If one ever feels the need for a change from swimming in the beautiful water of the Caribbean there is a wonderful option here in the Mayan Riviera.
The Yucatan penninsula has approximately 15,000 cenotes but not one river above the ground. Cenotes are "sink holes" formed when the limestone crust collapses and exposes a section of an underground, fresh water river. The Mayans considered them a gift from the Gods.
These little pieces of paradise have crystal clear water and are found all over. You do not have to go very far before you will see a sign beckoning you to come for a swim. The price varies but it is usually around 20 pesos.
Do not overlook Cenote Ik-Kil near Chichen Itza. Another beauty is Cenote Azul just minutes from my door at Puerto Aventuras. Here you can climb up the side of the cliff and jump into the deep blue water or the brave at heart can climb a tree at the top of the cliff and really "sail" into the depths below.
Elaine
"Isn't buying a place in Mexico a huge risk?"
And then I ask "What has the stock market done for you in the last while?"
I know the sad answer to my question and here is the answer to yours.
Two years ago I bought my two bedroom condo in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. In two years my investment has gone up approximately 30% a year. I live here six months and can rent it out the rest of the time. Summer and especially August is very busy here. I own my condo through a 50 year bank trust. In 50 years I can renew it for another 50 and in 99 years my kids will be able to not only inherit it but make re-application for the trust. I pay a monthly condo fee and have excellent full coverage insurance (yes, even for hurricanes) through ING. So, I'm thinking I will likely spend the rest of my winters living in Mexico for close to, if not, free. As for my kids....they love it. Our family have been here for the last two Christmas's. Everyday we are at the pool, the beach or exploring the jungle, the cenotes or the ruins One day we went zip lining through the jungle on America's biggest zip line....24 platforms. And less than an hour from where I live. It doesn't get any better than this!
Elaine
Chichen Itza has just been named one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world. These Mayan ruins are a three hour drive from Play del Carmen. The road is good and goes through some very lovely little Mexican villages with all sorts of roadside stands selling blankets and carvings at a quarter of the price one would pay in Playa del Carmen.
There are many tours to Chichen itza but if you consider the cost of a family of four taking a tour it becomes very pricey. Consider renting a car. Drive south to Tulum and then take the road to Coba and Valladolid. There is free parking at the site and entrance fee for an adult is 99 pesos. ($10.00). Once inside you can hire a very good english speaking guide who will spend the next two hours explaining the Mayan fascination with time, the sacred cenote, wehre young girls were sacrificed to the rain god Chac and the ball game they played where the captain of the losing team was beheaded. There are lots of little road side stands and bargaining is a must. 
Prices here are cheaper than in the big tourist stores. After the guide leaves you it is fun to wander among the ruins for as long as you like. On a tour you would be hussled back to the bus before you had any chance to go to the bathroom!!!!
When leaving the site turn right on the Cancun Libre road and head to Cenote Ik-Kil near by. It is across from the Dolorus Albus Hotel. It will take your breath away! A most delicious treat after a hot day in the jungle.
Elaine
Chan Chen is a Mayan village, 30 kilometers into the jungle, south of Coba. 1500 people live in this village. The church at Paa Mul organized a medical mission to the village. Two Spanish speaking doctors and a dentist made up the medical team along with my sister-in-law and her friend who are both nurses in Winnipeg, Manitoba and were here visiting for two weeks.
The people did not know we were coming. There are no phones out there. While the medical volunteers set up their clinic in the school the rest of us walked around the village telling the people about the free Dr. and dentist. It didn't take long for the news to spread. Most of the patients were children with sinus or throat infections but one young mother came with her one year old baby girl. The baby weighed 10 pounds and was very sick. The Dr. said she was suffering from malnutrition and would die in less than two weeks if she didn't get to a hospital.
The nearest hospital is nearly two hours away at Valladolid. The Dr. and Rev Doug offered to take her right away. The mother only spoke Mayan but there was an interpreter. The mother refused to go. Her husband, like all of the men in this village, chop wood out in the jungle all week and only come home on Saturday nights, leaving again on Monday mornings. Maybe, when the father returned they would go to Valladolid but I don't know how. There was not one car in that village.
On a happier note, I have to tell you about the dresses the women wore. All white with embroider and lace. I told you they did not know we were coming so it wasn't that they dressed up in their best just for us. When they got up that morning, an ordinary morning, they dressed in these dresses. We all commented on the whiteness and the beauty. I was lucky enough to be invited in to a home where two women were sewing these dresses.
The school was bare bones. No books, no white board, and and an old broken yard stick. The playground equipment was all rusted and the boys had one soccer ball with the cover half off of it.
Besides the snow white, embroidered dresses there was one other idiocincrisity. Almost all the older women had at least one gold tooth. Some had many.
Elaine
Paa Mul is a tiny RV community made up of snowbirds, both Canadian and American, who either drive their RV's down or have bought and left trailer homes here and return every winter. What a neat little hideaway!
Most of the trailers have a roof palapa and under it a large patio with outdoor living at its finest, including a kitchen, dining and living area, bathroom and loft.
Paa Mul is 10 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. It has a beautiful beach and pool and one of the best little restaurants around...right on the water.
The social life here is really quite amazing. There is bridge, kereoke dances and even crab races. Everyone knows everyone and the comaraderie is wonderful..
There is also the lovliest interdenominational church, open air and thatched roof. Tracy, the electric piano player is another Stevie Wonder and Rev Doug never strays very far from a good story or joke.
Last Saturday we joined a volunteer group that went to Chan Chen, a Mayan village in the jungle. It was an amazing experience.
Elaine