Zapata offers lakefront living on the U.S.-Mexico border
Zapata is a community on the U.S.-Mexico border, centered around a reservoir on the Rio Grande. While bass fishing and hang gliding are popular pastimes, it also has a unique blend of culture, with a Latino population comprising over 90% of its 4,800 residents. Historically, Zapata County played a vital role in the Texas Revolution, the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Today, Zapata offers a small-town atmosphere, with generational properties in the rural flats of South Texas. "Zapata has a rich culture and close-knit, family-oriented vibes," says Lisedna Mendoza, a real estate broker at Cornerstone Real Estate Group, born and raised in Zapata. "Everyone knows everyone, and the community comes together to help each other in times of need. It's like a big family."
Spanish Revivals with palm trees and wide-open views
Different species of palm trees line the main roads, and local landmarks are visible for miles below the wide-open sky. Zapata features Spanish Revival and ranch-style homes, many with stucco or brick exteriors. Communities by the reservoir, like Falcon Mesa and Siesta Shores, have sandy lots, mobile home lodging and dry marshland flora. Pricing data is limited, and only one listing sold in 2024. However, home prices typically range from $90,000 to $400,000. The median sale price is $133,000. "We don't see a huge fluctuation because families retain their properties through multiple generations," Mendoza says. "The cost of living is below the national average, and people are keeping their homes."
Schools have bilingual learning and dual enrollment
Zapata North Elementary School earns a C-plus grade from Niche, with a bilingual language program focusing on English. Zapata Middle School has a C and emphasizes student development through personalized instruction. Zapata High School receives a B-minus. It offers dual enrollment courses, a JROTC program and a football team. "We're big on high school football. It's Friday night lights," Mendoza says. "Parents support the youth, and our girls' teams are great too."
Largemouth bass draw fishermen to Falcon International Reservoir
Aside from the Falcon International Reservoir, one of the green spaces is Romeo T. Flores Memorial Park, which has a public swimming pool, a basketball court and baseball diamonds. The Falcon Lake County Park is on a shoreline with rocky banks and a boat launch. It is also stocked with largemouth bass, making it a hotspot for fishing. Several competitions occur on the water, such as the Starr Bass Reunion and the API Fishing tournaments. "The Falcon International Reservoir is a world-renowned destination for water sports and fishing," Mendoza says. "We have a great outdoor lifestyle. We have also set world records for hang gliding." Due to the desert air and the Gulf wind, hang gliding enthusiasts set a record in 2012, flying over 470 miles from Zapata to Lorenzo in an 11-hour flight that ended in North Texas.
Summer heat waves bring average temperatures around 98°F in August, frequently reaching triple digits due to the humid climate. Zapata County occasionally has wildfires, including a brush fire in 2023. However, wildfires are manageable because of the area's low population density and sparse forests. Water levels in the Falcon International Reservoir can decrease, particularly during hot summers and drought conditions.
Mexican restaurants like El Rincon De Los Angeles
While it does not have a traditional downtown, Zapata features Mexican eateries and locally owned markets along U.S. Highway 83. Its most popular restaurant is El Rincon De Los Angeles, which serves Tex-Mex dishes in a Spanish-style warehouse. Z Wings is a modern sports bar with neon signs and framed Dallas Cowboys jerseys. Residents can pick up groceries at Lowe's Mercado or D & E Foodcraft, along US-83.
Highways connect South Texas cities and reach Corpus Christi
The Valley Metro Zapata Express bus route connects Zapata to Downtown Laredo on weekdays. Laredo is about 50 miles north on US-83, and Corpus Christi is about 160 miles northeast on state Route 16. The Laredo International Airport is approximately 50 miles north, with direct passenger flights to Dallas, Houston and Mexico City.
