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Infrastructure and urbanization enhancements to Mexico's Caribbean coast have made the Riviera Maya region even more attractive and accessible to tourists and locals. Tulum real estate is expected to be one of the biggest benefactors of a new international airport expected to start as early as 2011. See the following article from International Living for more on this.

Driving along Mexico's Caribbean Coast, I was amazed at all the construction taking place, especially on the Riviera Maya. Major improvements on highways, access roads, and city centers are transforming areas that I last saw as little as six months ago.

On the Riviera Maya, from Cancún down to Tulúm, the coastal highway has been upgraded. Beach towns like Puerto Morelos and Akumal now have overpasses…Playa del Carmen is getting one, too. These overpasses let traffic head directly down the coast, while tourists and locals take access roads into town and to the beach.

In Tulúm, the southern point of the Riviera Maya, I watched workmen lay out a zig-zagging cobblestone sidewalk for a new town center, making room for the new shops, restaurants and other commercial enterprises. The new downtown will be only a short distance from the current downtown, with its mix of traditional mom-and-pop shops and homes. But the look and feel is likely to be very different. Expats in the area tell me that the "old" downtown is not going away—rather, the downtown is expanding in preparation for Tulúm's expected growth.

The main reason Tulúm expects to grow so dramatically is the new international airport that will be built just outside town. Mexico formally opened the bidding process for building and managing the airport just last month. But the project has been talked about for years.

The new airport is expected to handle three million passengers even in its early phases. It won't be open for some time—construction won't likely start until 2011—but clearly Tulúm is already preparing.

Right now property prices in Tulúm are still relatively low, at least off the beach. In town, for instance, you can still find small basic condos in the low $100,000s. But with upscale tourism marching steadily down the coast—and with the new airport now a certainty—prices seem likely to rise. If you're looking for bargains in Tulúm, you'd best head there soon.

If you're looking for an affordable Caribbean retreat, Tulum is one of three areas that offer great potential right now. (The others are Bacalar and the Costa Maya).

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Currently just a smaller destination in Mexico, Tulum could experience rapid growth following the recent kickoff of a new airport. Around 2.9 million visitors currently come to the Riviera Maya each year, but that number could grow to 18 million within the next fifteen years if the government's development plan reaches its goal. See the following article from Pathfinder International for more on this.

Greetings from Tulum on Mexico's Riviera Maya. The coastline here is a series of crescent-shaped white sand beaches, lapped gently by the turquoise Caribbean. The jungle interior reveals Mayan ruins and exotic wildlife, and the world's second-longest coral reef—which has attracted divers, snorkelers, and eco-tourists for years—hugs the coastline.

The Riviera Maya, which runs from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, is close enough (100km) to Cancun's international airport… but far removed from the jaded over-development that has marred Cancun.

Today, the sky is blue. The sand is white. The weather…just perfect.

The proximity to Cancun's international airport means that Tulum is already relatively accessible. This area has become increasingly popular in recent years with second-home buyers looking to escape Cancun's crowds. Now, it's set to explode.

Last year, Mexico's Riviera Maya greeted 2.9 million visitors. That's a big number. A government plan calls for this number to increase to 18 million by 2025. An increase like this means a major infrastructure investment. Mexico's President Felipe Calderon officially kick-started the Tulum airport project at the end of March. The president told a gathering of press and dignitaries in Tulum that construction contracts would be awarded by the end of the year with construction to begin shortly afterwards. The 1500-hectare site (just outside Tulum) is "ready to go". Once open, the airport will accommodate three million visitors.

An infrastructure project like this that improves accessibility will increase desirability. I believe Tulum will explode. Tulum today is where Playa del Carmen was 10 years ago. Today, in Playa, a 1000 square-foot condo on the beach will set you back up to $600,000.

Tulum has always been a "boutique" destination. Restriction on development and lessons learned the hard way in Cancun will keep it that way. The presence of national parks like Sian Ka'an biosphere means limited developable lands. That means buyers and renters chasing limited inventory. Just the type of conditions I look for when investing.

This isn't just good news for Tulum, of course. The new airport will open up the entire stretch of coast, right to the border with Belize.

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Whether you're seeking a laid-back getaway, a bohemian oasis or a resort atmosphere with all the trappings of urban life, Mexico's Caribbean coast offers a variety of beachfront lifestyles to choose from. And just as it's possible to find any flavor of beach lifestyle, real estate investors can find housing prices to fit any budget. See the following article from International Living for more on this.

Playa del Carmen , MexicoThe drive down Mexico's Caribbean coast, from Cancún to the Belize border, is one of my favorites in Mexico. That's because the destinations along this route are all so different.

If you're visiting, it's like having a smorgasbord of beach lifestyles to sample. If you're looking with relocation in mind, you're even luckier…whatever beach lifestyle you seek, you can probably find it someplace along this coast.

For laid-back island life, take a look at Cozumel or Isla Mujeres . The snorkeling off Cozumel is world-famous, with a wealth of colorful marine life. On Isla, go just a quarter-mile away from the trendy bars near the harbor and you'll find areas that look almost rural.

On Isla's northern coast I saw locals walking long stretches of shingly beach, picking up seashells near the dramatic homes that look out to sea. It's hard to believe that you're a 15-minute ferry-ride from Cancún's bright lights.

If you're looking for a vibrant yet cozy destination with a bohemian touch, there's Playa del Carmen, one of my favorite beach towns. You still find stalls along Fifth Avenue where vendors sell crystals or will braid your hair. And it's an excellent place for people-watching.

But today you also find designer stores, top restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and condos with all amenities. Those are all for whiling away the evening hours. During the day you'll no doubt be at the beach, enjoying the wide array of sports activities. On one visit, I spotted swimmers, scuba divers, windsurfers, jet-skiers, fishermen, and a parasail glider all at the same time.

Tulúm has some of the most beautiful beaches along this coast. The beaches are pure white sand, the waters are turquoise, and the waves rolling in are almost irresistible. Unlike Playa with its bustle, however, Tulúm feels tranquil. This is the place for that yoga class in the morning, or massage or meditation after your day on the beach. It's also a good base for eco-excursions.

West of Tulúm lies jungle area, and south of it is the huge Sian Ka'an biosphere, home to hundreds of varieties of plant and animal life. (I'm hoping to sign up for a kayaking tour of the reserve on one of my upcoming visits.)

Tulúm is just starting to be developed. Still largely off the radar (and off the grid) is the Costa Maya, south of Sian Ka'an running down to the Belize border. If you want pure undeveloped beachfront, this is the place. And it's another great area for scuba diving—in places, the barrier reef offshore is only a few hundred yards away. There are few amenities in most of the Costa Maya, but Mahahual is a lively—and growing—little town.

You can find properties at almost every price point along this coast, from $50,000 jungle lots to condos in the low $100,000s up to five-million-dollar-plus beachfront homes. Just decide what you want and start exploring your options.

And believe me, on this beautiful coast, browsing for that perfect home is at least half the fun.

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