Austin vs Barbados vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 110,000 259,453 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May January - May, October - December April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $2143 $1289 $1976
Rent $1650 $1054 $923 $567 $869
Groceries $243 $234 $127 $10 $146
Dining out $396 $345 $207 $227 $292
Cafe $66 $75 $42 $27 $42
Coworking space $331 $321 $160 $140 $152
Mobile internet $40 $49 $21 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $35 $17 $30 $38
Taxis $73 $106 $9 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $49 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $97 $18 $73
Museums and sights $11 $36 $217 $12 $44
Nightlife $124 $96 $77 $82 $66
Gym $62 $86 $42 $23 $34
Yoga $139 $130 $54 $62 $87
Massage $89 $99 $101 $29 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
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% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
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 Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow