All campers, either permanent or temporary, have access to this simple, yet elegant pool and restaurant at Paamul. We LOVE to come here, 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen. It is quiet, different, peaceful and rustic. Paamul is a little tricky to describe because it is a RV Trailer park with a twist, for campers, divers and tourists wanting lodging. It is not a highly commercialized tourist area. Paamul is a well maintained RV park, with small hotels, a restaurant and spots for campers. There are 185 spots for RV's (135 permanent and 51 open). There are 12 spaces for tents.
Here, Alfredo relaxes in the infinity pool. People (non campers) can use the pool and chairs, by simply buying a drink (soda, beer, liquor). This is really a good deal. During the week, it is so empty and calm. Often a golf cart will pull up and the local residents go for a quick swim, into the ocean or to the breezy restaurant for a beer.
Another shot of the pool, reaching into the ocean. This beach is very close to the coral reefs and if you want Scuba Mex is happy to take you diving.
Although, mostly RV populate Paamal, you can stay in hotels or cabanas, so close to the ocean. This is the back of one new hotel and here you can see the staircase, UNDER A MEXICAN PALAPA.
Very interesting PERMANENT RV's are along the roads of this RV park. Here is a close up shot of an entrance. People own the land but must follow certain rules. The trailer and open living space must be under a palapa. This "trailer" has been covered with cement and painted. Usually, the kitchen and living space is outside.
This is another shot of the one above. You can see the stainless steel fridge.
Notice, these properties have a front area. Many are filled with plants and flowers.
And satellite dishes!!!!! See the trailer and outdoor living space under the palapa.
Forty years, ago, Paamul was a coconut ranch. The son of the original owners of the ranch, is the current owner of this unique, isolated area along the riveria maya. Many Canadians and Americans own the permanent RV spots and visit part time during the year. Once such couple is Glen and Susan. They spend their summers in Southern Ontario on Guelph Lake. Check out their blog www.palapalife.blogspot.com Their posting of April 10, 2010 provides some interesting information about Paamul. Also, a quick search on google will show many excellent photos to give you the Paamal feeling. We find ourselves heading to Paamal often for the quiet, peaceful, open feeling.
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused a great deal of destruction as well as soil erosion along the beach coasts of the Rivera Maya. An attempt was made to resolve the erosion of the beaches. 
It did not work.
My sister tells me that in British Columbia, Canada, snow is being moved up to the mountains to accommodate the Winter Olympics, beginning next month.
Once enough cans have been collected, these people will take them to an aluminum plant, to have them weighed and then to recycling. As you can imagine, they do not get a lot of money per kilogram but it is a small source of income for these people. The hardest part is when I see mothers and children collecting.
This couple leaves the dumpster as they found it. It looks like they are sharing a joke. I see they have sticks. Many don´t and use their bare hands to go through the garbage.
Now, it is 6:40 AM and they continue on until they find another garbage container, big or small. As I watch, another man approaches the last dumpster. He will be disappointed.
At the stroke of midnight to welcome the new year, the 12 grapes were eaten and the sidra served. Each year, I can only manage 4 grapes but everyone else seems to eat all 12 in record breaking time. We had the T.V. on for the countdown and each had their glass of 12 grapes. Then sidra was poured into the glasses. After midnight, a meal is eaten. A very Happy New Year 2010! 
Nativity Scenes are a plenty in Mexico at this time of year, in hotel lobbies, in the town centres, in windows, in homes, in front of homes, in shopping centres... The displays come in all sizes. The question I have is how did the wise men travel to the Bethlehem? All the nativity scenes in Mexico that I have seen have the wise men arriving on an elephant, a horse and a camel! I wish everyone a Merry Christmas of comfort and joy!
