You’re standing at the edge of Val Verde County, looking at the Rio Grande. It’s not a massive, roaring river here; honestly, in some spots, it looks like a creek you could wade across. But don't do that. Crossing from Del Rio Texas to Mexico is a specific experience that catches people off guard if they’re expecting the chaotic, multi-hour nightmares of El Paso or Laredo. Del Rio is different. It’s quieter. It’s more personal. It’s also where the landscape of South Texas starts to get rugged and beautiful, transitioning from flat scrubland into the limestone canyons of the Amistad National Recreation Area.
People come here for all sorts of reasons. Some are looking for cheap dental work in Ciudad Acuña. Others want a shot of tequila at Ma Crosby’s because they heard it’s where the Margarita was invented (a claim every border town makes, but Acuña wears it well). Whatever your reason, the transition from the U.S. side to the Mexican side involves more than just a bridge. It involves a shift in mindset.
The Reality of the Del Rio-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge
Most folks just call it the Del Rio bridge. It connects U.S. Route 277 to Mexico’s Federal Highway 2. If you’re driving, you’ll pay a small toll—currently a few bucks for a standard passenger vehicle—and then you’re on your way. It’s fast. Usually.
Except when it isn't.
If you show up on a Friday afternoon when everyone is heading south for the weekend, you’re going to sit. The heat in this part of Texas is no joke. We’re talking 105 degrees in July with humidity that feels like a wet wool blanket. If your A/C is spotty, stay in Del Rio.
One thing that trips up first-timers is the "Sentri" or "Ready" lanes. If you don't have the right documents, don't get in those lanes just because they look shorter. You’ll get a hefty fine and a very grumpy Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. Stick to the general traffic lanes. It’s safer for your wallet.
Walking vs. Driving
Honestly? If you’re just going for lunch or a quick shopping trip to the "Hidalgo" street area, just walk. There’s a parking lot on the U.S. side near the bridge entrance. You pay a couple of dollars to leave your car in a fenced area, and then you just stroll across.
Walking gives you a better view of the river. You see the massive dam system. You see the birds. You also avoid the nightmare of Mexican car insurance, which you absolutely must have if you drive across. Your Texas policy does not work the moment you cross that invisible line in the middle of the bridge. If you get into a fender bender in Acuña without Mexican insurance, you’re not just looking at a ticket. You’re looking at a potential stay in a Mexican jail until the damages are paid. It’s not worth the risk. Buy a policy online for $20 before you go.
Ciudad Acuña: More Than Just a Border Town
Once you’re across, you’re in Ciudad Acuña. It’s a city of about 150,000 people. It’s a manufacturing hub, full of maquiladoras, but the downtown area—the Centro—retains that classic border charm.
You’ve gotta go to Ma Crosby’s. It’s legendary. It feels like stepping back into the 1940s. The walls are covered in photos of famous people who have passed through, and the atmosphere is thick with history. Order the food, sure, but you’re there for the drinks and the vibe.
Is it safe?
This is the question everyone asks. Look, the U.S. State Department often has travel advisories for Coahuila. They’ll tell you to reconsider travel due to crime. But here’s the nuance: most of that crime is targeted. If you’re not involved in the "business," and you stay in the tourist areas during daylight hours, you’re generally fine.
Common sense is your best friend.
- Don't wear flashy jewelry.
- Don't carry a wad of cash.
- Don't go looking for trouble in the residential colonias at 2:00 AM.
The people in Acuña are incredibly friendly. They rely on tourism. They want you to have a good time and come back. If you treat people with respect and use your "polite" Spanish (even if it's just gracias and por favor), you’ll find that the hospitality is top-tier.
Navigating the Paperwork: Don't Forget Your Passport
You used to be able to cross with just a driver's license. Those days are long gone. You need a passport or a passport card to get back into the U.S.
- U.S. Citizens: Passport, Passport Card, or SENTRI card.
- Permanent Residents: Green card.
- Foreign Nationals: Valid visa and passport.
If you’re planning on traveling further than 12 miles into Mexico (like heading down to Saltillo or Monterrey), you need a FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple). You can get this at the immigration office right at the bridge. If you’re just staying in Acuña for the day, you don't strictly need it, but it’s always better to have your paperwork squared away.
And let’s talk about the return trip. The line to get back into Del Rio can be long. On Sunday evenings, it can be a two-hour wait. Use the CBP Border Wait Times app. It’s surprisingly accurate. It saves you from sitting in a line of idling cars while the sun beats down on your hood.
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The "Secret" Spots Around Del Rio
Before or after your Mexico trip, you have to check out the water. Del Rio is an oasis. I’m not exaggerating.
The San Felipe Springs pump out millions of gallons of fresh water every day. It’s crystal clear and cold. Even when it’s 110 degrees outside, that water is a constant 72 degrees. It’s life-saving. You can swim at San Felipe Park or Lions Park. It’s where the locals hang out, grilling fajitas and letting the kids splash around.
Then there’s Lake Amistad. It’s a massive reservoir shared by the U.S. and Mexico. The name Amistad means friendship, which is a nice sentiment for a border lake. The fishing here is world-class. Bass hunters come from all over the country to fish these waters. The limestone cliffs rising out of the blue water look more like something you’d see in the Mediterranean than in the middle of a Texas desert.
What about the "Migrant Situation"?
You see it in the news. Sometimes the bridge gets shut down. In 2021, there was a massive influx of migrants under the bridge that made international headlines. Today, the situation is much more controlled, but there is still a heavy presence of Border Patrol and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers.
You will see them everywhere. They are at the gas stations, the hotels, and lining the highways. It shouldn't affect your travel much, but expect to go through an interior checkpoint if you drive north toward San Antonio or west toward El Paso. They’ll just ask if you’re a U.S. citizen. Be honest, be quick, and you’ll be on your way.
Practical Logistics for a Smooth Crossing
Don't bring firearms. Seriously. This is the biggest mistake Texans make. You might have a CHL/LTC, but that stops at the border. Bringing a single bullet into Mexico can land you in a federal prison. Check your glove box. Check your center console. If you have a stray round of .9mm rolling around, leave it at home.
Money matters: Most shops in Acuña take U.S. dollars. They’ll give you a decent exchange rate, though not as good as a bank. If you’re buying a lot of stuff, go to a casa de cambio in Del Rio before you cross to get some pesos. You'll save a few bucks in the long run.
Prescriptions: A lot of people go to Acuña for medication. It’s cheaper. But be careful. You need a valid U.S. prescription to bring most things back across. If you try to bring back controlled substances without a script, CBP will seize them, and you might get a fine or worse. Stick to the basics: antibiotics, blood pressure meds, or things that are clearly over-the-counter in both countries.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your trip from Del Rio Texas to Mexico, follow this sequence. It’s the most efficient way to handle the border without losing your mind.
- Check the Bridge Status: Use the CBP Border Wait Times website or app before you even leave your hotel in Del Rio. If the wait is over an hour, grab a coffee and wait it out.
- Park and Walk: Unless you have a specific reason to drive (like picking up heavy furniture), park on the U.S. side. The walk over the Rio Grande is part of the experience.
- Validate Your Documents: Ensure your passport hasn't expired. It sounds silly, but it happens all the time.
- Cash is King: Carry small bills ($1, $5, $10). It makes tipping and buying street tacos much easier.
- Declare Everything: When you come back, tell the CBP officer what you bought. If you have vanilla, leather goods, or a bottle of tequila, just say it. They usually don't care about the small stuff, but they do care if you lie about it.
- Insurance: If you do choose to drive, buy Mexican auto insurance online through a reputable provider like Sanborn's or Bajabound before you hit the bridge.
The Del Rio border is a unique intersection of cultures. It's rugged, it's hot, and it's deeply rooted in the history of the Rio Grande valley. Whether you're there for the history at Ma Crosby's or the bass fishing at Lake Amistad, the crossing is a gateway to a side of Mexico that feels far removed from the polished resorts of Cancun. It’s authentic. It’s the real border. Enjoy it for what it is.