Scubacenote - Armando! Great work, great video! Thank you so very much for fighting this important battle. We have the deepest respect for you. Dean and I have been traveling to the Yucatan/Riviera Maya since 1994 and the development we have watched over the years has been extreme and pure destruction. In the beginning I cried everytime I found out about a big development and had to see what they did to the mangrove or any nature around. Than there was pure anger and the feeling of not being able to help or make a change. We have been trying to find other less developed places in this world for our vacations or future place of retirement. Even so we found some wonderful places in Central America, the Caribbean, other parts of Mexico but no area has ever drawn us to it as much as the Quintana Roo and Yucatan. There is something so special about this region. We love the Interior, the coast, caves, cenotes, the history, the culture, the people. Even so we tried we could not turn our back to it even so we disapprove with what is going on there in regards to development and environmental destruction. We have seen similar destruction in other parts of Mexico, Dom. Republic, Caribbean. We traveled to the Costa Maya (Xcalac) than they built the big cruise ship port. We snorkeled at Chemuyil and ate fish from the local fisherman there and liked that little camp ground. No more because a big resort group purchased the cove and it will be developed if not already done so. We like Akumal alot but are watching that area getting over developed as well. We used to go to Xaac by boat to snorkel and picnic at the beach. Than we actually heard and saw the bulldozers destroy all nature around there with our own eyes for the Grand Sirenis development. We were so angry that we did not visit the Riviera Maya for 1 year.
We have seen this along so many beaches up and down the coast. Playa del Carmen could have been the crown jewel of Latin America if it would have been carefully planed and gently developed with the ecology in mind. But No, money talked and no one cared what happend with all the Collosso areas springing up and all the condos and resorts and there is no stopping. Everything is getting americanized. If we would want that we could stay here in the US for vacation. Where once have stood or stand quaint small hotels in peace with nature now they are torn down or will be soon torn down to make place for huge resort developments. Many of the little sand roads we drove down to find a pristine beach with a local family running a little bar. Gone - big resorts on most of those beaches and soon to be also Osca & Lalo's location at Soliman Bay. Xpu-Ha Lagoon where once Manatees lived in peace and anyone could enjoy for a day, than it was turned into an Eco-Park wich was still okay but than somehow the Palace Resort Developers gotten approval to build Xpu-Ha Palace on this fragile eco area. How could the government ever approve a cruise ship port at Xcaret. Just maddening and just an example of what is going on. And I wish we would have never found out about the deep injection systems the Bavaro resorts use (and who knows how many other large AI resorts) and polute sacred and pristine cenotes. We thought these resort had to put in sewage treatment plants. What happend there? Of course $$$$ When is it going to stop???? We do understand Mexico needs to make money and try to help the economy but if they allow their most precious thing, Mexico's wonderful nature, reefs and environment get poluted and destroyed than Mexico has lost everything. Eventually, tourists will not come anymore because the area was loved to death. We are tourists as well but we would be just as happy in smaller Eco Lodges. Of course since nothing will change and the big resorts are now there we also take advantage of them and stay at them some on those beaches we used to enjoy before they were developed. At least this way we can still be on those beaches. We are adicted to the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula and will spend much time there for many years to come, maybe even retire there depending how things turn out. We are actually mostly staying at Mexican owned resorts these days (Karisma & small Cabana Resorts in Tulum, restored Haciendas etc) but have to admit we have stayed at Iberostars as well not knowing how they treat the Mexican people. Mexico needs more people like you!! But I also feel you are putting yourself into danger with this fight because these Spanish Resort Developers seem to be like the Mafia or modern day Conquistatores and the local government filling their bank accounts with their pay off money will try to get rid of anyone that get's in their way of making big money. Please be careful. We have so much respect for you and your courage. Thank you for doing what you do!!! Wishing you the best for your fight and please keep us posted here on PlayaInfo. We love your country, the people and the beauty of the nature of your country.
