Fast Facts: New Mexico
Area Codes The telephone area code for northwestern New Mexico, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe, is 505. For the rest of the state, including Taos, the code is 575.
Business Hours Offices and stores are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with many stores also open Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. Most banks are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 6pm. Some may also be open Saturday morning. Most branches have ATMs available 24 hours. Call establishments for specific hours.
Cellphones (Mobile Phones) See “Staying Connected,” in chapter 3.
Drinking Laws The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it’s always a good idea to bring ID when you go out.
Bars may remain open until 2am Monday to Saturday and until midnight on Sunday. Wine, beer, and spirits are sold at licensed supermarkets and liquor stores, but there are no package sales on election days until after 7pm, and on Sundays before noon. It is illegal to transport liquor through most Native American reservations.
Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn’t zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the spot. Don’t even think about driving while intoxicated.
Driving Rules See “Getting There & Around,” in chapter 3.
Electricity Like Canada, the United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220–240 volts to 110–120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring one with you.
Embassies & Consulates All embassies are in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn’t listed below, call for directory information in Washington, D.C. (
202/555-1212), or check www.embassy.org/embassies.
The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 ( 202/797-3000; www.australia.visahq.com). Consulates are in New York, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 ( 202/682-1740; www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington). Other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (New York), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.
The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 ( 202/462-3939; www.embassyofireland.org). Irish consulates are in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities. See website for complete listing.
The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 ( 202/328-4800; www.nzembassy.com). New Zealand consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.
The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 ( 202/588-6500; www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk). Other British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Emergencies In case of emergency, dial 911. For more specific information, see “Fast Facts” in chapters 6, 7, and 8.
Gasoline (Petrol) At press time, the cost of gasoline in the U.S. (also known as gas, but never petrol) is abnormally high. In New Mexico, prices run a little above the national average. Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons.
Holidays Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year’s Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents’ Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans’ Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years, and next in 2012). For more information on holidays see “Calendar of Events,” in chapter 3.
Insurance In these uncertain times, travel insurance is always a good idea, but if you find that option costly, here is something to consider: In this region the weather and political climate are fairly reliable, so your trip won’t likely be interrupted by those conditions. For information on traveler’s insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling, please visit www.frommers.com/tips.
Internet Access See “Staying Connected,” in chapter 3.
Legal Aid If you are “pulled over” for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. Here the burden is on the state to prove a person’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. The international visitor should call his or her embassy or consulate.
Mail At press time, domestic postage rates were 28¢ for a postcard and 44¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 98¢ (75¢ to Canada and 79¢ to Mexico); a first-class postcard costs the same as a letter. For more information go to www.usps.com.
If you aren’t sure what your address will be in the United States, mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call 800/275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, and so on). Most post offices will hold mail for up to 1 month, and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.
Always include zip codes when mailing items in the U.S. If you don’t know your zip code, visit www.usps.com/zip4.
Newspapers & Magazines See “Staying Connected,” in chapter 3.
Passports See “Embassies & Consulates,” above, for whom to contact if you lose your passport while traveling in the U.S. For other information, contact the following agencies:
For Residents of Australia Contact the Australian Passport Information Service at 131-232, or visit www.passports.gov.au.
For Residents of Canada Contact the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 ( 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).
For Residents of Ireland Contact the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 ( 01/671-1633; www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie).
For Residents of New Zealand Contact the Passports Office, Department of Internal Affairs, 47 Boulcott St., Wellington, 6011 ( 0800/225-050 in New Zealand, or 04/474-8100; www.passports.govt.nz).
For Residents of the United Kingdom Visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency, or contact the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), 89 Eccleston Sq., London, SW1V 1PN ( 0300/222-0000; www.ips.gov.uk).
For Residents of the United States To find your regional passport office, check the U.S. State Department website (www.travel.state.gov/passport) or call the National Passport Information Center ( 877/487-2778) for automated information.
Police In case of emergencies, dial 911. For local police stations, see “Fast Facts” in chapters 6, 7, and 8.
Smoking New Mexico recently outlawed smoking at indoor public places, including restaurants and nightclubs. Some hotels offer rooms that allow smoking, though the number of these is dwindling.
Taxes Please see “Fast Facts” in chapters 6, 7, and 8 for specifics about city taxes. The United States has no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect tax at the national level. Every state, county, and city may levy its own local tax on all purchases, including hotel and restaurant checks and airline tickets. These taxes will not appear on price tags.
Telephones See “Staying Connected,” in chapter 3.
Time New Mexico is on Mountain Standard Time, 1 hour ahead of the West Coast and 2 hours behind the East Coast. When it’s 10am in Santa Fe, it’s noon in New York, 11am in Chicago, and 9am in San Francisco.
Daylight saving time (summer time) is in effect from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time.
Tipping In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2–$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you’ve left a big mess for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 every time you get your car.
In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff and bartenders 15% to 20% of the check, tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.
As for other service personnel, tip cab drivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2–$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.
Toilets You won’t find public toilets or restrooms on the streets in most U.S. cities, but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.
Visas For information about U.S. visas, go to www.travel.state.gov and click on “Visas.” Or go to one of the following websites:
Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 ( 02/6214-5600), or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission’s website at http://canberra.usembassy.gov.
British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line ( 0891/200-290) or by visiting the “Visas” section of the American Embassy London’s website at www.usembassy.org.uk.
Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the U.S. Embassy Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 ( 353/1-668-8777; http://dublin.usembassy.gov).
Citizens of New Zealand can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy New Zealand, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington ( 644/472-2068; http://newzealand.usembassy.gov).
Visitor Information Numerous agencies can assist you with planning your trip. The Visitors Information Center for the New Mexico Department of Tourism is located at 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501 ( 800/733-6396 or 505/827-7400). You can also find general New Mexico information on the Department of Tourism’s website at www.newmexico.org. Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque each have their own information service for visitors (see the “Orientation” sections in chapters 6, 7, and 8, respectively).
A valuable resource for information on outdoor recreation is the Public Lands Information Center, on the south side of town at 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508 ( 877/276-9404 or 505/954-2002; www.publiclands.org). Here, adventurers can find out what’s available on lands administered by the National Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (which sells hunting and fishing licenses), and the New Mexico State Parks Division. The New Mexico Department of Tourism will send you a free state map if you call 800/733-6396 or 505/827-7400. Or, check out www.mapquest.com.
Water All municipal water in the region is potable.
Wi-Fi See “Staying Connected,” in chapter 3.
Airline Websites
Major Airlines
American Airlines & American Eagle
Continental Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
US Airways
Budget Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines