Benque Viejo del Carmen

Benque Viejo del Carmen

The westernmost town in Belize, Benque Viejo del Carmen is located 130 km by road west and south of Belize City, on the Guatemalan border. The Mopan River flows along the northern and western edges of the city. The first settlers of Benque were the Maya from Flores, Guatemala. The Mayas were catechized by Spanish Catholic missionaries, which led to the predominance of the Catholic Church in Benque. For a long time, Benque has been the place where tourists and traders cross into Melchor and buy Mayan textiles. Today, young Guatemalans cross the border every day to receive secondary education in English.