Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 25 miles (35 kph) from the center of the storm, and tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 115 miles, forecasters said.
An orange alert was issued, Granados said, meaning it is time for people to prepare and gather resources that later may be used to assist those in need.
Officials were coordinating efforts between the state government and municipalities, he said. Some 1,130 shelters were on standby and would open if needed.
U.S. officials issued a travel alert, advising American citizens in the area to prepare themselves for the possibility of a hurricane.
Some tourists decided not to take any chances.
"We wanted to get out of there. ... We were on vacation and just didn't want to be stressed," said Kathy Davis, 57, an American with a timeshare in Cancun.
She said she and her husband celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at the airport while waiting to catch a flight.
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