New Mexico Warnings and Dangers

  The Floridas (pronounced FLOH-REE-DAS)
by DawnDesert
 
  • The Floridas (pronounced FLOH-REE-DAS)
      The Floridas (pronounced FLOH-REE-DAS)
    by DawnDesert
  • Dunes Drive One Hour After Being Cleaned
      Dunes Drive One Hour After Being Cleaned
    by TooTallFinn24
  • Disorientation While Walking in Dunes Is Easy
      Disorientation While Walking in Dunes Is...
    by TooTallFinn24
  • Cave Formations Damaged by Human Contact
      Cave Formations Damaged by Human Contact
    by TooTallFinn24
  • Near the start of the trail
      Near the start of the trail
    by toonsarah
 

Most Viewed Warnings and Dangers in New Mexico

1.

Safety   Albuquerque

Safety, Albuquerque

 10 Reviews  Like any large city, Albuquerque has crime, but several of the reviews here are too old. Over the past decade the city has worked hard at making Central Avenue from Nob Hill through Downtown much... 

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2.

Altitude Sickness   Albuquerque

Altitude Sickness, Albuquerque

 5 Reviews  EVEN THOUGH, I HAVE DEVELOPED COPD, AND ASTHMA RELATED RESPIRATORY HEALTH PROBLEMS, I STILL LIKE LIVING IN ALBUQUERQUE. THEY SAY THAT ALTITUDE IS A PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WITH THE ABOVE HEALTH SITUATION... 

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3.

Driving Albuquerque   Albuquerque

Driving Albuquerque, Albuquerque

 6 Reviews  Just and FYI if you are in the Southern part of New Mexico by Alamogordo on 70 or leaving Las Cruces up to Albuquerque on 25 be aware of the border patrol stops along the way. I am a citizen however... 

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4.

Weather   Albuquerque

Weather, Albuquerque

 4 Reviews  July and August are part of the "monsoon" season, so there is a possiblity of HEAVY rain. And I do mean heavy. In my first three days in town it rained each day and much of it bordered on the... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Carry ID

by toonsarah

It is New Mexico state law that anyone drinking alcohol must be over 21 years of age. Neither Chris nor I are under any delusions that we look anything like that young. Consequently we were not surprised to be able to buy beer and other drinks in a number of places during the first few days of our trip. The friendly Buffalo Bar in Silver City happily served us beer and Jack Daniels; the Socorro Springs Brewery had no problem with us enjoying their brews both with and after our meal; and our hotel in Grants served us without a quibble. So imagine our surprise, and initial amusement, when a server in the Flying Star Café in Albuquerque asked to see ID when we ordered two beers with our burgers. It is a very long while since anyone questioned whether I was over 21! But the server was adamant – no ID, no beer. She did however offer to see if her manager would waive the rule, but the manager...

Chris with that all-important ID
Ladders at Bandelier

by Florida999

If you are at all afraid of heights, not in good physical shape, or not used to very hot weather in the summer, it might not be a great idea to climb up to the Alcove house at Bandelier. It was very hot and dusty when we climbed up there and we noticed several other people got uncomfortable after the first ladder and went back down. We hike and climb up mountains all the time so it did not bother us. On the way out, there were a ton of firetrucks and ambulances at the entrance getting ready to transport someone out. We never found out what happened, but I had this horrible feeling someone fell off one of those ladders...so please be careful.

snow in May

by shohman

We were here at the very end of May with plans to white water raft and mountain bike. It snowed and sleeted every day we were there. the locals warned us that the weather in northern New Mexico can vary by the hour...kind of like my native Boston.

Road Hazards

by texomawriter

The roads in New Mexico can be hazardous because of animals: The wildlife in New Mexico is great (keep binoculars and cameras handy for pulling off to the side and taking pictures), but keep an eye out for dangerous conditions! You can usually spot wildlife at night because of the reflection of their eyes from your headlights, so watch for them or that "eye flash", especially in the mountains (bear, elk, deer) and plains (antelope, coyote).The passes are well known for falling rocks, so please pay attention. Even if rocks don't actually fall ON YOU, they may have fallen IN FRONT of you before you round that bend. Some mountain passes in New Mexico are known as dangerous for a reason, no matter how much people have tried to make them safe. If the pass says 30 MPH, follow that speed limit and go even slower if you're not sure. This is not NASCAR! By the way, in years where there is lots of...

Altitude Sickness

by texomawriter

I've read three warnings about altitude sickness in New Mexico, and none of them mentioned alcohol. Because many people are going there to ski, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun, alcohol is often involved. Unless you are acclimated because you live there, or you just plain get lucky, you will probably suffer headaches, fatigue, and/or extreme inebriation because of alcohol consumption.The most important things to remember are to drink plenty of water before you go skiing (snowboarding, golfing, snowmobiling, fishing, etc.), eat when you're hungry, and take it easy when you're not hitting the snow. Sounds simple, right? But it's true. You can drink alcohol, but make sure you have plenty of water, food, and rest in between. You'd be surprised how many people get dehydrated, light-headed, extremely drunk (even with their usual amount of beer/alcohol intake), disoriented, sick, or develop...

Border Patrol

by Ewingjr98

Relive Nazi Germany where the SS stop and search the cars along the highway!!! New Mexico has the same thrill and excitement as the Border Patrol divert all cars off I-10 to randomly search for illegal immigrants and contraband. Personally, I don't need the federal government looking over me that closely. There must be a better way to catch illegals rather than trampling my civil rights.

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Sand Storms

by Ewingjr98

Use caution with the weather in Arizona! Sand storms are common. Low visibility makes headlights essential...if the visibility is minimal, get as far off the highway as possible. If you just pull over to the edge of the road, you are asking to get rear-ended. Find the nearest exit!

Speed Trap

by Lesserloo

There are a lot of speed traps in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Most people just speed anyways and manage to not get a ticket but that's because they know the officer or some crap like that. The police love to pull over out of towners and give them a high priced ticket. If you argue and say that everyone around you was going the same speed-they won't hesitate to up the price. (my friend was visiting and got a $400 ticket for going 30 in a 25 when everyone else was going 40-45). Cops here are crooked and let their buddies get away with anything--even the cops themselves have been caught drunk driving. Don't get me started on this........just watch your speed.

Drunken Driving is a DON"T

by kymbanm

Drunk driving is a huge problem in New Mexico. Actually, in some communities, public intoxication is so extreme that it even shocks this experienced ER nurse.In Albuquerque, new laws have been passed that make the fines and legal ramifications of driving while itoxicated much more severe.For a first time offense, your car car be taken and sold. To maintain a driver's license, you will need to install an interlock ignition (not cheap) - this device is a breathalizer that must be used before the car will start. If you don't 'pass' the testing in the car, it won't start up. Jail time and fines can add significantly to your problems if you are caught.There are so many options to choose from instead of taking this risk .... bus, taxi, or a designated driver.So, take care of yourself, and others - don't drink and drive!Addendum Dec, 2005: DRUNK BUSTERS!!! The New Mexico State Police now have a...

Political grafitti in NM
Ditches are Deadly ...

by kymbanm

Along the bosque of the Rio Grande are irrigation ditches. Farmers and ranchers pay fees to have this water diverted off the river to water crops and cattle. This diversion is accomplished through irrigation chanels that we locals call ditches. Some ditches are deep, some run fast - all are potentially lethal to those silly enough to try and swim them.Water levels are controled from far distances, run-off contributes to the flow. As a result, a seemingly calm ditch can raise it's water levels and become a raging torrent without warning. Additionally, since the ditch banks tend to be steep, once inside the ditch, it can be quite difficult to get out.Another problem for non-locals is that you may not recognize the difference between an irrigation ditch and an arroyo. The arroyos are natural features that usually accomodate run off from the mountains and torrential rains. In more urban...

Sleepy irrigation ditch life ....

Top 3 Hotels in New Mexico

La Posada de Albuquerque  Albuquerque

 5 Reviews and 428 Opinions  For a hotel that is rather expensive, the customer service was horrible. No coffee in the rooms;... 

 Hotels in Albuquerque

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La Fonda On The Plaza  Santa Fe

 4 Reviews and 711 Opinions  Although I have attended conferences, eaten in the restaurant and met people at the La Fonda Hotel,... 

 Hotels in Santa Fe

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El Pueblo Lodge  Taos

 1 Review and 376 Opinions  $79.00 per Night 

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New Mexico Warnings and Dangers

Reviews and photos of New Mexico warnings and dangers posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for New Mexico sightseeing.
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