Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
The semitropical southern border area of Texas is much wetter than the arid west, thanks to
the moisture-laden winds off the Gulf of Mexico. This lush environment is perfect for
farming; much of the winter produce sold in the USA comes from Texas.
The temperate winter climate attracts hordes of migratory creatures. A breed known as
'Winter Texans' - American retirees from the north - arrives in flocks, as do more than 500
species of birds, who in turn attract flocks of bird-watchers to scores of natural spots.
The valley begins at the mouth of the Rio Grande, which meets the gulf in vast palm-
studded wetlands, lagoons and remote beaches.
Further west in the valley, most of the land is given over to farming. In the lands west of
McAllen, the gulf winds diminish and the land becomes more arid and unpopulated.
DAY TRIPS TO MEXICO: SHOULD YOU VISIT?
Time was when no visit to the Rio Grande Valley was complete without a jaunt across the border into a Mexican
town such as Nuevo Laredo, which is twinned with Laredo on the US side. Good and cheap Mexican food (and
tequila), mariachis, cheap tatty souvenirs as well as cut-rate dental work and prescription drugs were just some of
the lures. Plus there was the thrill of entering a dramatically different culture, just by strolling across a bridge span-
ning the Rio Grande.
But several years of lurid headlines outlining the carnage of Mexico's drug wars have put a big question mark
over border-town day trips. Although tourists are not targets, fear of getting caught up in the violence is a real con-
cern. Meanwhile, businesses that have delighted generations of Americans (or simply sold them cheap pharmaceut-
icals) have suffered greatly.
Should you visit? The best answer is to ask locally on the Texas side of the border; conditions change constantly.
No matter what, you'll probably be safest by going during the day. You can also check with the US State Depart-
ment (
http://travel.state.gov
) for travel advisories. While on the other side, look out for images of La Sante Muerte
(Holy Death), an iconic figure of a skeleton with a scythe dressed in robes. It's the symbol of a fast-growing reli-
gious cult popular with Mexican gangs.
History
The Laredo border area was sparsely populated with nomadic Native American groups un-
til Don Tomás Sánchez, a captain in the Spanish royal army, was given a grant of land here
in 1775.
The first non-Indian settlers were ranchers, and missionaries passed through the area,
heading into the interior of Texas.
