Austin vs Barbados vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Porto vs Rio de Janeiro vs Sofia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 926,426 110,000 4,617,560 517,000 237,559 6,718,903 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Portuguese Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Very high Very high Very High Low High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Galeรฃo International Airport Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May March - May, September - November March - May, September, October May - September January - March, December April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $1549 $1984 $1759 $1833 $1289
Rent $1650 $1054 $618 $965 $717 $1066 $567
Groceries $243 $234 $129 $136 $148 $95 $10
Dining out $396 $345 $269 $271 $280 $210 $227
Cafe $66 $75 $32 $37 $45 $25 $27
Coworking space $331 $321 $151 $164 $96 $130 $140
Mobile internet $40 $49 $27 $24 $21 $7 $10
Public transportation $110 $35 $55 $63 $95 $33 $30
Taxis $73 $106 $21 $27 $25 $14 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $49 $18 $10 $16 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $19 $29 $45 $55 $18
Museums and sights $11 $36 $15 $24 $24 $26 $12
Nightlife $124 $96 $43 $47 $66 $54 $82
Gym $62 $86 $36 $65 $56 $31 $23
Yoga $139 $130 $56 $65 $82 $40 $62
Massage $89 $99 $30 $50 $48 $32 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Vodafone, MEO, NOS Tim, Claro, Vivo A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable 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. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
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 Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars 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. Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow