In 1888 the colonial government proposed establishing 3 Indian reservations, with the western one covering Benque Viejo del Carmen, Settlement 238 and Settlement 6.[1]
Arenal was written as El Arenal in 1905.[2]
From at least 1917[3] to 1928[4] Arenal had a catholic mission under Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, from Benque Viejo del Carmen Town.