New Mexico & Southwest Travel Information & Recommendations
• Distances between towns and sites in the Southwest can be great. Seven Directions provides water and snacks.
• Baggage. Since we are moving constantly, please limit your luggage to one suitcase and one carry-on item.
• Sun protection. Lotions and creams are important assets in the Southwest ( New Mexico). The sun burns and the air is very dry. Hats, scarves, and dark glasses are recommended. There are no particular bugs, just rattlesnakes out in the burning desert…
• Healthcare. it is better to bring along your own medicines or your doctor’s prescriptions. If one doesn’t have health insurance or one that is accepted in the United States, expenses can be very high for a doctor appointment or urgent care. A specific insurance for healthcare and emergency medical evacuation is recommended
• Credit cards. These are accepted in most places. Visa is the most popular one. ATM machines for cash withdrawal are everywhere. One is not permitted to bring into the U.S. cash, checks or travelers’ checks for more than $10,000 (not Euros!)
• Phones. To call from abroad, one needs to dial the international code to go out of the country (from Italy and France, for instance, the code is 00), 1 for the USA, then the area code and number one wants to reach. Cell phones can work almost anywhere, with the exception of remote areas, but if your phone service is non-American, then your phone needs to be a tri-band cell phone. Telephone cards are cheap and can easily be used from hotels or public phones.
• Photos. Any camera or video camera can get service in the main cities. It is important to know that photos can not be taken on Native Reservations unless a fee is paid (but not always and everywhere)
• Food. There is a great selection of cuisines across the entire area, where a huge variety of chiles, green and red , is readily available . Salsa, guacamole and corn chips (including blue ones) are on most restaurant menus and tables. Caution: the salsas can be really hot! ! The choice of gourmet food is limited in parks, Indian reservations and small towns.
• Drinks. Good wines from around the world are easily available, and all western states have their vineyards which produce excellent wines too. Beers from local breweries, as well as most international brands, are readily available. Tap water is safe to drink, but Italian, French and Canadian bottled waters are also very popular, and expensive. Local bottled waters are available in abundance.
• Driver’s license. In order to rent a car, most national driving licenses are accepted.
• Adapter. Bring an adapter for any electrical equipment you want to use, and a 220 to 110 volt converter.
• Airports. In New Mexico, the Sunport in Albuquerque is the only local airport with international connections. From Europe, the main layovers are in Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Dallas. Santa Fe Airport has many flights a day to and from from several US western cities. Smaller airports are present in a number of other New Mexico towns.
• Passports. If you are not a US citizen and you don’t hold a Visa that allows you to enter into the U.S., check with your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy about the latest requirements. In any case, you need an electronic passport, and as of the fall of 2006, you will need a passport that features an electronic picture.
U.S. Department of State
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New Mexico is blessed with abundant sunshine, even in winter—over 250 days of sun every year. With high mountains that hold snow all winter and formidable desert where temperatures routinely reach 100 degrees, New Mexico has a climate as varied as its landscape. In general, the weather is mild, but with four distinct seasons. The air is always very dry and very pure. Winter snows can begin as early as November and linger through April in the mountainous areas. Summer brings very hot weather in the southern regions, but milder temperatures in the north and in higher elevations. Although it is quite dry, afternoon thunderstorms wash much of the state in July and August. Evenings tend to be cool, even in mid-summer.
There is a similar weather pattern in the other Southwest states. However temperatures can be way above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 40 degrees Celsius) in the deserts and in areas of Southern Arizona where, instead, winters can be really enjoyable.
Dress in the summer is generally casual- light, but with some layers always available, a hat, comfortable shoes. In winter, wool is necessary and a heavy jacket or coat should always be within reach. Scarves and waterproof walking shoes are great assets. For evenings, there is no dress code- but in some restaurants and at the Opera in Santa Fe or in other cities' theaters, people can be more elegant than usual. A small extra bag for short trips can be useful.
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