Mexico in Print: 15 Travel Writing Markets

Whether you’re already an established travel writer or just trying to break into the business, it’s important to consider pitching publications outside the typical travel magazine market in addition to more well-known travel publications. In fact, you’ll find numerous opportunities to publish travel articles with a particular focus such as culinary, business, architecture, green, family, fitness, etc. Here are 15 print magazines that accept freelance submissions about travel to Mexico.

1. Baja Life

Baja Life is a glossy, coffee-table magazine devoted to promoting tourism, education and protection of the environment and earth-kind economic development on the Baja Peninsula.

Submissions Policy: Baja Life accepts freelance submissions for Feature Articles (2,000+ words) and Columns and Travel Reports (600-1,000 words). Both a double-spaced hard copy and an electronic file of the article should be submitted. Payment ($.10 per word) is made upon publication.
More info: http://www.bajalifemag.com/Writers.htm

2. Budget Travel

Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine focuses on service and destination features for budget to mid-range travelers. Recent Mexico features include a destination piece on Pie de la Cuesta, 20 insider tips for visitors to Mexico City and What $100 Buys in San Miguel de Allende.

Submissions Policy: To be considered for a freelance assignment submit a copy of a previously published article (as a sample) along with your pitch and a cover letter Submissions, Budget Travel, 530 Seventh Ave., 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10018; or e-mail it to Letters@BudgetTravel.com.
More info: http://www.budgettravel.com/contact-us/

3. Caribbean Travel + Life

Caribbean Travel + Life provides its readers with inspirational tales of Caribbean escape, and the information to create their own escape. Destinations in Mexico include Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and the Riviera Maya.

Submissions Policy: Send a pitch letter and clips of previously published work to editor@caribbeantravelmag.com. Unsolicited completed articles are not accepted. Department articles provides readers with concrete destination specific information, offer advice and editors’ picks as well as information such as pricing, hours, amenities, etc. Feature articles run from 800-1200 words, may or may not contain sidebars and pay $1 per word.
More info: http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/articles/submission-guidelines

4. Coastal Living

Coastal Living introduces readers to homes, destinations, activities, and people along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf shores of North America including Hawaii, Alaska, coastal Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and U.S. Great Lakes. Recent Mexico features include a round up of the best coastal yoga retreats, travel tips and a photo essay on Mazatlán.

Submissions Policy: Send pitches and queries to Jacquelyne Froeber, Coastal Living travel editor (jacquelyne_froeber@timeinc.com). Pay is $1 per word.
More info: http://www.coastalliving.com/about-us/

5. Food and Wine

Food and Wine features articles about restaurants and culinary trends in the US and abroad including destination features. Travel topics include culinary getaways, trends and vacations. Somewhat recent Mexico features include A Cooking Adventure at a Mexico Spa and a food-themed destination article about Oaxaca.

Submissions Policy: Send a query to attention of the managing editor, Mary Ellen Ward via snail mail: 1120 Avenue of the Americas #9, New York, NY 10036-6700
More info: http://www.foodandwine.com/contact

6. get lost

get lost seeks to inspire travelers to explore the world and take incredible holidays that won’t be found in tourist brochures or advertorial driven publications. The magazine focuses on the experience of travel much more than the facts and figures and caters to flashpackers (defined as people with a backpackers sense of adventure and high disposable income). Recent Mexico features include traveling Mexico’s South Pacific Coast and a visit to San Juan Chamula in Chiapas.

Submissions Policy: All pitches must include a brief bio, examples of previously published work, a sample paragraph and selection of images and be sent via email to submissions@getlostmag.com.
More info: http://www.getlostmag.com/about-us

7. Hemispheres

Hemispheres is the in-flight magazine of United Airlines and Continental Airlines. The most recent issue’s feature was Three Perfect Days: Mexico, a destination piece about the beach towns along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Submissions Policy: Submit pitches via the contact form on the magazine website and select the I am pitching a story as a freelance writer option. Pay is $.50-$1.00 per word.
More info: http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/talk-to-us/

8. International Living

International Living magazine aims at providing a scope and depth of information about global travel, living, retiring, investing, and real estate that is not available anywhere else. The magazine is currently interested in articles focusing on Mexico and several other Latin American countries. Articles topics may include cheap travel, destination pieces pertaining to a specific country or a city, town or village or even a neighborhood, travel and adventure and personal profiles of expats and entrepreneurs, healthcare, retiring overseas and insider intelligence.

Submissions Policy: Send article ideas to the managing editor, Eoin Bassett at editor@internationalliving.com using the suggested template. Unsolicited articles are accepted on spec. Feature articles range in length from 840-1400 words and pay is $250 for 840 words and $400 for 1,400 words. Short blurbs of 100-200 words that offer an insider recommendation for a place to eat, a hotel, an activity; a newsworthy note about something going on in a place that’s on our readers’ radar screens pay $25 each if selected for publication. 250-500 word postcards pay $50 and can be submitted to postcards@internationalliving.com
More info: http://internationalliving.com/2007/08/write-for-us/

9. Islands

ISLANDS magazine is a travel magazine about island and coastal destinations with a focus on the Caribbean. Destinations in Mexico include Cancun, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Mazatlán and the Riviera Maya.

Submissions Policy: Queries are currently being accepted for the magazine’s Travel Tales, Taste and Live the Life columns. Send pitches via email to storyideas@islands.com. Include the name of the column you are pitching in the subject line. Spec submissions are welcome.
More info: http://www.islands.com/articles/writers-guidelines

10. Runner’s World

Runner’s World magazine targets all runners from beginner to professional and seeks to influence the broad running community. The magazine features the occasional running-themed destination articles.

Submissions Policy: Departments currently offering the best opportunities for freelancers include What it takes to…, Rave Run and Life & Times. The magazine is also looking for Adventure Runs from readers — runs in wild, remote beautiful and interesting places. Electronic submissions are preferred and should be sent to rwedit@rodale.com.
More info: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-494-499–11245-0,00.html

11. Running Times

Running Times magazine is part of Runner’s World Media Group and targets highly competitive runners. The magazine’s travel section includes columns such as Running In…, Running Away, Running Around the World and On the Road as well as running-themed destination features.

Submissions Policy: Send articles or pitches via e-mail to editor@runningtimes.com. Include a written query that describes in two or three paragraphs your idea, the article’s proposed length and scope, why Running Times’ readers would find the material interesting, and your qualifications.
More info: http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=6878

12. Sky

Sky is the in-flight magazine for Delta Airlines. Destination articles should be of interest for a specific reason — a trend in travel, fascinating annual event, new restaurants or architecture. Articles about historical attractions are welcome if they present a new or interesting angle. Destinations in Mexico include Cancun and Mexico City. The most recent feature was a destination piece about the ruins at Teotihuacan outside Mexico City.

Submissions Policy: Send pitches to edit@deltaskymag.com, or to Delta Sky Editors, 220 S. 6th St. Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN  55402. Features range from 600–2,000 words. Departments include very small 100-word pieces to longer 500-word columns and pay varies.
More info: http://deltaskymag.delta.com/About-Delta-Sky/Writers-Guidelines.aspx

13. Southern Living

Southern Living is a lifestyle magazine focused on the American South. The magazine’s travel section features vacation destinations outside of the focus region including Mexico and the Caribbean. Recent Mexico features included destination articles about San Miguel de Allende and Tulum.

Submissions Policy: Send pitches and inquiries to Southern Living magazine Attn: Editorial Offices 2100 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, AL 35209 or via email to Claire Machamer at sl_online@timeinc.com
More info: http://www.southernliving.com/contact-us/

14. Sunset

Sunset is the premier resource for achieving the ultimate Western lifestyle. The magazine has a specific section within its travel section for articles about Hawaii and Mexico. Recent Mexico features include destination pieces on Yelapa and San Miguel de Allende.

Submissions Policy: Writers must submit a query letter to the editor in advance. The letter should explain and outline the proposed story idea, and suggest an appropriate month or season. E-mail queries are preferred and unsolicited manuscripts are strongly discouraged. Send queries to travelquery@sunset.com.
More info: http://www.sunset.com/general/travel-writers-00400000035100/

15. Women’s Running

Women’s Running is a women-specific running magazine that covers all aspects of the running lifestyle, from active beauty needs to training plans. The magazine occasionally features articles about destination marathons and running retreats. The magazine’s Active Getaway department is interested in 1,500-word feature articles which highlight a destination or trip that provides a variety of active options for women and/or their families (and are most often written by experienced travel writers). These travel pieces do not have to center around running, but may include a sidebar on running such as “Locals’ Favorite Run.”

Submissions Policy: To be considered for a freelance assignment submit a query letter and two to three short, relevant writing samples to editorial@womensrunningmag.com.
More info: http://www.womensrunning.com/about-us/contributor-guidelines

Photo credit: via flickr