San Bernabé was established as a colonial mission sometime before 1712. It was located near the first mission of the Petén lakes, Arcángel San Miguel, which was established in 1704. Proyecto Itza excavated at San Bernabé to learn about the Colonial period (AD 1697-1821) in the area. The work encountered the mission church (Structure T31) and several residences. It is, to date, the only excavated mission in the Petén lakes region.