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New Mexico Travel Guide

New Mexico — Travel Tips

Language

English is the official language of New Mexico but you will hear plenty of Spanish spoken throughout the state. On the 11 Native American pueblos, you may even hear an ancient language or two.

Currency

The currency used in New Mexico is the US dollar (US$). Banknotes come in denominations of US$1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. There are 100 cents in US$1, with coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents. Most of New Mexico is rural and undeveloped, so foreign currency should be exchanged at banks in large cities like Albuquerque or Santa Fe. ATMs might be hard to find in the remote villages, so carry enough cash when you hit the road. Credit cards are widely accepted in the tourist towns, but in the rural hamlets, cash is preferred.

Time

New Mexico is in the Mountain Time Zone (GMT -7, GMT -6 between March 12 and November 4 during daylight savings).

Electricity

New Mexico uses electricity at 110-120 Volts, 60Hz. Flat, two-prong plugs are typical, so it is recommended that you travel with a universal plug adapter if you are coming from Europe or Asia.

Communications

The dialing code for the United States is +1. New Mexico uses just two area codes for the entire state. In the northwest corner, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque, it is 505, while the rest of the state uses 575. Mobile phone coverage can be very poor in remote parts of New Mexico, but around all the large towns there is good reception. You will probably only find Wi-Fi internet hot spots in the major tourist towns like Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque.

Duty-free

All arriving visitors to the United States over 18 years is permitted to carry one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes (or 50 non-Cuban cigars or two kilograms of tobacco), and gifts valued at US$400 without paying any duty.

Tourist Office

New Mexico Tourism Department: 1491 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501 +1-505-827-7400 or http://www.newmexico.org/.

Consulates in New Mexico

Canadian Consulate General, Denver: +1-303-626-0640
German Consulate General, Houston: +1-713-627-7770
Netherlands Consulate General, San Francisco: +1-877-388-2443
French Consulate General, Los Angeles: +1-310-235-3200
Australian Consulate General, Denver: +1-303-321-2234
British Consulate General, Denver: +1-303-592-5200

Emergency

Emergency services: 911