Austin ๐บ๐ธ
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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐ฆ๐ท
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lviv ๐บ๐ฆ
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Porto ๐ต๐น
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 731,387 | 237,559 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Ukrainian | Portuguese | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | High | High | Very high | High | Low | Very High | High |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | September - December | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | May - September | May - September | April-June, September-October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โด) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $1321 | $1549 | $1959 | $922 | $1759 | $1289 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $844 | $618 | $678 | $400 | $717 | $567 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $98 | $129 | $157 | $91 | $148 | $10 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $121 | $269 | $261 | $151 | $280 | $227 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $25 | $32 | $56 | $21 | $45 | $27 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $95 | $151 | $209 | $79 | $96 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $11 | $27 | $35 | $4 | $21 | $10 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $9 | $55 | $63 | $5 | $95 | $30 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $9 | $21 | $42 | $12 | $25 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $14 | $49 | $45 | $16 | $10 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $24 | $19 | $28 | $13 | $45 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $4 | $15 | $8 | $9 | $24 | $12 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $23 | $43 | $110 | $43 | $66 | $82 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $14 | $36 | $107 | $22 | $56 | $23 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $19 | $56 | $105 | $30 | $82 | $62 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $10 | $30 | $54 | $27 | $48 | $29 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone, Kyivstar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
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% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, Uklon | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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. | 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. | 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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 | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | 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 | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 79 options on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 9 options on HappyCow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |