Other places in Mexico for November. I can imagine you loving Todos Santos or Mérida.

BEACH:
Todos Santos (fly to Cabo - 1.5 hours from LA)
Tulum (2 hours from Cancun)
Playa del Carmen (trying to be the next PV)
Puerto Morelos (1 hour to Cancun)

COLONIAL CITIES (no beach, most require change of plane, but great culture and food):
Mérida
San Miguel de Allende
Oaxaca
Valladolid
San Cristobal de las Casas

Or, Antigua or Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. And there's always Costa Rica. Not nearly as close as Mexico though.

We're about to go to the Azores, gorgeous Portuguese volcanic islands with geothermal activity, which are 4.5 hours from Boston (but not that close to Seattle). Supposedly unspoiled, for now.

If you're considering inland cities, I left out Guanajuato! I could easily spend three weeks there. And there's also Tepotzlan.

Second the Red Cabbage owned by Lola Bravo long time manger of Chez Elena at the Los Cuatro Vientos.
Repollo Roja (The Red Cabbage) has won many awards, great Mole & the best Carnitias outside of it's home of Guerrero.
I've known Lola for over 30 years finding her not only a great Restaurateur but a most special Human Being!

crosscheck, don't forget Mexico City, the very best of all! (If you like big cities, of course.)

<<we decided that PV in November isn't of us. Temps in the 90s and equal humidity is not my idea of a tropical vacation!>>

That's unfortunate (that you aren't going after all).

I go to PV every November (b-day month) and it's not in the 90s or with 90% humidity, so call me surprised to find that out!!!

Interesting, Suze. I got that data from both a weather site and from friends. What is your experience?

I only know what I know from being there :-)

Sorry I don't know the actual temperature because I am not online in PV and they don't post the temps around town (like in the newspaper or a sign on the bank or whatever - i asked about this years ago from locals, and they just laughed - they said they can tell what the weather is by looking out their window!)

For me November is gorgeous weather - clear, breezy, warm/hot, very similar to the May trip I just returned from. Not too crowded as it is not high season yet. But it is typically somewhat humid there so maybe would be too much for you, that's hard to say what is tolerable for someone else. But personally I love it. Plus it's vacation, not like I am dressing for work, driving a car, etc. Whether it's 82 or 92 when I'm sitting under a palapa or in the pool, doesn't really matter.

The only months I personally would avoid are summer-time (July thru Sept) now THAT is rainy season and hot hot HOT.

Suze, where did you stay this time/ Did you like it as much as the other places you stayed?

November is amazing weather, one of my faves.

For other places in Mexico, try Huatulco. It is the cleanest place Ive ever been to in Mexico. TAxis are very cheap and the bays are beautiful. It is also waaaaaay less Americanized than PV, Cancun, Cabo. You would love it I'm sure. I would go more if it wasn't so expensive to get there from where I live. Also, people should go now before it gets too touristy.

<crosscheck, don't forget Mexico City, the very best of all! (If you like big cities, of course.)>

Sí !!! My old stomping grounds (used to live in Cuernavaca), but I didn't put it on the list because I haven't been there in many years. However, I'm anxious to return because friends say it is a superb world class destination now. Another place I omitted is Ajijic near Guadalajara, which is full of expats like San Miguel, but is more compact and has an excellent year round climate.

<I go to PV every November (b-day month) and it's not in the 90s or with 90% humidity, so call me surprised to find that out!!!>

I just checked weather.com and last November had daily highs in the high 80s, lows in the mid 70s, with only four days above 90. In comparison, December, when I can attest that the climate is ideal, has highs in the mid 80s and cools off to the 60s at night. Guess it depends on the humidity. Pacific Mexico in July is truly hell on earth, but I've never heard that about November.

<I've known Lola for over 30 years finding her not only a great Restaurateur but a most special Human Being!>

We have met her and I concur. Food is simply awesome. One of my favorite Mexican restaurants on the planet (and I'm picky).

Thanks to everyone for your comments. One person's too hot is another's perfect weather. This year we need to go early in November, but sometimes we can go later. I'm guessing that would make a difference.

maried11~ I stayed at Selva Romantica again, for the third time, rented the same studio apartment.

Kathie~ No I don't really think early November to late November changes too much difference weather-wise. If you are wanting "cooler" in PV I would go in January/February.

That is the place I really want to stay, but I am saving it for when I don't have the kids. I've been told the owners really don't like to have kids in the pool, etc. So, that will be me and a hubby trip.

<<I've been told the owners really don't like to have kids in the pool>>

Well I never heard that. But from my point of view I just don't think it's a property kids would really enjoy staying or would be appropriate for them.

<<Pacific Mexico in July is truly hell on earth, but I've never heard that about November.>>

Well then I will be going to hell in early July. ; )

How are the beaches and ocean compared to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun? We have also heard many things about PV, and were thinking about checking it out. Any hotel recommendations?

No different ocean different beaches, this is not the Caribbean.

Nothing like the Caribbean side. Puerto Vallarta sits within the Bay of Banderas on the Pacific Ocean.

What kind of hotel? What part of town? Fancy? Cheap? Resort? B&B? I'm happy to help but there are hundreds of them.
:-)

Having stayed in PV Every month November through May I never found it uncomfortable in spite of staying at a hotel with no A/C.

<How are the beaches and ocean compared to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun?>

PV is a Pacific beach - very different from like baby powder sand/turquoise water on the Caribbean side. PV's ocean is a blue green to blue grey and the sand is more golden. The mountains, coves and jungle surrounding the city are stunningly picturesque, but the beach is neither pristine nor idyllic (sometimes insanely crowded) and the ocean is often rough, rocky or somewhat murky w/ sting rays.

I love beach combing and boating in the area and the culture away from the tourist area (this is a real Mexican city), but I wouldn't go to PV primarily for ocean swimming.

Better swimming can be found north of town in Bucerias or further north in the Punta del Burro area south of Punta Mita, as well as parts of the charming surf town of Sayulita. But if you're going just for the beaches, nothing in this area compares to the pristine beaches of Playa del Carmen and the area south of Cancun.

Can't help you with PV hotels, because we always stay in villas. Highly recommend renting a place in the lower Conchas Chinas area - very walkable.

Thanks for the info. We haven't decided which hotel or side yet. Do you have any recommendations for things to do in PV?

crosscheck:
You said you stay at villas. Is that a better option for a family of 4?