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 (tel. 800/545-2070 or 505/827-7336). 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.
A valuable resource for information on outdoor recreation is the Public Lands Information Center, on the south side of town at 1474 Rodeo Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87505 (tel. 877/276-9404 or 505/438-7542). 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 Information Center collaborates with the New Mexico Department of Tourism. Log on to the website at www.publiclands.org, and you'll also be able to access links to 261 separate sites, which can be found by looking up either a particular activity or agency.
Northern New Mexico: Pre-Departure Checklist
To check in at a kiosk with an e-ticket, do you have the credit card you bought your ticket with or a frequent-flier card?
Did you find out your daily ATM withdrawal limit?
If you purchased traveler's checks, have you recorded the check numbers, and stored the documentation separately from the checks?
Did you bring your ID cards that could entitle you to discounts, such as AAA and AARP cards, student IDs, etc.?
Did you leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home?
Did you make advance reservations? Depending on when you travel, you'll want to make a few. If you plan to attend the Santa Fe Indian Market in August or the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October be sure to make hotel reservations long in advance. Up to a year is recommended.
Did you make sure your favorite attraction is open? This is only of real concern in relation to visiting the pueblos, which operate on their own schedules dictated by holy days and nature's seasons.
Do you have sunscreen and a water bottle? In New Mexico, you should carry these things with you at all times.
