Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital city, is primarily famous for its art galleries, more than 20 museums, and numerous art markets in different countries like India and Spain. As a traveler, you can expect to experience various cultures, rich histories and many exciting outdoor activities in Santa Fe. But before that, you need to confirm what is the best time to visit Santa Fe without making fuss. For that, read the below section for more details.
The Creative Cities Network of UNESCO has also recognized the city for its uniqueness. According to Santa Fe, around two million visitors visit the city to explore its beautiful offerings every year.
If you are also planning to visit the city but confused about what is the best time to visit Santa Fe, keep reading. We’ve created this article to help you determine when you can visit Santa Fe.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Santa Fe?
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Generally, September to November is considered one of the best times to take a trip to Santa Fe. The weather is perfect around these times, and the crowds are quite less compared to other months. You can enjoy beautiful scenery and various outdoor activities with a little cold weather.
However, even if it is the best time to visit Santa Fe, it cannot be ideal for everyone. Some people may not like cold weather and prefer to have fun in spring or slightly hot weather. Keeping that in mind, we have described the weather and overall condition of Santa Fe in every single month. It will allow you to determine which month suits you best when visiting Santa Fe.
1. January to March
January is usually cold in Santa Fe and has fewer crowds than usual. The average temperature of Santa Fe in the month lies between 6° and 8°, along with some snow. This month allows you to enjoy activities like skiing, hot air balloon rides, guided historic tours of Santa Fe, and much more.
In February, the temperature remains breezy and cool, just like January. This month is considered quite slow for the tourists visiting Santa Fe. However, couples can have a great vacation this month as Valentine’s week offers many romantic places and festivals where you can enjoy your time with your other half.
As March approaches, the weather in Santa Fe slowly starts to get warmer. This month is considered the beginning of spring. Thus, the temperature will still be slightly cooler than usual. Generally, around this time, the temperature of this month lies between 13° to -3°. There are many things that you can do when visiting Santa Fe in March. For instance, go hiking, taste the local cuisine, visit a winery, and more.
2. April To June
In April, spring has officially begun with temperatures between 0° to 17°. If you are someone who likes a quiet environment, then April is your best time to visit Santa Fe. This month also offers a variety of outdoor activities, a perfect time for people who love adventures.
Coming to May, the temperature stays quite warm and ranges between 22° to 5°. However, some people may also describe this month as slightly cool. Just like the month of April, you can enjoy activities like hiking, biking, or walking around some attractive areas of Santa Fe.
The warm weather continues in June with some gentle winds. The temperature in this month ranges from a high of 28° to a low of 10°. Again, you can indulge in various outdoor activities and attend exclusive events around this time.
3. July To September
July, August, and September are considered the peak season in Santa Fe. The temperature of these three months is usually the same. In July and August, the temperature ranges from the high of 30° to the low of 12°. In September, you can expect the temperature to be between the high of 25° and low of 8°.
The city is crowded around these times as most people come to explore the outdoor activities and enjoy the events. If you don’t like crowded or busy areas, avoid visiting Santa Fe at this time. However, if you love art, these months can offer you a great art market to explore.
The prices of flights, hotels, restaurants, and outdoor activities increase. Thus, if you are visiting Santa Fe around July, August or September, make sure to do your booking at least six months before to avoid Higher prices.
Also, July and August are considered the rainiest months in Santa Fe. On average, you can expect to see around seven rainy days. Therefore, ensure to carry your monsoon essentials to cope with the rainy days if you are visiting Santa Fe around these times.
However, the crowd stays the same in September, but you can expect only a few rainy days compared to July and August.
4. October to December
October to December are the best months for people who want to avoid crowds and enjoy their vacation at lower prices.
When October arrives, the crowd disappears, and the temperature begins to drop, lying between 19° to 2° – making it one of the best times to visit Santa Fe.
So, if you don’t like crowded areas, October might be your month to visit Santa Fe. There are also various activities that you can indulge in. For example, go for a hike in the National Forest, take a hot air balloon ride, learn cooking, and many more.
In November, the crowd continues to decline and welcomes all the visitors who like quiet places. You can expect to see some snowfall this month.
December is considered the snowiest month of the year in Santa Fe. You can enjoy the chilly weather with snow all around. There are many things that you can do in the month, for example, enjoy the outdoors, visit Indian winter markets, indulge in Mexican Cuisine, and rejoice in the Botanical Garden GLOW.
What Is The Cheapest Time To Visit Santa Fe?
From November to April, there is an off-season in Santa Fe. Around this time, you are likely to experience cold weather, but you can easily enjoy yourself at lower prices with the least amount of crowd. As this is the off-season, you won’t be able to do much outside except visit folk art museums and pubs or hit ski slopes, etc.
When Not To Visit Santa Fe?
According to the sources, July to August is perceived to be one of the worst times to visit Santa Fe. Around this time, the weather is extremely hot, and tourist season is at its all-time high, a lethal combination that easily destroys your trip.
These months also bring along heavy rainfall, which means you won’t have many outdoor activities to do at this time. However, there are a few things that you can do around these months, for example, visit the annual events like Folk Art Event, Pancake On The Plaza, and many more.
If you do not have any other option and have to visit Santa Fe around this time, make sure to make your booking beforehand. Otherwise, you will have to pay hefty prices if you procrastinate on the booking of your trip.
Things To Keep In Mind When Visiting Santa Fe
Before heading to Santa Fe, here are a few things you must know to make your trip more fruitful.
- Bring The Right Clothes – It is essential to bring the right clothes to tackle the temperature of Santa Fe. Bring your heavy jackets to tackle the cold winds if you are visiting Santa Fe in winter. If you are visiting Santa Fe during summer, get some light and comfortable clothes.
- Avoid Going Out Late Night – While enjoying Santa Fe’s beauties, you should also ensure your safety. Staying in populated and well-lit areas and neglecting walking at night is advised. Also, avoid traveling alone to Santa Fe and have a partner with yourself, like your friend or family member.
- Do Not Forget To Buy Some Jewelry – Santa Fe is considered one of the best places to buy Southwestern jewelry. So, if you are a jewelry lover, get some from Santa Fe to add to your collection.
- Beware Of The Snakes – When roaming around water areas like pools or lakes, be cautious as there are some chances that snakes might be present there.
- Keep Your Expensive Items Safe – In crowded areas, especially around Canyon Road, pickpocketing can be a problem. Therefore, always make sure to keep your valuable items hidden.
- Visit The Music Venues – There’s an abundance of music venues in Santa Fe where you can enjoy music and also explore the local culture of Santa Fe.
- Go For Biking – If you are visiting Santa Fe with a group of friends, mountain biking is one of the best adventures to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many days do you need in Santa Fe?
In general, three days are enough to explore Santa Fe. However, to enjoy Santa Fe properly, try spending around 4 to 5 days in Santa Fe. In this time period, you can easily go through the beautiful places that Santa Fe has to offer.
2. Is Santa Fe expensive to visit?
Santa Fe is not expensive, and most people can afford a nice vacation there. However, it is considered quite expensive if we compare it to other towns in New Mexico.
3. What is the best part of Santa Fe?
Santa Fe consists of numerous attractive places, but Canyon Road is one of the nicest parts of Santa Fe. It offers you more than 100 galleries, quaint boutiques, and adobe restaurants.
4. Is Santa Fe a walkable city?
Yes, Santa Fe is considered a walkable city. But it also depends on the area that you are visiting. For instance, the central part of Santa Fe is considered a very walkable area compared to the other parts of the city.
5. What months does it snow in Santa Fe?
November to April are considered snowy months in Santa Fe.
Conclusion
From September to November is known to be the best time to visit Santa Fe. But, if these months don’t suit you, there’s no need to worry. Santa Fe offers a great variety of weather conditions throughout the year, and you can easily choose whichever month fits you well. However, if you are visiting Santa Fe in its peak season, remember to book your tickets in advance to avail lower prices. And, always be attentive while traveling to ensure your safety.
Ansh Sharma is a content writer who possesses the skill of describing different topics in a simple and creative manner. He has a vast interest in crypto and finances, but is also well-versed with many other niches like pets, health, technology, gaming, etc. Apart from writing, he loves to read non-fiction books to continually learn and grow.
