Maya temples above the jungle canopy
Tikal was one of the most powerful Maya cities, and its ruins lie deep inside a national park of dense tropical forest. The Great Plaza is framed by Temple I, the Temple of the Great Jaguar, and Temple II, and from the top of Temple IV the roof combs of the other temples poke above the canopy. Spider and howler monkeys, coatis and ocellated turkeys roam the site. Sunrise and early-morning visits are cooler and full of birdsong. Flores, a small island town on Lake Petén Itzá, is the usual base.