The magnificent Tikal ruins are just over the border in Guatemala. Tikal's towering pyramids rise above the thick jungle canopy. The ancient Maya began building this city around 600 BC. Tikal became one of the greatest centers of Maya culture and sprawled over 46 square miles with more than 4000 structures. Today, the rain forest engulfed the ruined city. Howler and spider monkeys roam free in the ruined city. While watching the sun sunrise, from the top of a Mayan pyramid, we heard the roar of the howler monkey packs. They surrounded us at the base of the pyramid. I asked our guide if we were in any danger. Benjamin replied they only eat tourists! Although we did not see a jaguar, one was marking it's territory with urine around our camp at night. Before leaving Guatemala we learned how to zip line through the jungle canopy.