Austin vs Barbados vs Bogota vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barbados 🇧🇧
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 926,426 110,000 10,978,360 15,520,000 2,427,000 880,691 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Very high Low Low Low Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May January - March, December April - June, September and October January - April, December December - April January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) COP - Colombian Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $1097 $659 $1293 $2359 $1833
Rent $1650 $1054 $480 $354 $732 $1036 $1066
Groceries $243 $234 $82 $44 $87 $236 $95
Dining out $396 $345 $174 $81 $131 $371 $210
Cafe $66 $75 $22 $18 $18 $43 $25
Coworking space $331 $321 $77 $49 $96 $157 $130
Mobile internet $40 $49 $11 $3 $16 $21 $7
Public transportation $110 $35 $23 $6 $21 $12 $33
Taxis $73 $106 $28 $6 $14 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $17 $2 $0 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $22 $11 $8 $35 $55
Museums and sights $11 $36 $7 $15 $9 $9 $26
Nightlife $124 $96 $46 $22 $73 $117 $54
Gym $62 $86 $15 $9 $15 $37 $31
Yoga $139 $130 $57 $23 $54 $163 $40
Massage $89 $99 $37 $15 $20 $75 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel Tigo, Movistar, Claro Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 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 None available Uber, Cabify BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, 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 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. Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 14 options on HappyCow 104 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow