Austin vs Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 4,617,560 144,900 517,000 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Greek Portuguese Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Very high High Very high Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December March - May, September - November March - May, October - December March - May, September, October January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1549 $1959 $1984 $2143
Rent $1650 $616 $618 $678 $965 $923
Groceries $243 $191 $129 $157 $136 $127
Dining out $396 $168 $269 $261 $271 $207
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $56 $37 $42
Coworking space $331 $127 $151 $209 $164 $160
Mobile internet $40 $23 $27 $35 $24 $21
Public transportation $110 $32 $55 $63 $63 $17
Taxis $73 $19 $21 $42 $27 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $49 $45 $18 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $19 $28 $29 $97
Museums and sights $11 $21 $15 $8 $24 $217
Nightlife $124 $50 $43 $110 $47 $77
Gym $62 $96 $36 $107 $65 $42
Yoga $139 $98 $56 $105 $65 $54
Massage $89 $11 $30 $54 $50 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS MTN, Vodacom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Uber, Bolt nTaxi Uber, FreeNow N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow