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.In September 2009 (four months ago), a second attempt started in Cancun. The beach recovery has made its way to Playa del Carmen. Boats dredge sand from the ocean bottom and pipe, then dump it along the beaches. Huge pipes transport and pile sand on the beaches.
A great deal of controversy has surrounded this one billion peso project. 1.3 billion gallons of sand will be brought to the beaches. They are using 2 thousand tons of pipeline materials. The main controversy has been the ecological effects on the coral reefs and ocean bottom. It is a hard call as this area depends on its pristine, world famous beaches for the livehood of many people.
So now, the beach fronts of many of the Playa del Carmen hotels are off limits. The project was to take four months but as most large endeavours, there were many delays.
Each day, you can go and see the changes that occur. It is hard to believe how the beaches can be transformed so quickly.
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.
