Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 10,978,360 | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 8,053,663 | 517,000 | 8,850,000 | 880,691 | 237,559 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Vietnamese | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese |
Level of English | Very high | High | Low | High | Very high | Moderate | Very high | Moderate | Low | Very High |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | El Dorado International Airport (BOG) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Nội Bà i International Airport (HAN) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | January - March, December | September - December | March - May, September - November | January, February, October - December | March - May, September, October | March - May, October, November | December - April | May - September |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $1097 | $1321 | $1549 | $1167 | $1984 | $1867 | $2359 | $1759 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $480 | $844 | $618 | $503 | $965 | $778 | $1036 | $717 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $82 | $98 | $129 | $151 | $136 | $281 | $236 | $148 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $174 | $121 | $269 | $134 | $271 | $182 | $371 | $280 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $22 | $25 | $32 | $39 | $37 | $49 | $43 | $45 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $77 | $95 | $151 | $72 | $164 | $159 | $157 | $96 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $11 | $11 | $27 | $4 | $24 | $25 | $21 | $21 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $23 | $9 | $55 | $20 | $63 | $11 | $12 | $95 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $28 | $9 | $21 | $13 | $27 | $9 | $48 | $25 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $17 | $14 | $49 | $0 | $18 | $24 | $0 | $10 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $22 | $24 | $19 | $3 | $29 | $81 | $35 | $45 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $7 | $4 | $15 | $4 | $24 | $20 | $9 | $24 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $46 | $23 | $43 | $89 | $47 | $64 | $117 | $66 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $15 | $14 | $36 | $57 | $65 | $69 | $37 | $56 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $57 | $19 | $56 | $57 | $65 | $65 | $163 | $82 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $37 | $10 | $30 | $21 | $50 | $51 | $75 | $48 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Tigo, Movistar, Claro | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | Viettel, Mobifone | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Claro, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS |
Tipping | 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service | 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | Grab, GoViet | Uber, FreeNow | Uber | Uber, Tu Chofer | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. | Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options | 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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. | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. |
Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua | Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa |
Eat like a local | Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del dÃa. Community markets and sports bars. | Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 104 options on Happy Cow | 79 options on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 104 listings on Happy Cow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow | 46 options on Happy Cow |