Austin vs Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Da Nang vs Mexico City 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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Da Nang ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 4,617,560 1,125,316 8,850,000 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Very high Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December March - May, September - November February - May March - May, October, November January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1549 $959 $1867 $2143
Rent $1650 $616 $618 $316 $778 $923
Groceries $243 $191 $129 $161 $281 $127
Dining out $396 $168 $269 $128 $182 $207
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $35 $49 $42
Coworking space $331 $127 $151 $88 $159 $160
Mobile internet $40 $23 $27 $4 $25 $21
Public transportation $110 $32 $55 $15 $11 $17
Taxis $73 $19 $21 $15 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $49 $0 $24 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $19 $6 $81 $97
Museums and sights $11 $21 $15 $2 $20 $217
Nightlife $124 $50 $43 $74 $64 $77
Gym $62 $96 $36 $34 $69 $42
Yoga $139 $98 $56 $71 $65 $54
Massage $89 $11 $30 $10 $51 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Vinafone Telcel, Movistar 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 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Uber, Bolt Grab Uber N/A
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 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. Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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 Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) 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 107 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow