The 3rd Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships was held in Xalapa, Mexico, on 25–28 August 1978.

The Cubans Lázaro González and Juan Pineira won 2 gold (shot put, discus throw) and 1 silver medal (hammer throw), and 2 gold (100m hurdles, 300m hurdles) and 1 bronze (4 × 100 m relay), respectively.

In addition, the championships saw early appearances of multi-medalist Merlene Ottey from Jamaica gaining 1 gold (4 × 100 m relay), 1 silver (4 × 400 m relay), and 1 bronze medal (200m) at this event in the under-20 category, before winning, for example, 3 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze medals at various IAAF World Championships in Athletics between 1983 and 1997, and 3 silver and 6 bronze medals at various Olympic Games between 1980 and 2000.

Grace Jackson from Jamaica, 200m silver medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, won the under-20 high jump competition, whereas Cuban athlete Silvia Costa, high jump silver medalist at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics in Stuttgart, Germany, won gold in high jump and silver in 100m hurdles in the under-17 category.

[4] *   Host nation (MEX) Detailed result lists can be found on the World Junior Athletics History website.