Austin vs Barbados vs Bogota vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barbados 🇧🇧
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 926,426 110,000 10,978,360 1,830,000 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Spanish Romanian Turkish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low High Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May January - March, December April - October April - June, September and October December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) COP - Colombian Peso ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $1097 $1351 $659 $2359
Rent $1650 $1054 $480 $615 $354 $1036
Groceries $243 $234 $82 $114 $44 $236
Dining out $396 $345 $174 $165 $81 $371
Cafe $66 $75 $22 $38 $18 $43
Coworking space $331 $321 $77 $133 $49 $157
Mobile internet $40 $49 $11 $7 $3 $21
Public transportation $110 $35 $23 $21 $6 $12
Taxis $73 $106 $28 $9 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $17 $25 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $22 $29 $11 $35
Museums and sights $11 $36 $7 $29 $15 $9
Nightlife $124 $96 $46 $45 $22 $117
Gym $62 $86 $15 $30 $9 $37
Yoga $139 $130 $57 $59 $23 $163
Massage $89 $99 $37 $31 $15 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel Tigo, Movistar, Claro Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available Uber, Cabify Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi 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. Bajan cuisine features an eclectic mix of European, Asian, and Caribbean styles resulting in bold, tasty and crunchy meat or fish dishes with lots of spices, lime juice, thyme and salads laden with local vegetables and hot side dishes. 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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 trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow 104 options on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow