From October 9 to 11, the bays of Santa Cruz, Chahué and Maguey hosted a major sporting celebration with the sixth edition of Gran Retto #Huatulco 2026, which brought together more than 2,800 competitors from Mexico and abroad, along with their families, coaches and technical teams. Huatulco also hosted the fifth and final stop of the PanAm Aquatics Open Water Swimming Series, further establishing itself as a venue for high-level open water competitions.
Over three days, events were held over 10 kilometers, 500 meters, 1.5 kilometers, Knock Out, 3 kilometers and 7 kilometers, with athletes of different ages and people with disabilities taking part. The 10K event also determined qualifying spots for the Mexican National Open Water Swimming Team and a chance to advance toward upcoming national and international competitions. The event concluded with the awards ceremony and closing celebrations, recognizing the effort, discipline and talent of the participants.
Beyond sports, Gran Retto provided a significant boost to Huatulco’s economy: the economic impact is estimated at more than 75 million pesos, directly benefiting hotels, restaurants, businesses, transport providers, tourism service providers and families who depend on this activity, particularly during a season considered to have lower tourist numbers.
The Municipal Government of Santa María Huatulco, headed by Eng. Julio Cárdenas, supported the event by coordinating with the organizers. We will continue to support national and international sporting events that showcase Huatulco, strengthen tourism and generate benefits for our community.
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