Roswell, New Mexico is a mysterious town known for being the site of an alleged UFO crash. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Roswell, New Mexico?
You should plan to spend around $148 per day on your vacation in Roswell, New Mexico. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $76 on meals
- $38 on local transportation
- $91 on hotels
A one week trip to Roswell, New Mexico for two people costs, on average, $2,072. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$1,036
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$2,072
-
One Month
Per person
$4,440
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,072
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$4,144
-
One Month
For a couple
$8,880
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Roswell, New Mexico cost?
A one week trip to Roswell, New Mexico usually costs around $1,036 for one person and $2,072 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Roswell, New Mexico on average costs around $2,072 for one person and $4,144 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Roswell, New Mexico will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Roswell, New Mexico on average costs around $4,440 for one person and $8,880 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Roswell, New Mexico expensive to visit?
Roswell, New Mexico is a smaller destination that attracts travelers with diverse styles, spending habits, and budgetary preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
If you choose to make it so, Roswell, New Mexico can be very pricey, but you can reduce your expenses by eating at less expensive restaurants and looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $65 per day, mid-range travelers spend $148 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $284 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Roswell, New Mexico.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Roswell, New Mexico is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Hope, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Roswell, New Mexico Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Roswell, New Mexico?
The average Roswell, New Mexico trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Roswell, New Mexico travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Roswell, New Mexico cost?
Roswell, New Mexico on a Budget
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$20
|
$46
|
$87
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$17
|
$38
|
$72
|
Food 2
|
$33
|
$76
|
$145
|
Entertainment 1
|
$14
|
$33
|
$62
|
Alcohol 2
|
$2-6
|
$5-14
|
$9-27
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit Roswell, New Mexico on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $65 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
If you're a couple or a family on a fun getaway, you might want to choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at well-liked restaurants, and visit the key museums and attractions that come with entry fees. Those traveling to Roswell, New Mexico often aim to see the major attractions, museums, and noteworthy landmarks. Most activities are not free, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to plan on a daily budget of about $148 per person, per day.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If you envision a trip that covers everything with high-end amenities and top-tier service, be ready for a daily expense near $284. Enjoying nicer hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, participating in extravagant activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the town will require a premium budget.
Accommodation Budget in Roswell, New Mexico
Hotel prices in Roswell, New Mexico can really fluctuate, especially between budget and luxury options. Expect higher costs during peak summer season, when rates climb from an off-season average of $85 up to around $159. From $61 for budget options to $228 for luxury hotels, there's something for everyone. Hostels, particularly dorms, are typically cheaper. Book early or travel in the low season for better prices.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Roswell, New Mexico for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $91. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $46 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Roswell, New Mexico? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Roswell, New Mexico include:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Roswell starting at $128
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Roswell starting at $116
- Hampton Inn & Suites Roswell starting at $110
- Quality Inn & Suites Roswell starting at $77
Choosing to travel outside of summer and in the low or shoulder season will give you lower hotel prices and less tourist congestion.
Transportation Budget in Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico lacks an efficient public transit system. There are buses, but it's easier to have your own car.
Some regions of Roswell, New Mexico are walkable, which can enhance your sightseeing experience. The historic district is compact and walkable.
Public Transit: 



(moderate)
Walkability: 



(good)
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Roswell, New Mexico. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Roswell, New Mexico is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$38
Ensure that your hotel has easy parking arrangements if you're planning to drive.
How much does it cost to go to Roswell, New Mexico? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Roswell, New Mexico will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Roswell, New Mexico
Cuisine in Roswell, New Mexico is good, but it's not well known enough to draw in tourists for the restaurant scene. Still, there are a handful of excellent dining spots in the town to discover. It's a good place to grab lunch as there are many casual restaurants that serve everything from burgers to tacos or other Mexican dishes.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Roswell, New Mexico can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Roswell, New Mexico is $76 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$76
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Roswell, New Mexico is around $76 ($76) per person, with previous travelers spending from $33 to $145. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Roswell, New Mexico are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $23
- Lunch: $11 to $30
- Dinner: $23 to $53
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $11
Any town in the southwestern United States is a hub for good Mexican restaurants. With a Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, Los Cerritos is a casual Mexican restaurant serving breakfast, tacos, burritos, seafood, burgers, wine, and beer. Another casual stop is Peppers Grill & Bar, family-friendly with a Southwestern menu from burgers to Mexican staples. If you're looking for a little more ambiance, Tia Juana's Mexican Grill & Cantina serves up margaritas and Mexican cuisine in a festive cantina atmosphere. If Mexican is just not your thing, Roswell also has a mix of ethnic cuisine from Thai to Italian, as well as your regular American cafes, pubs, and fast food.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Instead of constantly buying drinks, bring along a water bottle. It's also great for the planet.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Roswell, New Mexico
Visitors find Roswell, New Mexico irresistible, especially for its museums and attractions, food, and family-friendly activities.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Roswell, New Mexico typically cost an average of $33 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$33
With its tourism built on aliens, a visit to Roswell will have you seeing extraterrestrials around every corner. Even the windows of Walmart are painted with little green men greeting customers happily. From alien statues at bus corners to vending machines decked with alien art, the town of Roswell is overrun with extraterrestrial paraphernalia. One of the biggest attractions is of course the International UFO Museum and Research Center. For a small fee, visitors can walk through exhibits that not only feature the Roswell Incident, but also alleged abductions, crop circles, and the infamous Project Blue Book. While the museum has a gift shop full of great novelties, the main street is lined with even more. A day just walking around town is sure to meet visitors with quirky characters, wacky shops, and enough alien sightings to last a lifetime.
Once again, aliens are the main attraction of Roswell. From the UFO Museum to the decor around town, one cannot escape the extraterrestrial hype. There are a few museums, however, dedicated to southwestern culture of the area. The Roswell Museum & Art Center, for example, hosts a fine array of sculptures, artifacts, prints, painting and photographs which showcase the history and art traditions of the American Southwest. The Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art houses a diverse and eclectic collection of over 200 art pieces, and also features participants from the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program, which began in 1967. Other attractions include the General Douglas L McBride Military Museum, the Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico, the Walker Aviation Museum, Spring River Park and Zoo, as well as the Robert H Goddard Planetarium which adjoins with the Roswell Museum and Art Center.
For those looking for outdoor enjoyment, the Bottomless Lakes State Park is another popular attraction located about 15 miles southeast of Roswell. Carved from limestone by the river and aquifer, the lakes are actually ancient caves that have collapsed. Not only are they a natural phenomenon, but they are a great setting for swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is another great outdoor feature of the region, home to many aquatic species, dragonflies, and birds.
Nightlife Budget in Roswell, New Mexico
The nightlife in Roswell, New Mexico is pretty much non-existent. There's no real nightlife scene and many visitors stop over in route somewhere else.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $9.29 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Roswell, New Mexico per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$9.29
The nightlife scene is a lot of fun, but reducing how much you drink can go a long way in keeping your budget on track.
Traveling in Roswell, New Mexico
The town of Roswell, New Mexico, of the Southwestern United States, has become most known for one thing-aliens. It gained its fame for an alleged UFO crash in the vicinity of the town back in 1947. Many speculated that the incident involved an extraterrestrial spacecraft and its alien occupants, and that that an alien craft was found and its occupants were captured, but the military then engaged in a cover-up. It has been a topic of much controversy since the 1970s, and has since turned the town into a tourist attraction for those interested in aliens, UFOs, and science fiction.
All aliens aside, the area was first populated by pioneers from Missouri looking to start a new settlement. Van C. Smith, a businessman from Omaha, Nebraska, and his partner, Aaron Wilburn, constructed two adobe buildings in 1869 that began what is now Roswell. Smith named the town Roswell after his father's first name and the town grew from there. Today Roswell acts as a center for irrigated farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also home to New Mexico Military Institute.
Neighborhoods & Around
Main Street in Roswell is definitely the center of tourist activity. In addition to the International UFO Museum and Research Center and a ton of little stores for souvenir shopping, the main street also houses the Roswell Visitor's Bureau where visitors can stop for pamphlets, brochures, books, and information on the town. Just around the corner from the bureau is another attraction called the Roswell Museum & Art Center. A little break from aliens, this museum exhibits history, scientific discovery, art with Southwestern significance. Main Street is also lined with plenty of options for dining, from cafes and bakeries to bars and dives.
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