(Tikal, Guatemala is the quintessential Classical Mayan ruin. Located deep in the lowland rain forest of El Peten, it seems to have been a great ceremonial site. Although residences do exist in the woods, this ruin is known for its four 200-plus foot regal pyramids jutting out from the jungle canopy. Scattered about are sculptures of limestone; many, however, have been placed in an open-air (but now guarded) covered museum -- to protect them from the rains and thieves. Not all that long ago the most famous and opulent of the gold and jade Mayan masks was stolen from the old "museum," a walk-around without any restrictions sort of place. The stolen mask was priceless; all remote ruins of this nature are susceptible to thieves, some of whom use helicopters to extract sculptures weighing many tons. Because these ruins are often so remote many of the thefts go unnoticed for years!)