At least five Mexican border cities have flourishing boys towns, and though some have been moved away from central tourist districts, they remain popular attractions for businessmen, hunters and teen-agers.
The half-dozen bars, most only a few years old and well-appointed, are clustered on a small hill along a gravel road south of town. Smaller and older brothels cater to Mexican clients. Every week a doctor checks them. Herbert H. Ortega of El Paso, executive director of the U. He credits education efforts by the association and other groups, such as the Pan-American Health Organization that he leads. Acuna health officials last week cited some prostitutes for not having health certificates and checked them for disease.
Men visiting boys towns say many prostitutes require condoms. Some say the threat of disease limits them to looking. The agent, who did not want to be identified, said he was there only to drink and look. Until the early s, boys town was near the center of Acuna, a city of about , After residents complained about the noise, the district was moved out of town and the party atmosphere subsided.
Prostitutes come from all over Mexico to earn money at the brothels. The prostitutes shy away from discussing their personal lives. Rosalinda, 26, said in her six months in Acuna she has had sex with thousands of men.
