In June 2000, 34-year-old Alcaraz signed for Recreativo de Huelva, helping the oldest club in Spain return to La Liga after an absence of 23 years in 2002 behind champions Atlético Madrid and Racing de Santander. Even though Recre returned to the second level immediately, they also managed to reach the final of the Copa del Rey, losing 0–3 to RCD Mallorca.
