Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute registration fee structure?

To offer greater flexibility and customization, registration for 2026 introduces a new, tiered pricing structure that allows participants to design a weekend experience that best matches their interests.

Required base weekend fee ($500): The SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute base weekend fee of $500 is required for all weekend participants. This cost covers Thursday’s lagniappe session and evening reception; breakfasts and lunches on Friday and Saturday; Saturday evening’s concert followed by dinner and dancing; and Sunday breakfast. All Cultural Institute participants will pay this base fee. Guests who choose not to participate in courses but are accompanying registered class participants simply need to select this base fee option.

Course fees ($250/course): Each one-day course is $250, with most participants selecting two courses to complete their weekend experience. Each course registration fee includes course instruction, any field trip entry fees, material costs, transportation to course activities on Friday or Saturday, and any designated off-site meals.

Note: Class sizes are limited to allow for in-depth discussion and individual attention from course instructors.

Where is the guest option?

New for 2026: The guest option is now called the base weekend fee, which is $500. Refer to the base weekend fee section above for more information. Select base weekend fee during registration to participate with a guest-only option.

Wednesday add-ons are new this year. What do I need to know?

Enhance your SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute experience with optional add-on sessions based in Santa Fe on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Participants may choose from two experiences: Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project: A Walking Tour Through Time or Santa Fe Opera: The Magic Flute.

Both add-on experiences are based at La Fonda on the Plaza in historic Santa Fe. A special room block is available by contacting the hotel at 505-954-3500 and using rate code 1162471 before Monday, June 15, 2026. We recommend staying in Santa Fe on Wednesday evening before heading to Taos for Thursday afternoon’s Cultural Institute activities.

Refer to the Wednesday add-ons page for additional information about this year’s optional Wednesday offerings.

Note: The timing for these Wednesday experiences overlaps, so participants may only choose one. Space is extremely limited, and waitlists are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Are the Wednesday add-ons included in my SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute registration fee?

No, the Wednesday add-on activities are not included in your SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute registration fee. They are separate from the normal weekend activities.

Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project: A Walking Tour Through Time
Add-on course fee: $100
Includes round-trip transportation between La Fonda on the Plaza hotel in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, lecture and lunch.

Santa Fe Opera: The Magic Flute
Add-on course fee: $250
Includes exclusive pre-opera lecture, lunch, round-trip transportation from the La Fonda on the Plaza hotel to the Santa Fe Opera on Wednesday evening, and one opera ticket located on the main floor back center.
Note: Dinner is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

For cancellations before June 8, 2026, a handling fee of $100 will be withheld from your registration fee and the balance will be refunded to you. Refunds will not be permitted after June 8, 2026. If you need to cancel after this date, we will be unable to hold or transfer your registration to a future year.

If you cancel your hotel reservation, please contact Briana Frazier at 214-768-4575 to ensure that we know your plans have changed.

SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute reserves the right to cancel a course should fewer than the recommended number of participants register. In that case, registrants would be given the opportunity to participate in their second choice or receive a refund.

Where should I stay in Taos?

SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute’s host hotel is El Monte Sagrado. To make a reservation, book online or contact the hotel directly at 505-836-6700. For a discount, provide the reservations team with the SMU rate code 2607SMUCI.

Note: To receive the SMU rate, you must book before June 15, 2026.

Participants in the SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute are responsible for making their own arrangements for lodging during the weekend. Once your arrangements are made, please email us at taosci@smu.edu to let us know your travel plans so we may best accommodate you throughout the weekend.

Because July is one of the busiest times in Taos, you are encouraged to make these arrangements as soon as possible. Review a list of Taos lodging options.

I am attending one of the Wednesday add-on experiences. Where should I stay in Santa Fe?

The SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute host hotel for Wednesday’s optional experiences in Santa Fe is La Fonda on the Plaza. To make a reservation, contact the hotel directly at 505-954-3500. For a discount, provide the reservations team with the SMU rate code 1162471. You may also reserve a room online by following the special reservations link at smu.edu/ci.

Note: To receive the SMU rate, please book before Monday, June 15, 2026.

How do I get to Taos?

Dallas to Santa Fe: American Airlines has a direct flight from DFW to Santa Fe Regional Airport. From Santa Fe you will need to rent a car and drive to Taos (about a 1.5 hour drive).

Dallas to Albuquerque: Fly American from DFW or Southwest from Love Field into Albuquerque International Sunport, where you may rent a car or take a shuttle into Taos (about a 2.5 hour drive).

Driving: If you choose to drive from Dallas to Taos, plan on approximately 11-12 hours.

Download maps of the drive from Albuquerque to Taos or Dallas to Taos, including driving directions and landmarks along the way.

What is the weather in Taos like in July?

The weather in Taos in July is (typically) delightful. While daytime highs are usually in the mid- to high-80s, evenings and early mornings are cool, with lows in the low- to mid-50s. Days are mostly sunny, although late afternoon showers are common. View the current Taos forecast.

What should I bring to wear?

Dress is very casual during the day and nice casual at night. Dress in layers to accommodate temperature changes. Comfortable walking shoes are suggested. And because the sun is more intense at higher altitudes, sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended.

What is the elevation of Taos?

The Taos area is at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level. Some field trips will include walking trails and climbing moderate inclines at this altitude.

I have dietary and/or mobility restrictions. Who should I contact?

If you have dietary and/or mobility restrictions, please indicate this as part of your registration or contact SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute or call 214-768-TAOS (8267).

I have more questions. Who should I contact?

Contact SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute or call 214-768-TAOS (8267).