is perfect for this activity. Tours typically cost ฿1,800-2,800 and include hotel pickup. Choose operators with covered boats for sudden showers. See current tours in the booking section below.

Northern Thailand Hill Tribe Trekking

Post-monsoon conditions create ideal trekking weather - trails are lush but not muddy, temperatures peak at comfortable 28°C (82°F) at 800m (2,625 ft) elevation. Clear post-rain air offers stunning mountain views extending 50km+ (31+ miles). Local hill tribes harvest rice in November, offering authentic cultural interactions during working season rather than tourist-focused encounters.

Booking Tip: Multi-day treks should be booked 2-3 weeks ahead for November. Expect ฿2,500-4,500 per day including meals and accommodation. Look for guides certified by Tourism Authority. Current trek options available in booking section below.

Angkor Complex Temple Exploration

November offers the sweet spot for Angkor - moats are full from recent rains creating perfect reflections, but ground conditions are dry enough for comfortable walking. Sunrise temperature starts at pleasant 24°C (75°F), reaching only 30°C (86°F) by midday. The famous tree roots at Ta Prohm are vibrant green, and fewer crowds mean unobstructed photos at iconic Angkor Wat.

Booking Tip: Purchase temple passes online to skip lines. Private guides cost $25-40/day, shared tours ฿1,200-2,000. Book tuk-tuk drivers for multiple days at ฾800-1,200 daily. Beat afternoon storms by starting at 5am for sunrise. Check current tour availability in booking section below.

Raja Ampat Diving Expeditions

November kicks off Raja Ampat's prime diving season with 25-30m (82-98 ft) visibility and calm seas. Manta ray cleaning stations are most active during this transition period, with 80% sighting success rate at Cape Kri. Water temperature holds steady at 28°C (82°F) - perfect for 3mm wetsuits. Post-monsoon plankton blooms attract massive schools of barracuda and jacks.

Booking Tip: Liveaboard trips book 3-4 months ahead for November departures, typically $200-350/day including meals. Day trips from Sorong cost ฿4,500-7,500. Ensure operators provide Nitrox certification. See current diving packages in booking section below.

Luang Prabang Sunrise Alms Ceremony

November's cool 22°C (72°F) dawn temperatures make the 5:30am alms ceremony comfortable to witness respectfully. Post-monsoon air clarity creates ethereal mist rising from the Mekong River as 300+ monks collect offerings. Tourist crowds are minimal compared to December-January peak, allowing for authentic cultural observation without disrupting this sacred daily ritual.

Booking Tip: No booking required but buy alms offerings from local vendors only (₭20,000-30,000). Stay 3m (10 ft) away from monks and never use flash photography. Follow up with morning market visits until afternoon storms begin. Current cultural tours available in booking section below.

Yogyakarta Batik Workshop Experiences

November's indoor cultural activities perfectly complement afternoon storm patterns. Traditional batik workshops offer 4-6 hour experiences during peak rain hours (1-5pm), learning authentic wax-resist techniques in climate-controlled studios. Local artisans are less busy than December tourist season, providing more personalized instruction. Completed pieces dry properly in November's moderate humidity.

Booking Tip: Workshop sessions cost ฿800-1,500 including materials and typically last half-day. Book through cultural centers rather than hotel tours for authentic experiences. Many include silver jewelry workshops as complementary indoor activities. Current workshop availability in booking section below.

November Events & Festivals

November 15, 2025

Loy Krathong Festival Thailand

Thailand's most photogenic festival where millions of candlelit banana leaf boats float on rivers and lakes. Chiang Mai's version includes thousands of paper lanterns released into the night sky. Best experienced in smaller towns like Sukhothai for authentic atmosphere without overwhelming crowds.

Mid November

Bon Om Touk Water Festival Cambodia

Cambodia's biggest celebration marking the reversal of Tonle Sap River flow. Dragon boat races in Phnom Penh draw teams from across Southeast Asia, while evening illuminated boat parades create spectacular photo opportunities along the Mekong riverfront.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Quick-dry synthetic shirts and shorts - cotton stays wet for hours in 70% humidity after rain stops

Packable rain jacket under 200g (7oz) - afternoon storms bring 20-30mm (0.8-1.2 inches) per hour downpours

Waterproof phone case rated IPX8 - sudden storms catch tourists off-guard and destroy electronics

Reef-safe mineral sunscreen SPF 50+ - UV index hits 8 even on cloudy days, burns happen in 15 minutes

Insect repellent with 20-30% DEET - post-monsoon standing water increases mosquito activity 300%

Waterproof hiking boots for temple visits - wet marble steps become dangerously slippery

Microfiber travel towel - hotel towels never fully dry in November humidity

Portable fan or cooling towel - humidity makes 32°C (90°F) feel like 38°C (100°F)

Dry bags in 5L and 15L sizes - protect cameras, documents, and clean clothes during boat trips

Antacid tablets - rich local foods combined with heat stress commonly cause stomach upset for newcomers

Insider Knowledge

Book domestic flights for 6-8am departures - afternoon thunderstorms cause 30% of 2-5pm flights to be delayed or cancelled

Carry small denomination notes (฿20-50) in waterproof wallet - street vendors can't break ฿500-1000 notes and ATMs often dispense only large bills during festival season

Download offline maps before arriving - November storms knock out cell towers regularly, leaving tourists stranded without navigation

Eat at local markets before 11am and after 6pm - food safety drops significantly when vendors keep dishes warm through hot afternoon hours in November heat

Avoid These Mistakes

Planning outdoor activities between 2-4pm when 60% of thunderstorms occur - schedule temple visits and walking tours for early morning instead

Wearing white or light colors to cultural sites - November mud and rain make light clothing impractical and inappropriate for temple visits

Booking accommodation without checking flood-prone areas - some Bangkok districts and rural areas experience flooding 3-4 days after heavy November rains