Quick Guide
Fall
Visit Albuquerque in the fall for warm weather, outdoor exploration (bike or walk the Bosque Trail) and an event-packed festival season, including the International Balloon Fiesta in October.
Winter
The nearby Sandia Mountains draw skiers during the winter months.
Spring and Summer
Shoulder season offers warmer weather and the potential for hotel bargains.
Visas
Travelers from outside the United States will need a valid passport, as well as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) eligibility or a full visa.
Money
Currency is U.S. dollars and ATMs are widely available. Typically, a gratuity is not added to your restaurant bill, so tip waitstaff accordingly (15 to 25 percent).
Travel Health
Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.
Getting Here
Fly into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), about five miles from the downtown area.
Getting Around
Hop on the city’s public transportation — ABQ RIDE — for reliable bus transportation throughout Albuquerque, and then explore the walkable neighborhoods on foot. The downtown area offers bike-share rentals via BICI, while taxis, car rentals and rideshare services are a better option for exploring outside city limits. The commuter rail network, called New Mexico Rail Runner Express (NMRX), serves the 100-mile Rio Grande corridor and connects to Santa Fe.
Local Lingo
When dining at an Albuquerque restaurant, a server might ask, “Red or green?” This refers to whether you prefer red or green chile when ordering New Mexican cuisine, signifying the importance of the chile industry to New Mexico’s economy. Tip: These chiles are spicy.
Must-Have Apps
Insider Tip
Don’t miss historic Old Town to see Albuquerque’s cultural diversity on full display. With 22 Native American tribes throughout New Mexico along with a large Latinx and Hispanic population, Albuquerque’s cultural blend is showcased through the local cuisine, historical sites and museums, and artisan handiwork that make this city such a unique Southwest experience.
Fall
Visit Albuquerque in the fall for warm weather, outdoor exploration (bike or walk the Bosque Trail) and an event-packed festival season, including the International Balloon Fiesta in October.
Winter
The nearby Sandia Mountains draw skiers during the winter months.
Spring and Summer
Shoulder season offers warmer weather and the potential for hotel bargains.
Visas
Travelers from outside the United States will need a valid passport, as well as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) eligibility or a full visa.
Money
Currency is U.S. dollars and ATMs are widely available. Typically, a gratuity is not added to your restaurant bill, so tip waitstaff accordingly (15 to 25 percent).
Travel Health
Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.
Getting Here
Fly into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), about five miles from the downtown area.
Getting Around
Hop on the city’s public transportation — ABQ RIDE — for reliable bus transportation throughout Albuquerque, and then explore the walkable neighborhoods on foot. The downtown area offers bike-share rentals via BICI, while taxis, car rentals and rideshare services are a better option for exploring outside city limits. The commuter rail network, called New Mexico Rail Runner Express (NMRX), serves the 100-mile Rio Grande corridor and connects to Santa Fe.
Local Lingo
When dining at an Albuquerque restaurant, a server might ask, “Red or green?” This refers to whether you prefer red or green chile when ordering New Mexican cuisine, signifying the importance of the chile industry to New Mexico’s economy. Tip: These chiles are spicy.
Must-Have Apps
Insider Tip
Don’t miss historic Old Town to see Albuquerque’s cultural diversity on full display. With 22 Native American tribes throughout New Mexico along with a large Latinx and Hispanic population, Albuquerque’s cultural blend is showcased through the local cuisine, historical sites and museums, and artisan handiwork that make this city such a unique Southwest experience.
DID YOU KNOW
It’s hard to spell, so what’s the deal with Albuquerque’s unique name? Its Latin origins tell the story, with “albus” and “quercus” translating to “white oak.”
Explore Native New Mexico
