Mitch Kowalski, an American backpacker in Central America who may be in some trouble with the local authorities, joins an archeological expedition in the jungle, hoping to lay low for a while. While there he enjoys the easy comradeship of the camp, the challenges of life in the jungle, and a budding romance with the project's leader, the beautiful Elena. But when the money runs low, tensions rise, leading to deception, lies, intrigue and a series of events that build to an exciting and unexpected climax.