The Elite category competitions kicked off in Santa Cruz Bay, Huatulco, marking the start of the Grand Final of the 2026 PanAm Aquatics Open Water Swimming Series, held alongside the sixth edition of Gran Retto Huatulco. This major sporting event puts our destination on the continental open-water swimming stage.
More than 2,200 swimmers from Mexico and abroad will take part in this sporting event, which is expected to bring together approximately 8,000 people and generate an estimated 75 million pesos in economic activity. It will boost the hotel, restaurant, retail, and service sectors during October, which is considered the low season for our destination.
Huatulco’s selection as the host of international competitions of this scale is no coincidence. The beauty of our bays and the quality of their waters are complemented by the management, investment, and organizational efforts of the Municipal Government of Santa María Huatulco, headed by Engineer Julio Cárdenas. In coordination with the organizers and with the participation of the Tourism, Civil Protection, Public Safety, and medical services departments, these efforts help ensure the competitions are conducted safely.
With activities taking place in Santa Cruz and Chahué bays, Huatulco is strengthening its presence in international sports tourism, generating economic activity and new opportunities for families who depend on tourism.
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