Agree with Juiceman, mostly.

Akumal (between Tulum and CUN)...about 90 min South is very nice and laid back. South of Tulum (2 hrs S of CUN) is very undeveloped...a national park, IIRC. Slightly S of that is Beleize, the Orangewalk district (IIRC).

Merida is a very nice colonial city, but the beaches (Progresso) are unimpressive.

I understand that the area between Villadolid, CUN, and Merida hasa number of abandoned sisal plantations to restore. The area around CUN is completely unsuited to agriculture, but Villadolid has some nice cattle country.