We recently spent 10 days in Mexico, first half of the trip was in Playa Del Carmen and the second half in Puerto Aventuras. We had spent many winter vacations in the early 90's at Playa Xpu-Ha located 3 miles south of Aventuras. The developement that has taken place over the past fifteen years in this area is criminal. I guess the goal is to turn the entire coastline from Cancun to Tulum into one big Cancun. I know this is the same old sad song, sung many times throughout the world but this one happens to be close to me.

One can still find isolated beaches south of Tulum in the Boca Paila area but this requires driving an hour or more from areas with rooms and restaurants.

If you've never been to this area you'll love it! Beautiful beaches, breathtaking water, and perfect climate during the winter months. If you visited this area in the 80's and 90's be prepared for a major four lane highway, traffic congestion all the way to Tulum and beaches that are becoming privatized(it cost us ten dollars to access Xpu-Ha).

I just turned 48 and invoked the "Good old days" clause for the first time in my life!