surprising santa fe: where a female solo traveler can easily enjoy!
- lisasaperbloom
- Jul 15, 2025
- 10 min read
Authentically written and photographed by Lisa Saper-Bloom
Contributing photos: Santa Fe Balloons
No AI or photo stock is ever used.
Living in Phoenix, Arizona for the last thirty-six years, I never gave traveling to Santa Fe a chance. I always thought it was for retired individuals who thoroughly enjoyed art galleries and southwest cuisine. This last February, while attending the Phoenix Travel & Adventure Show, I picked up a brochure that was all-things Santa Fe.
When I got home with my treasures from that show, I sat down and read through them all. It was then that I found myself surprised by wanting to visit Santa Fe!
Santa Fe, while rich in local heritage and artisans, is a surprisingly good fit for a female solo traveler who is into well-being and adventure!
When looking at the brochure, I found white-water rafting and hot-air ballooning among lush spas and cacao tastings! I booked my travel itinerary with intention, meaning experiencing the rough-stuff-on-my body first and going from there.
My first full day was scheduled with the Santa Fe Rafting Company. What I appreciated the most up front with this company was the convenience in that they shuttle you to the put in! Their meeting point was located less than two miles from my accommodations. When I was originally online booking what I thought was going to be a full-day on the water, I was unable to submit my request on my desired date. I ended up calling them and I am so happy I did! Jared was extremely helpful! He informed me the reason I was unable to book a full-day was because they did not have one going out on my requested date. He asked if there was another date that would work and after I shared my potential trip itinerary with him, he understood why I ultimately went with the half-day Rio Grande Racecourse.
I shared with Jared that I loved that they provide transportation to the put in. I stated I had not seen that with other companies. He happened to ask me where I was staying and mentioned that they could get me a discount there. I thanked him and stated that I had already booked, prepaid, and received a different discount. He noted. that at the very least, they would give me a free hat, which I forgot all about! The final note taken before ending our conversation was that I know they provide snacks (hummus, salsa and the like) but that I have an allergy to garlic and onion. Jared assured me that wouldn’t be a problem and that something would be provided for me.
The day I arrived for my half-day Rio Grande Racecourse adventure, I checked in and as I sat down, I was told to choose a hat! Yes, the free one they noted, that I completely forgot about! It was such a delight to receive the follow-through of such a kind gesture! In addition, at the end of my time on the river, snacks were provided that I could indulge in!
Time on the river was so much FUN! The guides were gifted in knowledge of safety, paddling, the river itself, and the natural history of the environment! We experienced some Class II and Class III rapids, which gave us some THRILL! Equally, there was PLENTY of time to swim and enjoy the float! I am so grateful to have found Santa Fe Rafting Company! They made for a most JOYFUL day! I could not recommend them more! A most appreciated and personal thanks to Austin, my guide, who made this excursion a highlight of my time in Santa Fe!
As I mentioned, I created my itinerary with intention. The second day in Santa Fe, I went to Ojo Spa Resorts, Santa Fe. This was an awesome opportunity to recover from my day on the water and to experience another spa while traveling solo.
While my day was truly relaxing, this is my assessment:
You don’t go to Ojo for the food or the amenities. If you go there thinking so, you just may find yourself a bit disappointed. They have a menu for their main restaurant that looks wonderfully healthy and enticing! The truth is, the food is mediocre at best. I started my day building my own omelet. Unfortunately I had to skip the smothering of red or green sauce (which is a THING in Santa Fe!). My allergy to garlic and onion won’t allow this. To be honest, I am not sure how much of a difference this would have made. Maybe the sauce would have made all of the difference, I don’t know. I found my omelet to be dry and the hashbrowns were underdone and flavorless. The best part of my breakfast, believe it or not, was the gluten-free toast! Usually gluten-free is dry and flavorless (similar to mentioned hashbrowns). This bread happened to be soft and full of flavor! I asked if they made it in-house, it was that delicious! Before leaving for the day, I returned to the restaurant to order dinner to go. I ordered a beet and goat cheese salad and a side of sweet potato fries. I honestly don’t have a positive thing to say about either. You would think they opened a bag of spinach, dumped it in a to-go container and added a FEW (and I emphasize FEW) beets, pecans, and sprinkles of goat cheese. Hint to the wise: When a patron commits to a full day and chooses to spend their hard-earned money at your facility, and doesn’t add a protein to their salad… LOAD IT UP with the other ingredients!
In addition to the restaurant being less than desirable, the amenities were the same. Unfortunately, I forgot sunscreen. Now, maybe I am spoiled, but when I spend a day at a high-end resort in Phoenix, sunscreen is offered throughout the pool area. There were no samples or options for sunscreen anywhere. So unless you wanted to purchase it overpriced in their spa boutique, shade was your answer.
Last but not least on the negative side, I am a person who thoroughly enjoys a good steam at a spa. The steam room at Ojo had zero ambiance, looked less than clean, and did not run on a frequency I have grown accustomed to. I typically steam for several rounds, but this time it was just one. The one positive was that the eucalyptus was definitely a pure essential oil.
Aside from the restaurant and amenities, my massage was FANTASTIC, the treatment room was soothing to the eye and body, and the natural pools and grounds were DIVINE! The natural pools and grounds are the reason to invest in a day there!
The property is FULL of LUSH greenery! From someone who is green deprived living in the desert, this felt like an oasis! Native flutes and drums fill the air when entering the natural pools. The pools are as beautiful as they look on the website and the seating areas were all very unique. I spent most of my time prior to my massage in a hammock and post massage in a lounger down by the most beautiful of natural pools!
I would be amiss if I did not include the one thing I have never seen at a resort spa before! Although I was unable to make it due to the timing of the day, they offer a “puppy patch”! They have an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening where puppies are on site in hopes for adoption!!! I saw a fortunate one that was going home with its furever family and I could not feel more joy in my heart for both the puppy and the family!
My third and final full day in Santa Fe was spent with Santa Fe Balloons in the morning and Kakawa Chocolate House in the afternoon!
Santa Fe Balloons is fortunate to have Pilot, David Fuston. David starts his day at 3 am, dedicating his time and thoughts to the group he is taking out that day. Not only does David pick his passengers up at their separate accommodations, while doing so, his thoughts are on the wind direction and a host of other technicalities pilots ponder to ensure the safety and joy of the flight. One would never know this is where David’s thoughts are as he encourages passengers to ask him all sorts of questions as he makes his way to the hangar.
Upon arriving at the hangar at 5 am, where David meets his crew, David boasts with the utmost, highly respected comments floating their way. And believe me when I say, he is not just full of hot air! The crew; Bryan, Amanda, and Moses are welcoming, efficient, and hard working!
Everything the crew does from the moment we leave the hangar is fascinating. If you are like me, you never really consider how the balloon comes together or how the air and thermals are tested. To watch David and his crew is eye-opening.
Our morning was blessed with both a full-moon setting and a colorful, fiery sunrise over the mountains.
For someone who has experienced jumping out of a plane and parasailing, I was a little afraid I would be bored. I was quickly proven wrong as the flight was one of the most peaceful and serene moments I have ever experienced. As a passenger, one must know that this flight is not an adrenaline rush. It is very Zen. The world seems full of peace, as though it’s right in front of you yet untouchable at the same time. The rate at which you travel through the air feels still. You are able to take in the scenery, relax, and breathe in a way that is unparalleled to anything else.
Following our flight, there was a champagne toast, which David explained the history of. It was interesting to hear how others experienced the flight. One woman was in from Houston and planned this flight as it was a “bucket list” item for her. She shared that it was far better than she anticipated! I wanted to cry tears of joy for her as I know what it’s like to feel that deep in your soul.
Bucket list item or simply a wonder to experience, David and his crew are AMAZING!!! Albuquerque may be best known for balloons in the state of New Mexico as well as throughout the world, but I could not be happier with my flight in Santa Fe with Santa Fe Balloons! With deepest gratitude to them, thank you.
The last item I had intended as part of my itinerary was a second and very different kind of “flight”! New Mexico has a rich and ancient history with chocolate, predating the arrival of the Spanish! Having experienced cacao in its most pure form in Nicaragua, and regretting not bringing any home with me, I was truly looking forward to consuming it with Kakawa Chocolate House! This experience did not disappoint!!!
When welcoming you in, you are asked if it is your first time visiting them. The second question, and one that I could not appreciate more, was if you have any food allergies. You are then handed a sample or two of warm cacao. I skipped right over the samples and enthusiastically shared that I was ready for a flight! I chose the three Mesoamerican-region flavors offered that day as well as a Chai from the European & Contemporary category.
I approached my flight similar to a flight of wines. I started with what I believed would be the most subtle to the palette first, the Zapoteca. From there, I went with Chai and finished it up with the Chili and then Rose Almond, which was “peppered” with some chili! Honoring what I learned at the cacao ceremony in Nicaragua, I savored every sip, even closing my eyes and letting it gently roll over my tongue, lips and taste buds. Between the divine flavors, the laid-back vibe of the place, and some conversation I indulged in with both locals and tourists, my two-hour experience was on another level! Cacao is a lift unlike caffeine in coffee (which I cannot do–I become a kangaroo in a rubber room!...) or even green tea and matcha. My spirit was feeling just as free as when I was in Nicaragua. Now!... I am one who is fully connected in mind and body, so not everyone would describe experiencing cacao in the same way. But for me, Kakawa Chocolate House provided a sweet, gentle “high".
Because I refused to feel the same regret I did when not purchasing cacao from Nicaragua. I left with two bags; one Chili and one Rose Almond. I truly look forward to creating my own ceremony around them and certainly won’t be surprised if they become a recurring purchase for me.
The most valuable take away for me from this trip was this: Santa Fe is not just for retirees that love art galleries and artisan fairs. Santa Fe is also for the female, Solo Traveler, who enjoys well-being and adventure. If one were to choose to add in art galleries, artisan fairs, and southwestern cuisine, then Santa Fe will be a most well-rounded, easy and joyful experience!
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Suggested items for this trip:
dry bag:
This bag has been the envy of people I have met while whale watching in La Jolla and hiking the jungle in Nicaragua. People have asked me about it simply sitting in a lounge chair by a pool. It is EASY to fold and store in a carry-on and keeps everything dry from my passport to headphones as well as book pages! I don’t worry about traveling solo on beaches or anywhere there is water because it acts like a backpack and therefore can go with me in the water and while I walk on the sand! This was with me on all of my Santa Fe excursions; white-water rafting, Ojo spa, hot-air ballooning and yes, even cacao tasting! It also made for a great grocery bag as I could not take the chance (being allergic to garlic and onion) with Santa Fe cuisine.
Chacos:
This shoe has lasted THIRTEEN YEARS!!! It has been to multiple countries and continents! It is the ONE SHOE I brought with me and wore for THIRTY DAYS in Africa through dry and RAIN! It has been my kayaking shoes in multiple states, which means it has been in several bodies of water, including; lakes, streams, and oceans! The soul is guaranteed for life! There is NOTHING I can say that is more convincing!!! It would go without saying that this was my shoe for white-water rafting in Santa Fe!
Rescue Remedy:
This is a MUST HAVE! I take it on EVERY trip! It takes up little to no room in your liquids/carry on!
There is no other go-to for me when it comes to bug bites, burns and scrapes! So whether I am hiking in the jungle in Nicaragua, Hawaii, or the mountains in Colorado or Arizona… this item is ALWAYS with me! And of course it came to Santa Fe! This time it came in handy for the reaction I had to athletic tape! I had taped my shoulder for extra support while paddling the Rio Grande Racecourse!
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