Layer for warm afternoons and cold nights
November in the Mexican highlands sits at the end of the rainy season, and the pattern is reliable: clear mornings, strong sun until about four in the afternoon, then a fast drop once it sets. At 2,240 metres, Mexico City often runs 20-23°C at midday and 6-9°C before dawn, so a light merino or fleece mid-layer plus a packable windproof shell does more work than a heavy coat. Add a scarf for the evening; the colonial centre blocks wind but not cold.
Footwear matters more than most lists admit. Streets in Centro Histórico, Coyoacán and San Ángel are uneven cobbles and raised pavements, so bring broken-in walking shoes with grip rather than new trainers. A second pair of sandals is realistic for daytime in Roma and Condesa, where you will walk between cafés on flat, leafy streets. Pack one smarter layer for dinners in Polanco or a rooftop near Avenida Reforma, where dress codes are relaxed but evening air is genuinely cold.
Sun, altitude and the small kit that saves the day
The highlands sit close to the equator at altitude, so UV is stronger than the temperature suggests. Bring high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses and a brimmed hat; November afternoons can burn you on a terrace in Plaza Garibaldi without any feeling of heat. Altitude is the other practical factor. Pack a refillable bottle and drink more than usual, and keep the first day in Mexico City light: a walk around the Zócalo and Alameda Central, not a climb up the Torre Latinoamericana on arrival.
A compact day bag covers most excursions. Include a power bank, since navigation and translation apps drain phones quickly, and a universal adaptor for Mexico's 127V Type A and B sockets. Cash is useful for markets such as La Merced and Sunday's Bazar del Sábado in San Ángel, where small vendors may not take cards. A light rain shell is worth the space even in the dry month, because November can still deliver one sharp afternoon shower, especially toward the month's end.
Plan side trips around what November does well
From Mexico City, two day trips reward a November visit. Puebla is roughly two hours by car or about two hours fifteen by bus from TAPO terminal, and its elevation keeps afternoons mild; the barrio of Analco and the Zócalo are comfortable to walk in the sun. Taxco, in Guerrero, is around two and a half hours by road and warmer at lower altitude, so pack the same layers but expect lighter evenings. Both suit a day pack with sun protection and a warm top for the return.
If you go further, San Miguel de Allende is about three hours fifteen by car and cooler at night; Guanajuato, roughly four hours, sits in a bowl and cools sharply after dark. November is a good month for these because rains have largely ended and crowds are lighter than December. Book accommodation in Mexico City first, close to a Metro or Metrobús line in Roma, Condesa or the Centro, then arrange side trips around it rather than moving hotels repeatedly.
What to skip, and how to book
Skip the heavy winter coat, thick boots and formal evening wear; you will carry them and rarely use them. Skip jeans if you plan long walking days, and skip a large suitcase if you are using the Metro, where stairs at stations such as Insurgentes and Hidalgo are steep. A cabin bag plus a day pack is realistic for a week. Also skip over-scheduling the first 24 hours at altitude; build in a slow morning and a local breakfast rather than a full-day tour.
Book your hotel in Mexico City, where most searches on this site currently point, and favour a property within walking distance of a park or a main avenue rather than a room on a narrow side street, which can be noisy at night. Late November is busy with domestic travel, so reserve a fortnight or more ahead. Confirm heating in the room description; highland hotels are often cool, and a simple heater or extra blanket makes the difference.