If you're still hungry for more ruins after visiting Tikal, then you might consider a river trip. I was first introduced to the Rio Passion and its great treasures by Dr. Jorge Santana(Spanish Professor at CSU Sacramento) and Dr. Lilia Sanchez(California Dept. of Education) The Guatamalan government sees the potential in tourism that this area offers for those looking for a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" type of vacation. It is about forty miles from Tikal to Sayaxche. From Sayaxche, you must hire a boat and travel seven miles up the river. The boat ride takes about and hour and a half. This river system was a major trade route with the Mayans. The river is filled with crocodiles, and you will get to hear a lot of howler monkeys imitating the sounds of jaguars. These ruins date back to 800 BC. Most of the ruin sites along the river are covered in jungle. So far, the government has excavated one area exclusively. This is the new national park now called Ceibal. The stela at the Ciebal site are considered some of the most important in existence. Here we find Aztec gods on Mayan stela. This is proof positive that the Mayans of Tikal traded with the Aztecs of Tenochtitlan.