Austin vs Barbados vs Buenos Aires vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 110,000 2,900,000 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May September - December January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $1321 $2143
Rent $1650 $1054 $844 $923
Groceries $243 $234 $98 $127
Dining out $396 $345 $121 $207
Cafe $66 $75 $25 $42
Coworking space $331 $321 $95 $160
Mobile internet $40 $49 $11 $21
Public transportation $110 $35 $9 $17
Taxis $73 $106 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $14 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $24 $97
Museums and sights $11 $36 $4 $217
Nightlife $124 $96 $23 $77
Gym $62 $86 $14 $42
Yoga $139 $130 $19 $54
Massage $89 $99 $10 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel Movistar, Claro, Personal Telcel, 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% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) N/A
Tap water 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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 Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores 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 trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow