Austin vs Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro

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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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 4,617,560 880,691 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Low Very high Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December March - May, September - November December - April January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1549 $2359 $1833
Rent $1650 $616 $618 $1036 $1066
Groceries $243 $191 $129 $236 $95
Dining out $396 $168 $269 $371 $210
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $43 $25
Coworking space $331 $127 $151 $157 $130
Mobile internet $40 $23 $27 $21 $7
Public transportation $110 $32 $55 $12 $33
Taxis $73 $19 $21 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $49 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $19 $35 $55
Museums and sights $11 $21 $15 $9 $26
Nightlife $124 $50 $43 $117 $54
Gym $62 $96 $36 $37 $31
Yoga $139 $98 $56 $163 $40
Massage $89 $11 $30 $75 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS MTN, Vodacom Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
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% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Uber, Bolt Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water 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. 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. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow