Benque Fiesta

Alert: Some details may have changed due to COVID-19.
Type Of Event
Festival
Start Date
Saturday, 12 Jul, 2025Annually
Entrance Fee
Free
Date:
7/13/2023 - 7/16/2023
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Description
Highlights
  • Mechanical Rides
  • Soccer Games
  • Flor de la Feria Pageant
  • Parade
  • Live Bands
  • Columbia Station, Super Furia Band, DJ Wicked Vybz, Gilharry 7
  • Seleccion Veteranos Benquena vs. Seleccion De San Pedro
  • Belize and Seleccion Benquena vs. Ex Seleccion Guatemalteca
  • Lots of Food and Drinks
About Event

Benque Fiesta

In the westernmost town of the Cayo District, Benque Viejo del Carmen hosts an annual celebration in honor of the town’s patron saint, Nuestra Senor de Monte Carmelo (Our Lady of Mount Carmel). The celebration comprises a series of religious celebrations called “Las Aboradas,” carnival rides, parades, and processions, live music and performances, a fireworks show, and the Flor del la Feria Pageant. This is usually held in early July of each year. Audiences from near and far gather at the town’s cancha for the pageant, football matches, and massive parade.

2023 Benque Fiesta

Details for the 2023 Benque Fiesta are yet to be announced.

Why should you attend the 2023 Benque Fiesta?

This weekend at the Benque Fiesta will be filled with excitement and activities to do! Spectators from near and far come and enjoy all the events happening. Be there or be square!
 
Suitable for:
Kids
Teens
Adults
Families
Groups
Couples
Seniors
What to bring?
  • Cash
  • Energy to Dance
  • Camera
Activities:
Dancing, Photography, Walking
Outline of Event
Date
Description
7/13/2023Opening Day
7/16/2023Closing Day
Contact Information
Location Information
Venue:
Cancha Marshalleck
Address:
Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo, Belize
District:
Cayo
Transportation
Is Transportation provided?:
No
Transport Info.
Important Transportation/Pickup Information
1. Private Vehicle
2. Rentals/Charters/Shuttles
3. Public Transportation (Buses)
4. Taxi
5. Hitch-hiking

To arrange a shuttle/rental/charter, visit Belizing.com has a wide range of rental, charter and shuttle options to book today! See the options here:
(Shuttles) https://belizing.com/Shuttles/
(Rentals/Charters) https://belizing.com/RentalsCharters/
 
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard exchange rate in Belize is $1 USD = $2 BZD. Valid U.S. notes are accepted countrywide.
1. Private Vehicle: a. If you own a vehicle or has access to a private vehicle and have a valid driver’s license, you can drive to the Cancha Marshalleck in Benque Viejo del Carmen. This is the easiest and most recommended option for transportation. 2. Rentals/Charters/Shuttles: a. If you would like to drive or be driven directly to the Benque Fiesta, you can rent a vehicle (make sure you have a valid driver’s license) or request a charter or shuttle to transport you to Benque Viejo del Carmen. Arranging this option is easy, Belizing.com has a wide range of rental, charter and shuttle options to book today! See the options here: (Shuttles) https://belizing.com/Shuttles/ (Rentals/Charters) https://belizing.com/RentalsCharters/ 3. Public Transportation (Buses): a. On the mainland, buses can take you anywhere along the highways. Getting on a bus would require you to go to the town’s bus terminals or wait at the road side of a main road. Bus fares depend on where you are taking the bus and where you are stopping and whether if it is a regular bus or an express bus (non-stop). It should range from $2 BZD to 12 BZD. 4. Taxi: a. Taxis usually run from San Ignacio Town the entire day. At night, taxis are difficult to take and would be quite costly. 5. Hitch-hiking: a. When all else fails, and you really want to make it to the Benque Fiesta, you can stand at the roadside of a highway and catch a ride with someone who’s going to the direction of Benque Viejo del Carmen. For safety and other reasons, this is not 100% recommended.
Whats Nearby
Places
Benque Viejo del Carmen is the westernmost town of Belize, located just 8 miles from the Guatemalan border. The town is known for its peaceful riverbanks, convenience stores, and dainty ... morerestaurants. 

Visitors can also visit the Benque Viejo del Carmen Museum, which exhibits artifacts from the Mayan and colonial eras.

If you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing town to visit in Belize, Benque Viejo del Carmen is the perfect place to go. The town is a great base for exploring the nearby Mayan ruins and the Belize/Guatemala border.
Category:
Destination
Type of Destination:
Town
Population:
6,140
Features:
Phone Service, Restaurants, ATM services, Night Clubs, Public Parks
District/Region:
Cayo
Learn More
Destinations
Destinations/Attractions Nearby
Tours & Shuttles
$
175
/ Person
Departs From:
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
Xunantunich meaning “maiden of the rock” or “stone woman” in Maya, is situated on the Western Highway across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz.... more

Xunantunich is a Classic Period ceremonial center. The site core occupies only 300 square meters but the periphery covers several square kilometers. In Group A, Structure A-6 (El Castillo) rises 130 feet above plaza level making it one of the tallest buildings in Belize. On this structure, there are two temples. The lower temple is famous for its large stucco frieze. A mask with larger ears probably represents the sun god. Next, to this mask, there is a moon sign with a border of signs representing Venus.
$
125
-
$
152
/ Person
Departs From:
San Ignacio Town
 (3)
Xunantunich was the first excavated Mayan site in Belize that was opened to the public. Though it is smaller compared to the other Mayan sites, it consists of one of the tallest structures. ... moreThe huge statue of the Sun God, El Castillo, and the 130-foot tall pyramid are a couple of structures that attract visitors. Xunantunich means “Stone Woman” or “Maiden of the Rock” in the Yucatec dialect. These names are derived from the image of a woman depicted in one of the paintings.

Cave Tubing: Take a refreshing ride on inner tubes down the Caves Branch River and through a series of Ancient Mayan Caves for an incredible experience. This tour is perfect for families with older kids, especially as an escape from the Belizean heat.
$
130
/ Person
Departs From:
San Ignacio Town
Provider:
20 minutes drive from San Ignacio Town will take you to Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Meaning “Maiden of the Rock” which is located on the Western Highway across the river. The ceremonial ... morecenter is only 1 mile away after crossing the ferry on the Mopan River at San Jose Succutz. 

This Classic Period site provides an impressive view of the entire river valley. The site core occupies only 300 square meters but the periphery covers several square kilometers. El Castillo, the partially excavated and largest pyramid rises 130 feet above the main plaza and offers an impressive view of the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala.
$
100
-
$
150
/ Person
Departs From:
Hopkins
 (9)
Depart for a day of Mayan historical adventure to see some of the finest Maya Ruins in Belize. The drive through the hummingbird highway and the western villages of Belize is a cultural ... moreexperience with first-hand views of the Mayan mountains, orchards, colorful homes, schools, and marketplaces.

Xunantunich is located in the Cayo District across from Benque Viejo Road near the village of San Jose Succotz just a few miles from Belize’s western border with Guatemala. At the village of San Jose Succotz, we cross over the Mopan River using a hand-cranked ferry. From the other side of the river, it’s a mile uphill to the site, which can be accessed on foot or in a vehicle.

Xunantunich Mayan ruin, also known as the “Maiden of the Rock” is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. The largest pyramid, El Castillo stands 130 feet high above the main plaza and offers an impressive panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala, and the Mopan River. The site has been largely excavated and has a well-appointed educational museum.

Experience an authentic Belizean lunch in the immediate area of the ruins.
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