City in New Mexico, United States
Santa Fe
High-desert art city with adobe streets, galleries, green chile and trails minutes away. Compact and unhurried, but pricey, at 2,100 m altitude, and a car is needed beyond the Plaza.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,800–5,200Comfortable, one person · $3,800–5,200Details
- Value for money10/100Better value than 9% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Jun, 30°CDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableCity water is safe and clean; the climate is dry, so drink extra at altitude.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$150–300Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards accepted almost everywhere; cash helps at Native American vendors under the Palace of the Governors portal and some farmers' stands.Details
Where to stay in Santa Fe
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Plaza / Downtown | First-timers: galleries, museums, restaurants on foot |
| Canyon Road | Art galleries and quiet evening walks |
| Railyard District | Farmers market, breweries, cafés, Rail Runner station |
| Guadalupe / Midtown | Cheaper rooms and local restaurants |
Apps that work in Santa Fe
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Taxis are rare and best booked by phone; the city is small enough that walking or a rental car works best.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards accepted almost everywhere; cash helps at Native American vendors under the Palace of the Governors portal and some farmers' stands.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in United States
- New York CityCity
- Las VegasCity
- Los AngelesCity
- OrlandoCity
- MiamiCity
- San FranciscoCity
- HonoluluCity
- Washington, D.C.Capital city
Going to Santa Fe solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Santa Fe meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.