Things to Do in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico
Ginger Yapp, Leaf Group Updated February 05, 2018
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Ciudad Acuna, Mexico – sometimes called Las Vacas – sits along the Mexico-United States border near Texas in the state of Coahuila. Known for its cameo in director Robert Rodriguez' 1992 sleeper hit "El Mariachi," the sleepy border town attracts people from Mexico and the United States to its natural beauty and quaint restaurants, though in recent years, fear of the drug cartels has slowed the city's flow of visitors.
Parque Nacional de los Novillos
One of the nicest things about Acuna is its scenery, especially relative to other towns along the border. At Parque Nacional de los Novillos – found near the Sierra Madre Oriental – you will see the towering Mexico Plateau and hundreds of native trees and flowers. As many of the park's ponds and creeks have mostly dried up, you can spot many cactus varieties. However, on hot days, people still enjoy taking a dip in the remaining bodies of water there; other common activities include hiking and picnicking.
Alamo Village Movie Set
Another Acuna attraction is the Alamo Village movie set. Built in the 1959 for a John Wayne flick, "The Alamo"; the ornate set has been featured in countless movies and television shows since. Today, when it is not being occupied by a movie crew, it is open to tourists who want to stroll through a old-time western set; sometimes, the set will hold western-themed shows. Other attractions open seasonally are the set's gift shop and restaurant.
Walk the Main Plaza
Ciudad Acuna was designed around its central plaza and cathedral; the plaza continues to be the main social gathering place for residents and tourists alike. While visiting the plaza, you'll be able to buy wares from local artisans, watch the street performers and sample authentic Mexican dishes at the restaurants around the square. You won't want to miss the historic, iconic Ma Crosby's a bar known for its margaritas and mariachi music; it has been a staple of Acuna since the 1920s.
Dance at the Corona Club
Rodriguez featured Ciudad Acuna's Corona Club – a popular nightclub and dancehall – in "El Mariachi" as well as his 1995 film starring Antonio Banderas, "Desperado." The brightly decorated club has a fully stocked bar with top-shelf tequilas and a wide selection of foreign and domestic beers. The Corona Club often features concerts at its 1,500-capacity venue; you'll hear rock, mariachi, blues and country bands perform here.
"Mexico and the United States"; Lee Stacey; 2002
"Fifty Years of Change on the U.S.-Mexico Border"; Joan B. Anderson, et. al.; 2006
My San Antonio; Fear of Violence Hurts Acuna Business; Vianna Davila; June 28, 2011
Texas Tripper: Cuidad Acuna
Zona Turistica: PARQUE NACIONAL LOS NOVILLOS
"The Rough Guide to Mexico": John Fisher, Daniel Jacobs, Stephen Keeling
Ginger Yapp has been writing professionally since 2006, specializing in travel and film topics. Her work has appeared in such publications as "USA Today" and online at Hotels.com. Yapp also has experience writing and editing for a small California newspaper. She earned her B.A. in film and media studies and has worked as an ESL teacher at an international school.
Yapp, Ginger. "Things to Do in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/things-ciudad-acuna-mexico-63723.html. 05 February 2018.
Yapp, Ginger. (2018, February 05). Things to Do in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Travel Tips - USA Today. Retrieved from https://traveltips.usatoday.com/things-ciudad-acuna-mexico-63723.html
Yapp, Ginger. "Things to Do in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico" last modified February 05, 2018. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/things-ciudad-acuna-mexico-63723.html
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