XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 takes place April 18–19, 2026 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, with race headquarters at Combate Beach. As an official stop on the XTERRA World Tour, the weekend features off-road triathlon and trail running events set against the region’s coastal terrain. The race offers a $7,500 professional prize purse, along with 56 qualifying slots to the XTERRA World Championship triathlon and 58 slots to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, making it a key Caribbean qualifier for elite and age-group athletes.
XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 – Where Off-Road Endurance Meets Caribbean Terrain
XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 returns in March 2026 to the rugged southwest coast of Puerto Rico, with race headquarters traditionally set near Combate Beach in Cabo Rojo. Known as one of the most scenic and challenging stops on the XTERRA circuit, this off-road triathlon blends open-water swimming, technical mountain biking, and trail running against a dramatic coastal backdrop.
Unlike road-based triathlons, XTERRA Puerto Rico pushes athletes across varied natural terrain. The swim typically unfolds in calm Caribbean waters, while the bike course navigates dirt tracks, loose gravel, and rolling hills through the region’s dry forest landscape. The trail run adds another layer of intensity, often winding through uneven paths with panoramic ocean views that reward competitors mid-effort.
What makes this event stand out is its setting. Cabo Rojo’s combination of turquoise shoreline, red cliffs, and arid coastal terrain creates a race environment that feels both raw and cinematic. Athletes travel not just for competition but for the experience of racing in one of the Caribbean’s most distinctive ecosystems.
For participants and spectators alike, XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 delivers more than endurance sport – it offers an immersive adventure weekend where performance meets landscape, and the island becomes part of the challenge itself.
Cabo Rojo – The Rugged Coastal Stage for XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026
The XTERRA event is officially set for April 18-19, 2026, in Cabo Rojo on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Race headquarters and core weekend activities are based at Combate Beach, a wide, crescent-shaped beach known for its calm, shallow waters and open staging space – ideal for both athletes and spectators.
Cabo Rojo offers a dramatically different landscape compared to the lush rainforest terrain many associate with Puerto Rico. The region is characterized by dry coastal forest, rolling hills, limestone cliffs, and sweeping ocean views. Just minutes from the race hub, you’ll find the iconic red cliffs of Los Morrillos Lighthouse and the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, adding a striking visual backdrop to the weekend.
This southwest setting creates a race environment that feels raw and natural. Mountain bike segments wind through dusty trails and uneven terrain, while the run course often exposes athletes to open sun and coastal breezes. For visitors, Cabo Rojo delivers quieter beaches, laid-back seafood spots, and a relaxed atmosphere – making it a destination that feels adventurous yet unhurried.
The combination of confirmed dates and this distinctive coastal terrain makes XTERRA Puerto Rico one of the most scenic stops on the off-road calendar.
What Races Are Confirmed for XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026
The XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 weekend delivers a rich lineup of off-road endurance events spread across Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 in Cabo Rojo, centered at Combate Beach. These races appeal to a wide range of athletes – from trail runners to multisport competitors – and many offer valuable qualification opportunities for XTERRA World Championship and Trail Run World Championship slots.
Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Trail & Multi Sport Day
The festival weekend begins with a series of trail-based and multisport races that set the tone for a full weekend of adventure. The flagship trail event is the XTERRA Puerto Rico Trail Half Marathon (21K), a challenging two-lap course winding through dry forests and coastal terrain. This race is part of the XTERRA Trail Run World Series and awards 58 World Championship slots to top age-group finishers.
Complementing the half marathon are additional distances and formats designed for broader participation, including:
- 10K Trail Run – A shorter but technical distance over natural terrain.
- Swim Run – A combined race where participants alternate between open-water swimming and trail running.
- E-bike Race – A mountain bike event tailored to e-bikes, showcasing technical sections and fast descents.
These Saturday events create a vibrant, inclusive start to the weekend, drawing endurance athletes of various specialties into Cabo Rojo’s rugged landscape.
Sunday, April 19, 2026 – Off-Road Triathlon Day
Sunday is dedicated to XTERRA’s signature off-road triathlon format, where swim, bike, and run elements combine into a single demanding race. The Full Distance Triathlon features:
- 1.5 km open-water swim off Combate Beach
- 33 km mountain bike course over rough trails and hills
- 10 km trail run through sandy and forested terrain.
There’s also a Sprint Triathlon distance, designed as a more accessible yet still highly technical version of the event. This shorter course includes:
- 750 m swim
- 15 km off-road bike
- 5 km trail run
The sprint serves as a Qualifier for the XTERRA Youth World Championship, making it especially popular with younger competitors.
Together, Sunday’s events provide athletes with authentic XTERRA challenges – rugged terrain, varied conditions, and off-road routes that reward endurance, skill, and tenacity.
Prize Money & World Championship Qualification – Why the Stakes Are Real
XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 isn’t just another scenic race weekend – it’s a serious qualifier on the global off-road calendar. As an official stop on the XTERRA World Tour, the event in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, carries tangible rewards for both elite and age-group athletes.
Professional Prize Purse
The race features a $7,500 professional prize purse, attracting competitive elite fields from across the Americas and beyond. For pros, this isn’t just about podium prestige – it’s about valuable tour points, ranking implications, and financial incentive early in the season. The competitive depth adds intensity to both the swim start and the technical bike segments, making it a compelling event for spectators as well.
XTERRA World Championship Slots
Beyond prize money, the qualification stakes are even higher. XTERRA Puerto Rico offers:
- 56 qualifying slots to the XTERRA World Championship Triathlon
- 58 qualifying slots to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
These slots are distributed across age-group categories, giving amateur athletes a legitimate pathway to race on the world stage. For many competitors, this event represents a critical opportunity to secure their championship berth without traveling far beyond the Caribbean region.
Why It Matters
Because of its early-season timing and challenging terrain, XTERRA Puerto Rico often becomes a strategic race for athletes targeting world qualification. Strong competition, meaningful rewards, and championship implications elevate the event beyond a standard endurance race – turning it into a weekend where performance truly counts.
Southwest Puerto Rico Escape – Turning Race Weekend into a Coastal Getaway
If you’re heading to Cabo Rojo for XTERRA weekend, consider extending your stay and leaning into the slower rhythm of Puerto Rico’s southwest coast. This corner of Puerto Rico feels noticeably different from San Juan – less urban, more open, and deeply connected to land and sea.
Stay Close to the Water
Combate and nearby Boquerón offer beachfront guesthouses, small inns, and vacation rentals with easy ocean access. Mornings here start with calm water and quiet shoreline walks – a perfect recovery setting after race day. Evenings are low-key, often centered around seafood kiosks and sunset views rather than nightlife.
Explore Natural Landmarks
Beyond the race hub, take time to visit Los Morrillos Lighthouse and the Cabo Rojo Salt Flats. The red cliffs, bright white salt pans, and coastal trails create striking scenery that feels almost desert-like – a dramatic contrast to Puerto Rico’s rainforest image. Early morning or golden hour visits are especially rewarding.
Eat Like You’re on the Coast
Seafood is the star here. Fresh snapper, octopus salad, mofongo stuffed with shrimp – menus lean local and unpretentious. Boquerón’s waterfront strip is known for casual dining spots where sandy feet and post-race appetites are welcome.
Slow the Pace
Unlike resort-heavy destinations, Cabo Rojo invites downtime. Paddleboarding, snorkeling in clear shallows, or simply resting in a hammock feels natural here. It’s a region that pairs perfectly with an endurance weekend – active when you want it, peaceful when you need it.
By blending competition with coastal exploration, your XTERRA trip becomes more than a race – it becomes a full island reset.
Entry Fees & Pricing
For XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 in Cabo Rojo, confirmed entry and pricing details are now available through the official XTERRA registration platform. While exact figures can vary slightly depending on registration timing and participant category, here’s what’s confirmed or reliably typical for this stop on the XTERRA World Tour:
Early Bird vs Standard Registration
XTERRA events usually offer a tiered pricing structure:
- Early Bird pricing – discounted rates available for athletes who register well in advance (typically months before race weekend).
- Standard pricing – the default rate once early registrations close or slots begin to fill.
Booking early not only saves money but also helps guarantee your preferred race distance and category, as spots can sell out, especially in the trail running races and sprint/sprint-style divisions.
Key Race Entry Fees
While specific 2026 pricing may still be finalized, recent XTERRA Puerto Rico editions and the event’s published structure indicate the following approximate ranges:
- Trail Half Marathon (21K) – mid-range entry relative to other international trail races
- 10K Trail Run & Swim Run – moderate entry fees aligned with open-length specialty races
- Full Distance XTERRA Triathlon – higher fee reflecting the three-discipline format and championship points
- Sprint Triathlon – slightly lower than the full distance, making it a popular choice for age-group and first-time XTERRA participants
Exact pricing is posted directly on the official XTERRA event page and can vary based on athlete status (amateur vs. pro), age category, and registration date.
Additional Costs to Consider
- World Championship Slot Fees – Some qualifying slots may require nominal processing fees once earned
- Timing Chip or Event Pass – Often included in registration, but verify before checkout
- Race Weekend Amenities – Athlete shirts, post-race meals, and optional merchandise are typically extra
Because XTERRA registration opens months ahead of event weekend, pricing is subject to incremental increases as slots fill. If you see a rate you like early in the season, grabbing it sooner can be both financially savvy and logistically secure.
For the most up-to-date pricing confirmation, always refer to the official XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 registration portal – it’s the authoritative source for entry costs and category details.
What to Pack for XTERRA Puerto Rico – Island Heat Meets Off-Road Grit
Racing XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 in Cabo Rojo means preparing for two realities at once: tropical coastal weather and rugged off-road terrain. The southwest coast of Puerto Rico in April is typically warm, humid, and sun-exposed – and the course conditions can shift from packed dirt to loose gravel in a single stretch.
Here’s what seasoned XTERRA athletes don’t forget:
Heat & Sun Protection
- Lightweight, breathable race kit (quick-dry fabric is essential)
- High-SPF sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
- Visor or lightweight cap for the run
- Polarized sunglasses for bike glare
- Electrolyte tablets or hydration mix
The sun is strong, especially on open bike and run sections with minimal shade.
Bike & Trail Essentials
- Tires suited for dry, loose terrain
- Extra tube and CO₂ cartridge
- Bike gloves for grip on technical sections
- Trail shoes with strong tread (rocky patches can be unforgiving)
- Small towel for post-ride dust cleanup
Cabo Rojo’s terrain is fast in places but can feel abrasive underfoot.
Swim & Transition Gear
- Anti-chafe balm (saltwater + heat combo)
- Quick-drain tri shoes
- Extra socks (humidity matters)
- Small transition mat for sandy areas
Recovery & Island Comfort
- Flip-flops or slides
- Post-race recovery sandals
- Lightweight change of clothes
- Reusable water bottle
- Compact cooler for beach downtime
This isn’t just race weekend – it’s a coastal stay. Planning for both performance and relaxation keeps the experience smooth.
Pack smart, anticipate heat and dust, and you’ll be ready for everything XTERRA Puerto Rico throws your way – from the swim start to the final stretch of trail.
Off-Road Intensity Meets Caribbean Coastline
XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 isn’t just another race weekend – it’s a defining early-season stop on the global off-road calendar. Set against the sun-baked coastline of Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico, the event combines technical terrain, championship stakes, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere that’s uniquely southwest Puerto Rico.
Whether you’re targeting a World Championship slot, chasing a podium paycheck, or simply testing your endurance on rugged Caribbean trails, this weekend delivers real competition in a setting that feels raw and cinematic. It’s demanding, strategic, and scenic all at once – the kind of race that challenges both conditioning and adaptability.
For athletes and supporters alike, XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026 offers something rare: serious global qualification stakes wrapped in an island setting that makes the effort worthwhile long after the finish line.
Event Snapshot
- Event Name: XTERRA Puerto Rico 2026
- Event Category: Off-road triathlon weekend + trail runs (XTERRA World Tour event)
- Confirmed 2026 Dates: April 18-19, 2026
- Confirmed Location: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, key hub at Combate Beach, Cabo Rojo
- Confirmed Race Options:
- Trail Run 21K (Apr 18)
- Trail Run 10K (Apr 18)
- Swimrun (Apr 18)
- E-bike Race 31K (Apr 18)
- Full Triathlon: Swim 1.5K / Bike 33K / Run 10K (Apr 19)
- Youth Qualifier: 750m / 15K / 5K (Apr 19)
- Duathlon: Run 2.5K / Bike 15K / Run 5.6K (Apr 19)
Prize Purse & Qualification:
- $7,500 professional prize purse
- 56 XTERRA World Championship triathlon slots
- 58 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship slots
Confirmed Fee Example:
- Trail Half Marathon 21K Early Bird (until 12/31/2025): $55
Airport Guidance:
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) – approx. 2 hr 30 min drive
- Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) – approx. 1 hour drive
Refund Policy: Registration fees are non-refundable once registered.
