An undiscovered gem among Texas border towns, Del Rio features tree-lined streets and beautiful architecture. Tournament-quality fishing, bird watching and prehistoric petroglyphs are just a few of the reasons people are drawn to Del Rio. It's becoming more popular as a destination for Winter Texans (those who live in Texas during the winter months).

Cuidad Acu¤a is across the International Bridge and considered to be one of the more tourist-friendly border towns in Mexico. Calle Hidalgo is the main avenue for shopping, restaurants and clubs. Its sidewalks are doublewide to accommodate crowds. Acuna is easily accessible from Del Rio by bus or taxi. You can even park along the border and catch a bus into the city.

Lake Amistad, known for its bass fishing, is part of the Amistad Recreation Area and host to several fishing tournaments a year. Surrounded by canyons, the man-made 67,000-acre lake is fed by three rivers and is remarkably clear. The lake and recreation area is on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border. Scuba diving is one of the many water sports available.

Some of the area's prehistoric petroglyphs (cave drawings) can only be seen by boat from the waters of Lake Amistad. Panther Cave is home to the most famous of these. Forty-five miles west of Del Rio, hundreds of Native American rock-art sites are in Seminole State Park and Historic Site. Trails and tours lead to the major site, Fate Bell Shelter.

Laguna del Plata is 70 acres set aside for bird watching. Over 300 species are in the Del Rio area, including the occasional eagle. For the wine tourist, Val Verde Winery is open daily for tastings and tours.

You can reach Del Rio by U.S. Highway 90 from the east/west and by Highway 277 from the north.