Betty’s Bath & Day Spa (1835 Candelaria Rd. NW, 505/341-3456) is the place to get pampered, whether with a massage and a facial or with an extended dip in one of two outdoor communal hot tubs, one co-ed and one for women only and both with access to dry saunas and cold plunges—a bargain at just $11. Private reservations are available most evenings.
Also look out for The Albuquerque Baths (1218 Broadway NE), set to open last we checked—in a handy location near downtown, the place was planned as a casual, not-at-all-ritzy escape, complete with hot tubs, saunas, and massage space.
Beat the heat at the Rio Grande Pool (1410 Iron Ave. SW, 505/848-1397, noon–5 p.m. daily, $2.25), one of Albuquerque’s nicest places to take a dip; the outdoor 25-meter pool is shaded by giant cottonwoods.