Guatemala - Tourism, travel, and recreation

All visitors need a passport and may need a visa depending on nationality. Tourism has rebounded since Guatemala's return to civilian rule in 1986. In 1998, 636,278 foreign tourists entered the country. Tourist expenditures totaled $325 million in 1997. That year there were 13,854 rooms with 35,707 beds and an occupancy rate of 63%. Guatemala's main tourist attractions are Mayan ruins, such as Tikal; the numerous colonial churches in Guatemala City, Antigua Guatemala, and other towns and villages; and the colorful markets and fiestas.

In 1999, the UN estimated the cost of staying in Guatemala City at $129 per day. Costs elsewhere average $79 per day.