Readers recommend

New Mexico: On tour

Aventura Artistica, 1442 Camino Del Mar, Suite 216, Del Mar, CA 92014; (800) 808-7352, www.newmexicotours.com. “Nicely paced tours with small, congenial groups. Owner Christy Rojas shared cultural and natural wonders of her New Mexico homeland on the ‘Exactly What I Needed Tour’ for women. Visited museums; attended performance at Santa Fe Opera; shopped in Santa Fe, Taos and Santa Ana.” Tours from $1,000 to $1,400 per person, double occupancy.

Elaine Wilder

Huntington Beach

Hawaii: Budget digs

Hilo Bay Hostel, 101 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo 96720; (808) 933-2771, fax (808) 935-

1183, www.hawaiihostel.net. “This new hostel -- it just opened in February -- has a downtown location near the bus station. Good beds and clean showers. Also, fast Internet access, free coffee, friendly manager. Volcano tours available.” Dorm beds $18 per night; private rooms start at $38.

Pat Mulligan

Tustin

Send recommendations to “Readers Recommend”/Travel, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; fax (213) 237-7355, e-mail travel@la

times.com. Please include your name, address and phone number, and also the address, phone number and Internet site of the place or person you are recommending.