While downstream cities like Laredo, Hidalgo, Progresso, and Brownsville have thrived from the increased trade and traffic with Mexico.  They have also dealt with the problems of increased traffic and population explosions.  Del Rio, on the other hand continues to be the playground for visitors from San Angelo, San Antonio, and bass fisherman from across the country.

There are two reasons to visit Del Rio: Lake Amistad and Ciudad Acuña (one of the more entertaining of our Southern Neighbor’s border towns.  These two sites draw thousands to Del Rio every year for recreation, drinking, eating, dancing and general debauchery

Amistad

Lake Amistad, formally known as the International Amistad Reservoir, is a joint water management project between the United States and Mexico. In 1969 the two countries dammed up the Rio Grande River (called Rio Bravo in Mexico) and the Devil’s River. The name Amistad was chosen because in Spanish it means friendship. The international border splits the lake in half along the submerged route of the river and is marked by border buoys.

The American side is a National Recreation Area and is managed by the National Park system and requires special boating permits. Additional Mexican permits are required if you plan on boating across the lakes international border. Amistad is the second largest lake in Texas and offers a variety of boating conditions. The Rio Grand River offers large open water for sailing and cruising by the ever present fleet of rental houseboats that make the lake home. The Devil’s river portion of the lake offers more protected waters with secluded coves and swimming holes.

Prehistoric rock art can be explored either by boat or by foot with a visit to the nearby Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site. Panther and Parida Caves are the hosts of these unusual and mysterious drawings. They are located at the upper reaches of the lake.

Bass fishermen are drawn to the desert by the prolific fishery created within the lake. Amistad’s warm green water, dramatic limestone rock formations and great variety of water conditions combined with a diligent fish management effort by the state, have produced one of the top bass lakes in the country. Catches of monster bass weighing in double digits is common.

Ciudad Acuña

Essentially, there are three groups that frequent Acuña: shoppers, eaters, and partiers. The shoppers venture over during the day for deals on cheaply made pottery, clothes, curios and leather goods or to fill their pharmaceutical prescriptions. The early evening belongs to the diners and light drinkers. Late evening brings out the serious partiers that will drink and dance well into the night.

The town itself makes no effort to hide its primary economy. When you cross the bridge and venture down Calle Hidalgo (the main street) you have the sense of stepping into a mini Las Vegas. The streets are covered with neon and flashing signs which often extend across the tiny thoroughfare. Both sides of the street are lined with small shops, restaurants, and not so small bars and night clubs. This is the entertainment center of the lower Pecos River basin.

Acuña attracts visitors from hundreds of miles around for dinner, shopping and weekend blowouts. It does a great job of giving visitors what they come for without pretending to be something more or delivering less. It is cheap fun with good food and lots of alcohol and music.

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