Austin vs Barbados vs Chiang Mai vs Madrid vs Panama City

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 926,426 110,000 1,166,978 6,578,0179 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Thai Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May November - April March - May, September - November December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $974 $2498 $2359
Rent $1650 $1054 $274 $1174 $1036
Groceries $243 $234 $169 $175 $236
Dining out $396 $345 $108 $313 $371
Cafe $66 $75 $45 $51 $43
Coworking space $331 $321 $95 $196 $157
Mobile internet $40 $49 $11 $10 $21
Public transportation $110 $35 $60 $78 $12
Taxis $73 $106 $20 $44 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $10 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $8 $54 $35
Museums and sights $11 $36 $8 $20 $9
Nightlife $124 $96 $62 $82 $117
Gym $62 $86 $41 $44 $37
Yoga $139 $130 $55 $142 $163
Massage $89 $99 $10 $64 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel AIS, DTAC Orange, Movistar, Vodafone 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% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, 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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow