Local officials in Playa del Carmen and Cancun are urging tourists to leave the Yucatan Peninsula as quickly as possible to avoid the dangerous situations likely to come about with the passing of Hurricane Dean. The storm, currently a Category 4 but expected to grow into a 5, is forecast to strike the region by Tuesday.
The Cancun and Cozumel airports are still open, but could close as soon as Monday if the storm stays on its current path. Some flights into the region have been canceled and extra planes are being positioned in Cancun to help evacuate tourists whose return flights are not scheduled until after the storm is supposed to hit.
The editors of MayanHoliday.com urge all tourists to leave the area as quickly as possible, even if it means renting a car and driving inland, toward Mexico City. Even though emergency plans are in place to house tourists in safe areas away from the beach, resort towns are not good places to be during severe weather. More:
US NOAA Official Site
Airport Transportation
Riviera Maya Guidebook
