Hurricane Grace heads toward Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

The Government of Canada has updated its travel advice for Mexico due to tropical storm Grace, which is officially now a hurricane, and is expected to hit the Yucatán Peninsula by August 19. 

The storm has sustained winds of 75 mph and is currently moving away from Grand Cayman, reports say. 

The storm is expected to reach the Yucatan Peninsula late Wednesday or early Thursday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Global Affairs Canada recommends that Canadian nationals living or located in the Yucatán Peninsula follow warnings and alerts that the U.S. NHC will continue to issue for affected areas as the storm develops. 

The Ministry also advises concerned travellers to: 

• contact their travel agency or tour operator to find out if the situation could jeopardize their travel plans; 
• monitor local media and weather reports;
• follow directions from local authorities.

A hurricane warning is in effect from Cancun to Punta Herrero, including Cozumel. 

This means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area (whereas a watch means hurricane conditions are possible). 

Jamaica and the Cayman Islands also may receive four to eight inches and isolated amounts of rain from the storm. 

Three RCI ships change course

The Riviera Maya News newspaper reports that three cruise ships have changed their itinerary due to the threat presented by Grace. 

The ships Allure of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas have all changed course, reports say. 

However, according to the latest news, the arrival of cruises Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista are still scheduled for August 19, said the CEO of the Port Authority of Quintana Roo, Alicia Ricalde Magaña .

Grace's approach also results in the closure of archaeological sites in the state of Quintana Roo. 

Thus, authorities have announced that they will close (at least until August 20) the archaeological areas of Tulum, Cobá, Muyil and San Gervasio, as well as the Museum of Mayan Culture in Cancún.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.