For what it's worth, visual proof...

[John in DC]

...that Tulum is in for big changes. These images are from Google Earth -- not sure when, but fairly recent. On top, we see the new street grid stretching from main street toward Punta Piedras. The second image shows what appears to be preliminary construction work on the new airport off the Coba Road (see the three parallel lines in the upper left of the photo). They are roughly the same length as the runways at the Cancun airport.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c245/jwilcox23/Tulumaerialshowingnewstreetgrid.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c245/jwilcox23/Tulum-CobaRdpossibleairportlocation.jpg

[lambert13]

Looks like that is what is definately going on. There are a bunch of areas with detailed aerial photos that werent there less than 6 months ago. Now there is detail along nearly the whole coast down to Punta Allen. Some new detail near the toll road too.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d67/lambert13/TULUM.jpg

[jx2]

:( I'm just glad we have had the opportunity to enjoy it the way it was and is now. Allthough it will take many years yet to put a complete new face on the Riviera Maya.