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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis
Spend one day in Clovis to see the zoo, Blackwater Draw museum and a recording studio; overnight only if you need a rest before a road trip.
Clovis is a small eastern‑New‑Mexico town on US‑60/70, known for the Clovis archaeological site and a modest zoo. Its attractions fit in a half‑day, but a night in a budget hotel lets you rest before heading to nearby Roswell or Amarillo.
- Country
- United States
- Local name
- Clovis
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, occasional monsoon)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $45–70 excl. bed · Mid $70–110 excl. bed · High $110+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | $2–4 |
| Taco Box taco | $2–3 |
| Beer (draft, bar) | $4–6 |
| C.A.T.S bus ride | $0.50 |
| Zoo entry | $5–7 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CVN · Clovis Municipal Airport
- Denver Air Connection, 6 days/week non‑stop to Denver
Typical fares
- Clovis Airport → Denver (Denver Air Connection)
- about $150 one‑way, 6 days/week (check)
- C.A.T.S bus ride
- $0.50 per ride within city limits
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
C.A.T.S city bus costs $0.50 per ride (no service Sunday). No taxis; most sites are walkable or a short drive.
See and do
Known for
- Blackwater Draw archaeological site
- Hillcrest Park & Zoo
- Norman Petty Recording Studios
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hillcrest Park & Zoo | Drive 5 min east on US‑60; free parking | ≈15 min total |
| Blackwater Draw Museum | Drive 12 mi south on US‑70; 5 min walk from parking | ≈30 min total |
| Norman Petty Recording Studios | Drive 1 mi south on 7th St; free street parking | ≈10 min total |
Sleep
- Super 8 by Wyndham Clovis
- Basic rooms, free Wi‑Fi, near highway
- Econo Lodge
- Indoor pool, warm breakfast, central location
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑koo‑lpe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑toh kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus runs only Mon‑Sat; plan around the $0.50 fare schedule.
- Summer heat can exceed 35 °C; carry water.
Clovis is a typical small US town; crime is low but keep valuables secure, especially at night.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Clovis, New Mexico yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Blackwater Draw archaeological site
- Hillcrest Park & Zoo
- Norman Petty Recording Studios
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- City of Clovis – Zoo: www.cityofclovis.org/solutions/zoo/
- Blackwater Draw Museum: www.bwdarchaeology.com/
- Wikivoyage: Clovis (New Mexico), revision 5243610 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5243610
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Clovis, New MexicoClovis
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US consulate in Albuquerque (check address); other countries use the embassy in Santa Fe.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/clovis-new-mexico). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.