Tuxtla Gutiérrez [1] is the traditional starting point for an annual Carrera Panamericana, or Pan Am road rally (www.panamrace.com [2]), the last open road race of its kind in the world. Using vintage race cars, two-person teams cover some 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) from Tuxtla to the Texas border. The race is typically held the third week of October and draws close to 100 teams and their support squads, from professional roadsters to amateur stock-car junkies. The start of the race is sometimes moved to Veracruz or Oaxaca, but if you happen to be in Tuxtla when the race is starting you can join locals in admiring scores of racing cars lined up on Avenida Central Poniente awaiting the big start.
Whenever Tuxtla’s professional soccer team, the Jaguares de Chiapas (www.conexionjaguar.com [3]), plays at home, fútbol aficionados and casual fans alike flock to the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna (20 Calle Ote. at Libramiento Nte. Ote.) to cheer them on. If you want to join the crowd, head to the stadium during the soccer season, which runs from August to May. Tickets cost US$4.25–25 and can be purchased in advance at the soccer club’s headquarters (Blvd. Belisario Domínguez 3777) or at Tienda Jaguarmanía (Blvd. Belisario Domínguez at Calle Oro Ferraro) in the Galerías Boulevard mall.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/chiapas/tuxtla-gutierrez
[2] http://www.panamrace.com
[3] http://www.conexionjaguar.com