Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Ubon Ratchathani
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Post-monsoon clarity makes this one of the best months for photography at Pha Taem National Park - you'll get crisp sunrise shots over the Mekong with visibility extending 30-40 km (18-25 miles) into Laos, versus the hazy conditions you'd deal with March through May
- The Mekong River runs high and full from recent rains, making boat trips along the Thai-Lao border actually scenic rather than muddy sandbar navigation - water levels are typically 4-6 m (13-20 ft) higher than the dry season lows you'd see in April
- Temperatures have dropped from the brutal monsoon heat - mornings start around 22-24°C (72-75°F), which means you can actually cycle around temples or explore Wat Nong Bua before 9am without melting into the pavement
- The countryside is genuinely green after months of rain - rice paddies are still lush, and if you're visiting early November, you might catch the tail end of harvest season when farmers are working the fields at dawn, creating those postcard scenes tourists pay good money to photograph elsewhere in Thailand
Considerations
- You're still getting those afternoon showers on about 10 days throughout the month - they're not the all-day monsoon soakers from September, but expect 20-40 minute downpours that can derail outdoor plans between 2-5pm if you're unlucky
- November sits in an awkward spot for festivals - you've just missed the end of Buddhist Lent celebrations in October, and you're too early for the December cool-season events, so the cultural calendar is relatively quiet compared to shoulder months
- The 70% humidity is still significant - it's not the oppressive 85% you'd deal with in August, but combined with that UV index of 8, midday outdoor activities feel more taxing than the temperature numbers suggest, especially if you're coming from a dry climate
Best Activities in November
Pha Taem National Park sunrise viewing
November offers the clearest atmospheric conditions of the year for watching sunrise over the Mekong River from the clifftop viewpoints. The post-monsoon air is crisp, humidity drops to 50-60% at dawn, and you'll actually see the sun emerge over the Laotian mountains rather than through a haze. The 3,000-year-old rock paintings are also easier to photograph with the softer light. Park opens at 6am, and you'll want to arrive by 5:45am to claim a spot at the main viewpoint. The drive from central Ubon takes about 90 minutes.
Mekong River boat tours along the Thai-Lao border
High water levels in November make this the ideal time for long-tail boat trips between Khong Chiam and the two-color river phenomenon where the Mekong meets the Mun River. The boats can navigate channels that are too shallow in March-May, and you'll see working fishing villages that are partially submerged during peak monsoon. The water actually shows distinct color differences in November - brown Mekong mixing with clearer Mun - versus the uniform muddy flow you'd see in other months. Tours typically run 2-3 hours.
Temple cycling circuits in cool morning hours
November mornings are finally cool enough to make cycling between Ubon's temple complexes pleasant rather than punishing. Wat Nong Bua, Wat Thung Si Muang, and Wat Supattanaram are spread across 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) of relatively flat roads, and you can cover them comfortably before the midday heat builds. The post-rain greenery around temple grounds looks particularly photogenic, and you'll catch monks doing morning alms rounds if you start early enough around 6:30-7am.
Night market food tours in comfortable evening temperatures
Evening temperatures in November drop to genuinely pleasant levels around 24-26°C (75-79°F), making the sprawling night markets actually enjoyable to explore rather than sweaty endurance tests. The main Ubon night market along Kheuan Thani Road and the weekend Thung Si Muang market offer 100+ food stalls, and you can spend 2-3 hours grazing without wilting. November is peak season for certain Isaan specialties like grilled river fish and som tam variations using seasonal vegetables from the recent harvest.
Sam Phan Bok rock formations exploration
The Mekong's water level in November is in that sweet spot - low enough to expose the distinctive pothole rock formations at Sam Phan Bok, but high enough that the river still looks impressive rather than a muddy trickle. You can walk among the 3,000+ holes carved into the riverbed, and the late monsoon has cleaned out sediment leaving clearer pools. The 2-hour drive from Ubon through rural Isaan countryside is scenic in November with green rice paddies. Best visited midweek when domestic tourist crowds are minimal.
Kaeng Tana National Park waterfall visits
November catches the waterfalls at Kaeng Tana still flowing strong from monsoon runoff but without the dangerous flood conditions of September-October. The main cascade is impressive, and you can actually swim in the pools below - something that's either too dangerous in peak monsoon or too dried up by February. The surrounding forest is lush, and wildlife spotting is decent in early morning hours. The park is about 80 km (50 miles) north of Ubon, manageable as a half-day trip.
November Events & Festivals
Northeastern University cultural events
Ubon Ratchathani University and Rajabhat University occasionally host cultural performances and exhibitions in November as the academic semester progresses, though these aren't fixed-date tourist events. Worth checking university social media if you're interested in traditional Isaan music or student art shows - they're free and give you a glimpse of local cultural life that most tourists miss entirely.