15 Things People From New Mexico Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners

Yay! You have out of state guests coming. You’re excited to show them the wonders of the Land of Enchantment yet, at the same time, you know you’ll end up answering the same questions and trotting out the same advice. Save yourself some time and help out of towners prepare for an upcoming trip by sending them this article instead.

1. We did clean our home in anticipation of your arrival. You just can’t tell.

Endless dust is a fact of life in New Mexico, especially in spring.

2. We have all four seasons in the Land of Enchantment.

These are especially noticeable in mountainous parts of the state.

3. Speaking of which… altitudes here range from 2842 feet to 13,161 feet above sea level and it may take some getting used to.

We’re accustomed to the thin air. But visitors are often surprised to find that they’re out of breath.

4. You need sunscreen and sunglasses, even when it’s cold.

New Mexico is a sunny state so you may be shivering, but your skin and eyes still need protection.

5. Dress in layers.

Just call us the stripper state! Temperatures can easily vary 20 degrees between morning and evening so while you often start and end the day bundled up, come noon you’ll be down to one or two layers.

6. It’s quite common to find yourself without cell reception in New Mexico.

We have cell towers, but this is a vast, sparsely populated state. Go low tech for a day. You might enjoy it.

7. If you’re traveling with small pets, watch out for our wildlife.

Coyotes in particular are known for snatching small dogs. We also have birds of prey, mountain lions, bears…

8. Flash floods are serious business.

You’ll see warning signs throughout the state. It’s crucial to avoid arroyos and slot canyons when it rains. Summer is monsoon season and, if we’re really lucky, it rains on a daily basis.

9. Turn off the tap.

In New Mexico water is a precious resource and we hate it when people waste it.

10. That motif you see throughout the state is the Zia Sun Symbol.

It’s on our flag, our beer, it’s part of our architecture, and sometimes we tattoo it on our bodies.

This symbol has multiple meanings and represents everything from the four seasons to the four stages of life.

11. You may think you didn’t order chile but, trust us, you did.

Chile finagles its way into cornbread, nut brittle, apple pie… Most of us consider this a good thing, but if you want to avoid spicy food, watch for the phrase "New Mexican twist" on menus.

12. If you want to try our cuisine (which we highly recommend doing) but take on more heat than you can handle, there are some ways to reduce the burn.

Try dairy or sopaipillas with honey.

13. Yes, that is an entire menu devoted to tequila and margaritas.

Bottoms up!

14. You don’t need to dress up here unless someone’s getting married or you’re going to the opera.

We’re practical folk who favor hiking boots over stilettos.

15. You won’t be bored in New Mexico. Our state offers visitors natural beauty, culture, art, and so much more.

The only limit is your imagination.

What tips do you give to out of town guests?

Warning: you may think you’re just visiting New Mexico, but you may well be tempted to relocate. To help with your decision, check out our previous article: "18 Reasons New Mexico Is The Best – And Everyone Should Move Here."