Welcome to BajaTraveler® Our NEW era.

It is with enormous enthusiasm that we created this website for you all – I hope you all love it.

My name is Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo, and I’ve been publishing BajaTraveler® since 1999.  My mission has always been to promote the Best of México to the world, and distribute it to the most affluent audience. We are now expanding our coverage and have become BajaTraveler® and Beyond.  We will be featuring Latin America in our upcoming issue, and in future ones –all those destinations that wish to become part of our journey and reach the affluent traveler.

We paused publishing for a bit, as I went through personal loss, but we’re back stronger than before.

I am blessed of having a very talented team of writers, photographers, designers and digital creators – I would like to thank them all because without them, these publications would not be possible. I would like to thank my husband for his enormous help with this new era of BajaTraveler® and Beyond.

We will be bringing you monthly newsletters with pertinent information about the peninsula of Baja California as well as Latin America and Beyond – should we find a need to communicate with you about important events  or new places to visit– sooner, we will do so.

Please let us know how you like the content of the newsletter and feel free to suggest ideas to us.  We hope you love this brand-new website!  Thank You Fernando. Thank You Bilal. Thank You Kimmie.  – NEVER could I have accomplished this majestic  project without both of your talent and dedication… Now we can catch up on our sleep.

Please follow us on social media, invite your friends to follow – and comment about our publications. Feel free to email me directly at editor@travelerpublications.com.  We thank you for having been part of our journey these past 27 years.

Fondly,
Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo
Founder/ Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to the new era of BajaTraveler®

From 1999 until today, the ways we communicated and accessed information around the world has changed dramatically – and travel storytelling is no exception. BajaTraveler® has been a pillar in showcasing the best that Baja California has to offer visitors in every sense: History, Culture, Vacations, and Entertainment. We’ve been present covering the most important moments of businesses throughout the peninsula, sharing the different perspectives of travelers and tourism service providers alike.

In this new era, BajaTraveler® has joined the digital world with a renewed portal – better aligned with today’s needs. Offering our readers a window into the peninsula of Baja California, its past and its present. We’re also introducing a new communication channel through a newsletter, to build and sustain a community of people interested in what’s happening in Baja California — for those who want to learn about it and/or come to visit.

And we’re going further: In this edition, BajaTraveler® is expanding into Central and South America! With the arrival of new air routes, we’re broadening our view toward the rest of the Americas to the south. We will also be opening a window to Central and South American countries, bringing our readers new experiences and wider horizons.  We’re not stopping there, or goal is to bring you amazing world destinations.

It will be a privilege to have you join us as subscribers and to share with you the very best of the world. Welcome back to this new journey — let’s travel together!

Sincerely,
Fernando Favela Vara
Creative Digital Director

KARIN LEPERI PEZO/ EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2004
BajaTraveler® Pulitzer Prize recipient in 2012

Karin Leperi Pezo is an award-winning writer and photographer who captures a sense of people and place in her writings and visual captures. While the umbrella is food & travel, she feels that culture, cuisine, cruising and nature define a destination in unique ways that irresistibly invites the traveler to discover, connect and linger in ways that extol the virtues of exotic in the ordinary.

One of her recent specialties is South America and Peru. Having traveled there numerous times over the last 4 years, she has an inventory of stories that cover the coast, Andes, and the Amazon.

She divides her time between Iquitos, Peru (Gateway to Peruvian Amazon) and Las Vegas, Nevada. Karin loves being part of Traveler Publications.

Leperi Pezo is represented by Alamy and Solent, stock agencies in the U.K.

BETH PURCELL / SENIOR EDITOR/ WELLNESS
Joined Traveler Publications in 1999
BajaTraveler® Pulitzer Prize recipient in 2013

Beth Purcell has a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies, and delights in both reading about and traveling to all parts of the region. She has traveled extensively in México, from summer-long stays to study Spanish in Guadalajara, to long weekends in Los Cabos – she loves it all. Oaxaca, Tulum, and Zihuatanejo are three of her favorite spots, and a month-long Mexican yoga retreat is about the best thing she can imagine.

Beth has been part of the BajaTraveler®️ story since 1999 and now serves as our Yoga Editor. A former yoga studio owner with a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) certification and hundreds of additional training hours, she is also an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and certified life coach. Beth’s work celebrates Baja’s vibrant yoga culture—whether at beachfront shalas in Todos Santos, desert-coast retreats at Prana del Mar, or restorative weekends at Rancho la Puerta—blending holistic wellness with a deep love of place to inspire transformational journeys on and off the page.

México is a subject that Beth loves to write about, as its beauty and slower pace of life are two things she greatly values.

SYLVIA MENDOZA / SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 1999
BajaTraveler® Pulitzer Prize recipient in 2016

Sylvia Mendoza truly believes in the power of the written word. As an award-winning author, journalist and thought leader, she has written more than 500 articles for a variety of publications and has six books to her name (so far). As an editor, she takes her clients’ projects to the next level of creative and professional expression, while staying true to their vision and voice.

Raised a Navy brat, she lived in different versions of paradise like Hawaii, Guam, San Diego and, later in life, Puerto Rico. Being uprooted often, her constants were reading, writing, and learning about different cultures and the fine art of people watching. This combo fueled her passion for storytelling. She went on to earn degrees in Journalism. Sylvia and our publisher, Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo attended the same grammar and high school. St. Michael’s Academy and Our Lady of Peace.

For Traveler Publications, Sylvia’s passion is writing feature stories and profiles that bring out the best of people.

STACIE GOTTSEGEN / SENIOR EDITOR/ WELLNESS
Joined Traveler Publications in 1999
BajaTraveler® Pulitzer Prize recipient in 2018

Stacie Gottsegen is a television producer, writer and culinary junkie. She began her career at NBC Burbank with our publisher Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo. Their bond was sealed the day they put on their navy-blue page uniforms. Stacie is also a senior news and talent producer for entertainment and news magazine programs. A native “Angeleno” known for her calm demeanor and her sense of humor, Stacie lives in Brentwood, California with her fiancé Gregory Gieras. Stacie is thrilled to be contributing to Traveler Publications as the “Celebrity” Correspondent – and special features section.

LYDIA GREGORY / SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2005

Lydia Gregory got her start in travel writing in 1997 as Mexico Editor for Recommend magazine, a travel trade pub—where she returned in 2022 as Managing Editor. In the intervening years, she enjoyed applying her experience and flair to her work as a freelance travel writer, editor, copywriter, and translator. Fully bilingual and bicultural, her background includes stints on Puerto Rican television, recording voice overs, and gracing the mastheads of an eclectic collection of Spanish- and English-language magazines and meetings guides—though her one true love is putting frequent flyer miles on her laptop and sharing her experiences with he readers. I’m thrilled to be back on the BajaTraveler®  masthead as a contributor and proud of this iconic travel publication. 

JEANIE CASISON / SENIOR EDITOR/ WELLNESS
Joined Traveler Publications in 1999

Jeanie Casison was born in San Diego, California and was raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. She was on the move starting at an early age when family trips brought her everywhere from the provinces of the Far East to the amusement parks of Florida. After graduating from New York University, Jeanie was fortunate to find a writing job that allowed her to pursue her passion for foreign places and reveling in new experiences. She considers watching the whales of Cabo, visiting Petra in Jordan and shopping in Hong Kong and São Paulo, Brazil among her favorite pursuits on her growing list of travel adventures.

Jeanie brings a deeply immersive approach to storytelling, exploring how travel and well-being come together across Baja and beyond. From oceanfront sound baths to hikes through cactus-dotted canyons, her experiences highlight the people and places that offer space for rest and renewal. Curiosity, connection, and a genuine love for intentional living are her guide in each meaningful journey – and for this she will be a contributor to our upcoming WELLNESS section.

Jeanie enjoys writing for Traveler Publications as she is a frequent traveler to México.

ADAM CRITCHLEY / SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2003

Adam Critchley, a British writer and translator has been a resident of México since 1993, and has established himself as a known and trusted editor. Adam has worked for several prestigious publications over the years. A world-traveler who has visited and written in more than 20 countries, including China where he stayed and lived for a while. His articles, interviews, essays and short stories have appeared in Prairie Fire (Canada), Eat (Japan), The Brooklyn Review (NY), Storyteller (UK) and Loft (México), among others. Adam is a regular contributor to Traveler Publications and is fascinated on how the medical industry in México has grown.

ANDREA TOMBA /OFF ROAD SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2000

Andrea Tomba was born in Stockholm, Sweden by Italian parents. In 1994, he first settled in La Paz, B.C.S. where he found a little piece of paradise that had not yet been excessively exploited and where he found quality of life. “It is still rare to find a perfect balance of sea and desert where the natural beauty has the power to leave you in complete awe.” He has since moved to Cabo.

Andrea majored in Financial Economics in England and is fluent in Swedish, French, Italian, Spanish and English. Having decided to make a profession of his passions, he dives, spear-fishes, and organizes off-road adventures and races a Class 7 Open Off-Road truck, and enjoys expressing his exploits through Traveler Publications and that is all work! Wonder what he does for fun?

CARLOS LAZCANO SAHAGUN /HISTORIAN SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Carlos Lazcano Sahagún a distinguished Mexican geologist, historian, explorer, speleologist, and writer, is renowned for his contributions to Baja California’s cultural and historical narrative. Born in Ensenada, he transitioned from geology to exploring the peninsula’s deserts, mountains, coasts, and caves, discovering new species and archaeological artifacts. Lazcano is the director of the Ensenada History Museum and the author of influential books such as California: Biografía de una palabra (2020), Hernán Cortés en California (2021), and Kino en California (2021). Nominated for the 2020 Miguel de Cervantes Prize, his work passionately preserves Baja California’s heritage.

Carlos will enlighten our readers with information about our beautiful peninsula – stay tuned. “Knowledge is power and BajaTraveler® educates the reader on the positive things about México,” from our publisher.

We are thrilled to welcome Carlos to our editorial staff at Traveler Publications.

ANGELICA PALMERÍN / PHILANTHROPY SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Angelica Palmerín is a Real Estate development entrepreneur in México, an investor, and a writer. She holds academic training in business, economics, politics, and sociology, which informs her integrated approach to urban, social, and economic analysis.

She contributes as a columnist to magazines, where she writes on territory, memory, power, culture, and society. A devoted supporter of the arts and narrative, she views writing as a tool for critical reflection. Committed to the social dimension of development, she actively supports causes related to children and women affected by violence.

Angelica will enlighten our readers with philanthropic stories and opportunities – stay tuned. “Knowledge is power and BajaTraveler® educates the reader on the positive things about México,” from our publisher.

We are thrilled to welcome Angelica to our editorial staff at Traveler Publications.

KOREY RIGGS / PHILANTHROPY SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Korey is a graduate of Thunderbird School of Global Management and is an expert in international partnerships, global development and humanitarian efforts. He has an extensive background in leadership, training, development, event production and operations management.

He has lived and worked in Mexico for seventeen years, including serving as the President and CEO of Los Cabos Children’s Foundation (LCCF) and served as a Director for El Dorado Golf & Beach Club, one of Mexico’s most exclusive golf course developments.

At Thunderbird School of Global Management, Riggs specialized in international business and Latin America and worked internationally with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Commerce in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As Director of Latin America, with the acclaimed Viva la Gente organization, he oversaw strategic partnerships and alliances, led 110 international students and staff through 15 countries and designed and planned tours in Latin America. Riggs worked on global initiatives such as United Nations Culture of Peace creating student conferences all over the world.

 Korey believes in continuous personal and spiritual development through training and travel including walking the Camino Frances in Spain, hiking to Ama Dablam Base Camp on the path to Mt. Everest in Nepal, and witnessing Hindu pilgrims bathe in the holy waters of the Ganges in Varanasi, India. He is extremely active and has practiced and studied yoga extensively, receiving a 500-hour teaching certificate from the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica.

We are thrilled to welcome Korey to our editorial staff at Traveler Publications

CARLEY ROJAS AVILA / SENIOR EDITOR/ LATIN AMERICA 
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Carley Rojas Ávila is a bilingual journalist, editor, and creator covering travel, cuisine, and culture across Latin America. Now based in Medellín, Colombia, she has lived and worked in multiple countries across the region over the past fifteen years, including Argentina, Cuba, and Ecuador. Her work has appeared in publications like Forbes, Travel + Leisure, MSN, Yahoo, and Euronews, and has been syndicated to more than three hundred publications from the Associated Press wires. When she’s not on the road, she can be found hiking active volcanoes, testing new wellness treatments, and exploring Medellín’s world-class coffee scene.

We are thrilled to welcome Carley to our editorial staff at Traveler Publications.

JOANNE DiBONA / SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Joanne DiBona It’s not often one’s life passion can translate into a career, Joanne is delighted to have achieved this goal. She left the corporate world in 2010 (after a long and fulfilling tenure as Director of Communications for the San Diego Tourism Authority) to begin her new journey as a travel journalist. 

She served as contributing writer and photographer for ten years for USATODAY 10Best. Joanne is also a prolific freelance journalist and photographer, and her images and articles can be found in countless publications and on travel web sites around the world. Her specialty includes small ship and river cruises, wine destinations, rail travel, spas and wellness, national and state parks, history and culture, culinary, hiking and walking, and soft adventure for the affluent mature traveler.

We are thrilled to welcome Joanne to our editorial staff at Traveler Publications.

Dr. JEAN-CLAUDE L VEILLE / SENIOR MEDICAL TRAVEL EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Dr. Jean-Claude Veille – The Traveling MD, is a Board-Certified Physician and Professional Photographer located in Roseville, California. He understands that whether you are a Savvy Traveler, Adventure Traveler, or just ready to explore, the best trips are personal, unique, and built around custom experiences. While you’re busy seeking out luxury, value, or adventure, he is available to provide Expert Travel Health Advice and handle all your medical details.

As a medical doctor specializing in travel health, he provides the expert medical advice, prescriptions, and vaccine recommendations you need to travel with confidence.

Dr. Veille  will enlighten our readers with information about your health while traveling – stay tuned.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Veille to our editorial staff at Traveler Publications.

XIMENA ZERMEÑO/  PHOTOGRAPHER
Joined Traveler Publications in 2018

Ximena Zermeño was born in México City and based in Cabo San Lucas, Ximena Zermeño joins our staff as our peninsula photographer.  Ximena’s photos can be admired in our landing page. Ximena is a global luxury destination wedding photographer trusted by celebrity and high-net-worth couples, she blends hybrid film/digital mastery with a calm, timeline -savvy approach that keeps clients present.

In her past life, Ximena practiced law and advocated in courtrooms for women and children – a foundation for her empathetic storytelling.

Today she leads a production-ready team that collaborates beautifully with planners worldwide to deliver editorial images that feel like memory. Ximena is happy
to join our staff with beautiful photography from our beloved peninsula.

EMME / WELLNESS SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

EMME is our Celebrity Wellness and Fashion editor — supermodel, television host, producer, writer, and lifelong wellness junkie (emmewellness.com) — brings her signature style and vibrant energy to Traveler Publications. She began her career at NBC Burbank alongside our publisher Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo, and years later is honored to return to the pages of the magazine that has already celebrated her inspiring journey.

As an ICF-accredited life coach, who provides trusted, ethical, and results-driven coaching to her clients. “Like many of my clients, I’ve walked through life’s peaks and valleys: success at the highest levels of business and entertainment, and also profound loss, cancer, failed relationships, missteps, and reinvention — all while serving as a mother, entrepreneur, author, business owner, and advocate…much of it unfolding in the public eye. “In truth, it has been the struggles that have been my greatest teachers. I’ve come to understand: everything counts. Nothing is wasted,” EMME.

EMME will also be hosting retreats across the Baja Peninsula.  We are thrilled to welcome EMME to our editorial WELLNESS staff at Traveler Publications.

LORI BLALOCK / WELLNESS SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Lori Blalock is a travel writer, travel advisor and founder of Southerner Says, a travel website based in the American South. A Southerner by birth, she left a piece of her heart in México at fifteen and has been looking for it ever since.

Over the past six years she has built an extensive body of work covering the USA and México, including destination guides, road trip itineraries for a major travel platform and features that have appeared on MSN and in publications across the web.

She has collaborated with tourism boards and destination marketing organizations throughout North America and brings firsthand experience from half of México’s thirty-one states to her work. Her coverage includes a growing focus on wellness and medical tourism. When she’s not writing, or planning someone else’s trip to México, she’s probably already there.

We are thrilled to welcome Lori to our editorial WELLNESS staff at Traveler Publications.

RAUL PETRAGLIA / WELLNESS SENIOR EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Raul Petraglia a former high-flying corporate executive in the Hotel industry, shares his incredible journey from the high-stress world of luxury hospitality to finding profound peace through the practice of Yoga.

Don’t miss his series of Wellness Destination Reviews across the Baja Peninsula which will be featured in our upcoming issue and continued on our web.

We are thrilled to welcome Raul to our editorial WELLNESS staff at Traveler Publications.

DANA ROSENSTOCK GREEN / WELLNESS/ LEGAL EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2025

Dana Rosenstock is an Estate Planning attorney who opened up her own firm in 2010. Most recently she launched a new company to facilitate recording  documents in 2500 counties across the U.S. – eRecording Experts. Dana studied law in New York and can practice in three states including California.  Raised in Beverly Hills, Dana lives in Carlsbad and loves to travel.  Her mother Dale traveled across México and wrote for Traveler Publications since the start.  Dana is thrilled to follow in her mother’s footsteps and contribute her legal expertise to Traveler Publications.

We are thrilled to welcome Dana to our editorial WELLNESS staff at Traveler Publications.

KIM CUFFE/ MIKE LALLA / EXECUTIVE DESIGN DIRECTORS
Joined Traveler Publications in 2010

Kim Cuffe, referred to as “Kimmie” by friends and family, has always found great pleasure, fantastic fun, delectable food/drinks and long-lasting memories while visiting various areas of Baja. She and husband, Mike, adore the quaint and colorful village of Todos Santos and simply acting like carefree, vacationing tourists while visiting their next favorite Baja hangout, San José del Cabo. Kim and Mike currently have a boutique graphic design company in lovely Oceanside, California. Previously, Kim had worked for several large Southern California ad agencies before finding a happy home with Traveler Publications.

KERRIE BRIGG / COVER DESIGN DIRECTOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2000

Kerrie Briggs is our Cover designer. Kerrie and our editor-in-chief met while both working for NBC San Diego, she’s an award-winning artist and was the Art Director for NBC for many years.  She currently oversees the broadcast design and brand integrity as it relates to news graphics, franchise properties, web solutions and promotion for NBC San Diego. Kerrie has designed most of the covers for Traveler Publications.

GABRIELLE BETTENCOURT / PUBLIC RELATIONS/ EDITOR
Joined Traveler Publications in 2015

Gabrielle Bettencourt covers events in our planet.  She also enjoys telling stories. We are thrilled to have Gabrielle on our team. 

LIZ VAZQUEZ BELLOT / PUBLIC RELATIONS
Joined Traveler Publications in 2016

Liz Vazquez covers events in Baja California Sur.  
We are thrilled to have Liz on our team. 

ASTRID CASTAÑEDA / PUBLIC RELATIONS
Joined Traveler Publications in 2016

Astrid Castañeda covers events in Baja California Sur and throughout México.  
We are thrilled to have Astrid on our team. 

PROFESSOR PAT TYSON/ June 3, 1932 – Feb 24, 2025
EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ MENTOR… Miss You So!

PROFESSOR ALLAN MILLER/ Feb 23, 1937 – Feb 3, 2025
PROFESSOR/ MENTOR & BajaTraveler® LOGO DESIGNER… Miss You So!

DALE ROSENSTOCK/ 7/13/1939 – 4/19/2018
PR/ EDITOR … Miss You TONS!

MICHAEL MATTOX/ 3/14/1954 – 4/19/2019
TRAVEL EDITOR

JULES FURTH/  1931 – 2/04/2003
GOLF EDITOR