Austin vs Barbados vs Chiang Mai vs Playa del Carmen

Austin 🇚ðŸ‡ļ
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Barbados 🇧🇧
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Chiang Mai ðŸ‡đ🇭
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Playa del Carmen ðŸ‡ēðŸ‡―
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Population 926,426 110,000 1,166,978 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Thai Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May November - April January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (āļŋ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $974 $2143
Rent $1650 $1054 $274 $923
Groceries $243 $234 $169 $127
Dining out $396 $345 $108 $207
Cafe $66 $75 $45 $42
Coworking space $331 $321 $95 $160
Mobile internet $40 $49 $11 $21
Public transportation $110 $35 $60 $17
Taxis $73 $106 $20 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $10 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $8 $97
Museums and sights $11 $36 $8 $217
Nightlife $124 $96 $62 $77
Gym $62 $86 $41 $42
Yoga $139 $130 $55 $54
Massage $89 $99 $10 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel AIS, DTAC 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, not customary or expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available Grab 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. 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. 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua 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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow