Austin vs Bangkok vs Bogota vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 10,978,360 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Low Low Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December January - March, December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) COP - Colombian Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1097 $659 $1867 $2359
Rent $1650 $616 $480 $354 $778 $1036
Groceries $243 $191 $82 $44 $281 $236
Dining out $396 $168 $174 $81 $182 $371
Cafe $66 $45 $22 $18 $49 $43
Coworking space $331 $127 $77 $49 $159 $157
Mobile internet $40 $23 $11 $3 $25 $21
Public transportation $110 $32 $23 $6 $11 $12
Taxis $73 $19 $28 $6 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $17 $2 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $22 $11 $81 $35
Museums and sights $11 $21 $7 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $124 $50 $46 $22 $64 $117
Gym $62 $96 $15 $9 $69 $37
Yoga $139 $98 $57 $23 $65 $163
Massage $89 $11 $37 $15 $51 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Tigo, Movistar, Claro Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Uber, Cabify BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow