Austin vs Barcelona vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Hanoi ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 8,053,663 15,520,000 880,691 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Moderate Low Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Nแป™i Bร i International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November January, February, October - December April - June, September and October December - April January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1167 $659 $2359 $2143
Rent $1650 $932 $503 $354 $1036 $923
Groceries $243 $121 $151 $44 $236 $127
Dining out $396 $403 $134 $81 $371 $207
Cafe $66 $45 $39 $18 $43 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $72 $49 $157 $160
Mobile internet $40 $10 $4 $3 $21 $21
Public transportation $110 $127 $20 $6 $12 $17
Taxis $73 $48 $13 $6 $48 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $0 $2 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $3 $11 $35 $97
Museums and sights $11 $33 $4 $15 $9 $217
Nightlife $124 $112 $89 $22 $117 $77
Gym $62 $81 $57 $9 $37 $42
Yoga $139 $93 $57 $23 $163 $54
Massage $89 $59 $21 $15 $75 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
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 Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer N/A
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not 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. 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. 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. 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 Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow