Austin vs Bangkok vs Lisbon vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 517,000 880,691 259,453 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low Very high Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December March - May, September, October December - April January - May, October - December March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1984 $2359 $2143 $1976
Rent $1650 $616 $965 $1036 $923 $869
Groceries $243 $191 $136 $236 $127 $146
Dining out $396 $168 $271 $371 $207 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $37 $43 $42 $42
Coworking space $331 $127 $164 $157 $160 $152
Mobile internet $40 $23 $24 $21 $21 $16
Public transportation $110 $32 $63 $12 $17 $38
Taxis $73 $19 $27 $48 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $18 $0 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $29 $35 $97 $73
Museums and sights $11 $21 $24 $9 $217 $44
Nightlife $124 $50 $47 $117 $77 $66
Gym $62 $96 $65 $37 $42 $34
Yoga $139 $98 $65 $163 $54 $87
Massage $89 $11 $50 $75 $101 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Vodafone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Uber, FreeNow Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow