About Susan Ripley

Susan Ripley is a travel blogger at Brooklyn Tropicali. She travels full-time in Latin America with her husband and two backpacks. When she’s not blogging, she’s a travel planner, freelance writer, social media consultant, and avid street food eater. She's passionate about cultural immersion, impulsive adventures, and pictures of colorful facades.

A Complete Guide to San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is one of the most picturesque cities in Mexico. Its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, immaculate facades, and impressive churches make every block of the historic center a photo op. But there are also interesting gardens, markets, and hot springs nearby to visit. This San Miguel de Allende guide will give you

7 Puerto Escondido Beaches You’ll Love

If you’re looking for a gorgeous beach destination without the throngs of tourists, head to the town of Puerto Escondido on the Oaxacan coast of Mexico. This beach destination is full of dramatic stretches of sand surrounded by cliffs, world-class surfing, delicious seafood, and a relaxed vibe. I’ll break down the best places to swim,

What to Do in Oaxaca For First Time Visitors

Wondering what to do in Oaxaca on your first visit? Expert, Susan Ripley of Brooklyn Tropicali, is here to spill all she knows! It’s not very often that you find a travel destination that is jam packed with traditional culture, a variety of high quality artisan work, thousands-of-years-old archaeological sites, beautiful nature, colorful architecture, and some

Tour of Andalucia Spain: 6 Must Visit Cities in Andalucia Spain

The southern province of Andalucia in Spain has its own distinct and beautiful culture. It’s also full of rolling mountains, valleys, beautiful coastline, and national parks. It’s a must visit if you head to Spain! This post will share how to have the perfect tour of Andalucia at your own pace. You could spend your

Cusco City Guide: What to Do, Eat, Drink and Where to Stay

If you go to Peru, you will most definitely be spending some time in Cusco. It’s the gateway to Machu PIcchu and the Inca Trail, and anything else you might want to do in the Southern Andes. Besides being a tourist hub, Cusco is actually really charming and lovely. I spent 2 weeks in this

What to Pack for Peru (and What NOT to Pack)

Peru is the most complicated destination I’ve ever had to pack for - so I want to help you avoid the stress with some tips on what to pack for Peru! This country has hot coastal beaches, wet Amazon rainforest, a mostly temperate capital city, and very cold destinations in the Andean highlands. That’s not

Casco Viejo Old Quarter Guide: Panama City’s Cutest Neighborhood

I spent over 3 weeks in Panama City, and my favorite part, by far, was Casco Viejo - or the old historic district. It's by far the most Instagrammable place in Panama City and I've put together this Casco Viejo old quarter guide so you know exactly where to go. This neighborhood is jam packed