Santa Fe, New Mexico | City Guide for Travel Healthcare Pros

Welcome to Santa Fe, NM!

Santa Fe, known as "The City Different," is a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultures. As the oldest capital city in the U.S., it offers a rich tapestry of history, art, and architecture, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. For travel nurses, Santa Fe provides a serene environment with a vibrant arts scene, making it an ideal place to live and work.​Architectural DigestCondé Nast Traveler

💰 Cost of Living

Santa Fe's cost of living is approximately 15% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing costs. However, utilities and transportation are generally on par with national averages. For travel nurses, furnished short-term rentals are available, with prices varying based on location and amenities.​

🌦️ Weather in Santa Fe, NM (Month by Month)

Santa Fe has a high-desert climate, meaning it sees plenty of sunshine, low humidity, and large temperature swings between day and night. At over 7,000 ft elevation, it’s cooler than other New Mexico cities and gets all four seasons.

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Notes
January	43°F	18°F	Cold mornings, occasional snow ❄️
February	48°F	21°F	Cool and crisp, some snowy days 🌨️
March	55°F	27°F	Warming up, early spring blooms 🌱
April	63°F	34°F	Beautiful days, chilly nights 🌤️
May	72°F	43°F	Ideal for hiking and exploring ☀️
June	83°F	52°F	Dry, warm, and sunny 🌞
July	86°F	56°F	Warmest month, occasional rain 🌦️
August	83°F	54°F	Still warm, monsoon rains possible ⛈️
September	77°F	47°F	Cooling down, golden aspens 🍂
October	66°F	36°F	Crisp air, peak fall colors 🍁
November	53°F	25°F	Cold nights, possible early snow 🌬️
December	44°F	19°F	Festive, snowy landscapes 🎄

📍 Over 280 sunny days per year make this a dream for outdoor lovers!Source: WeatherSpark

🛋️ Furnished Housing Options

For travel nurses seeking short-term, furnished accommodations:

• Travel Nurse Housing – Santa Fe: Offers a variety of furnished monthly rentals tailored for travel professionals.​Travel Nurse Housing+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre+3

• Airbnb – Santa Fe Monthly Stays: Provides fully furnished rentals with flexible lease terms suitable for extended stays.​

• Zillow – Furnished Apartments: Features listings for apartments and homes, some of which may be furnished.​

• Apartments.com – Furnished Rentals: Search for furnished apartments available for short-term leases.​

Availability may vary seasonally, so it's advisable to secure housing well in advance.​

🏨 Extended Stay Hotels

For those preferring hotel amenities:

• Santa Fe Suites: Offers spacious suites with kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast, and a fitness center.​

• Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Fe: Provides extended-stay accommodations with full kitchens and a convenient location.​

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Santa Fe-North: Features suites with kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and evening socials.​

These hotels offer convenient options for short-term stays with the comfort of home-like amenities.​

🚐 RV Park Options

For travel nurses traveling with RVs:

• Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground: Offers full hookups, laundry facilities, and a peaceful setting among piñon and juniper trees.​

• Santa Fe Skies RV Park: Provides panoramic views, full hookups, and proximity to downtown Santa Fe.​

• Trailer Ranch RV Resort: A 55+ community offering full-service RV sites and a convenient location.​

These parks offer peaceful settings for those preferring RV accommodations.​

🎡 Fun Things to Do in Santa Fe

• Santa Fe Plaza: The historic heart of the city, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and museums.​

• Canyon Road: A half-mile stretch featuring over 100 art galleries and studios.​

• Georgia O'Keeffe Museum: Dedicated to the works of the iconic American artist.​

• Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return: An immersive art installation offering a unique, interactive experience.​

• Santa Fe Farmers Market: One of the country's top farmers markets, offering local produce and crafts.​

• Santa Fe Botanical Garden: Features native plants and beautiful landscapes for a relaxing stroll.​

• Dale Ball Trails: A network of trails offering scenic views for hiking and biking enthusiasts.​

• Santa Fe Rail Trail: A multi-use trail perfect for walking, running, or cycling.​

Santa Fe offers a variety of attractions that showcase its rich history and natural beauty.​

🚗 Nearby Weekend Trips

• 🏔️ Taos, NM (1.5 hrs)Explore adobe architecture, Taos Pueblo (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), art galleries, hot springs, and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Great for winter skiing or summer hiking.

• 🌊 Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs (1 hr)Soak in naturally heated pools at one of the country’s oldest health resorts. Surrounded by scenic hiking trails and total relaxation vibes.

• 🌄 Bandelier National Monument (45 min)Step into ancient history with cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and hikes through stunning canyons and mesas.

• 🌲 Pecos Wilderness & Pecos National Historical Park (40–60 min)Hike forested trails, fish mountain streams, or explore Civil War battle sites and ancient pueblos — peaceful and uncrowded.

• 🎨 Albuquerque, NM (1 hr)Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway, visit Old Town, catch the International Balloon Fiesta (October), or check out local breweries and Route 66 nostalgia.

• 🧖‍♀️ Ten Thousand Waves (15 min)A luxurious Japanese-style spa nestled in the Santa Fe mountains — perfect for a quick rejuvenating escape without leaving town.

🌟 Want to go big?

• 🏜️ White Sands National Park (4.5 hrs)Vast, surreal gypsum dunes that feel like another planet — amazing for photography, sledding, and stargazing.

• 🌋 Valles Caldera National Preserve (1.5 hrs)Explore a collapsed supervolcano, hot springs, and elk-filled meadows with epic scenic drives.

🧭 Summary

Santa Fe, NM is a one-of-a-kind assignment location offering stunning landscapes, rich culture, and an easygoing pace of life. Whether you're walking through adobe-lined streets, hiking high desert trails, or visiting world-class galleries, Santa Fe brings a peaceful and inspiring vibe to your travel nurse experience.

✅ Why Travel Nurses Love Santa Fe:

• Authentic culture & history in every corner

• Affordable housing (compared to major metros) and great short-term rental options

• Gorgeous weather year-round with four distinct seasons and low humidity

• World-class art, food, and nature all within minutes of downtown

• Great for adventurers and creatives alike – lots of trails, festivals, and art walks

• RV-friendly and surrounded by epic weekend destinations like Taos, Ojo Caliente, and Bandelier National Monument

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📍Whether you’re soaking in a hot spring, sipping on local chile-spiced cocoa, or exploring the high desert on your day off — Santa Fe is the perfect contract for those seeking purpose, peace, and a little magic ✨🏞️

Disclosure: The information provided in this guide is what I use to send my travelers and is obtained through ChatGPT, utilizing prompts I frequently use as a travel nurse recruiter. The content is designed to help travelers make informed decisions about potential destinations.