A massive charity ceviche event will take over La Paz’s Malecón kiosk on July 11, with local restaurants and oyster farms teaming up to prepare 1.5 metric tons of the seafood dish. The La Paz ceviche event is part of a two-day charity program tied to ExpoPesca Maja El Grande 2026, one of Baja California Sur’s largest sport-fishing tournaments. A voluntary donation at the kiosk gets you a plate, and proceeds go to three organizations that provide health services to children in the state.
ExpoPesca Maja El Grande Has Grown Into a Flagship BCS Tournament
ExpoPesca Maja El Grande is a competitive sport-fishing event based in La Paz that draws anglers from across Mexico and abroad. The tournament targets species like dorado, marlin, and tuna in the waters around the Sea of Cortez, and it has become one of the state’s marquee summer events. Baja California Sur’s government has used the tournament as a platform for broader tourism programming in recent years, pairing the fishing competition with food, culture, and community events along the waterfront.
This year, SETUE (Baja California Sur’s tourism and economy ministry) is sponsoring two charity events as part of the tournament weekend. Maribel Collins, the head of SETUE, said the goal is to combine gastronomy and community participation while raising money for children’s health institutions. The state government has been pushing what it calls “experience tourism,” where visitors engage with local food, culture, and social causes rather than just beaches and resorts.
The first event, called “El Gran Ceviche con Causa” (The Great Ceviche for a Cause), runs Saturday, July 11, from noon to 7 p.m. at the kiosk on La Paz’s Malecón. Restaurants, oyster farms from around the state, and culinary collectives will prepare the ceviche on-site. The Instituto Sudcaliforniano de Gastronomía y Hotelería (Baja California Sur’s gastronomy and hospitality school) is also participating, along with the CROC labor union and members of the fishing sector.
The second event is the Primera Carrera de Meseros con Causa (First Waiter Race for a Cause) on Sunday, July 12, from 8 a.m. to noon. The race pits restaurant servers against each other in a skills competition. Waiter races are a tradition in several Mexican cities, typically involving servers carrying loaded trays through an obstacle course at speed without spilling. La Paz’s version is a first for the city and is meant to recognize hospitality workers who serve the tourism industry year-round.
Three Children’s Health Organizations Will Receive Donations
The ceviche event operates on a voluntary donation model. There is no fixed ticket price. Attendees contribute what they can, and all funds go to three organizations focused on children’s health in Baja California Sur.
The first is the HOP (Hemato-Oncología Pediátrica) unit at Hospital Salvatierra in La Paz. Hospital Juan María de Salvatierra is the main public hospital in the state capital, and its pediatric blood cancer and oncology unit treats children from across BCS. Public hospitals in Mexico often rely on outside donations to supplement government funding for specialized equipment and medications, and the HOP unit has been a frequent beneficiary of local charity drives.
The second beneficiary is Oleadas de Luz A.C., a Baja California Sur nonprofit that supports families of children with cancer. The organization helps cover costs that the public health system does not, including transportation, lodging during treatment, and emotional support services for families who must travel to La Paz or mainland Mexico for specialized care.
The third is CRIT Teletón Baja California Sur, part of Mexico’s national Teletón network of rehabilitation centers. CRIT facilities provide physical therapy and rehabilitation to children with disabilities, neurological conditions, and autism. The BCS center serves families across the peninsula who would otherwise have to travel to the mainland for these services.
How to Get to the Malecón Kiosk on July 11
The Malecón kiosk sits on the waterfront promenade in central La Paz, near the intersection of Paseo Álvaro Obregón and Calle 16 de Septiembre. Street parking along the Malecón fills quickly during large events, so arriving early or using a taxi is a practical option. The ceviche event runs for seven hours, so there is no need to time your arrival precisely. Bring cash for the voluntary donation, as charity events in La Paz rarely have card payment options at the door.
The waiter race on Sunday morning starts at 8 a.m. and wraps by noon, making it an easy stop before the heat sets in. Both events are free to attend, with donations encouraged but not required.
ExpoPesca Maja El Grande 2026 runs across the same weekend, with fishing competition activities centered on the La Paz marina. The state government expects the combined events to draw visitors from Los Cabos, Loreto, and mainland Mexico. Details were published by BCS state government communications on July 2.