Austin vs Berlin vs Bogota vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 10,978,360 4,617,560 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low Very high Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September January - March, December March - May, September - November April - June, September and October December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1097 $1549 $659 $2359
Rent $1650 $939 $480 $618 $354 $1036
Groceries $243 $188 $82 $129 $44 $236
Dining out $396 $271 $174 $269 $81 $371
Cafe $66 $57 $22 $32 $18 $43
Coworking space $331 $174 $77 $151 $49 $157
Mobile internet $40 $23 $11 $27 $3 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $23 $55 $6 $12
Taxis $73 $58 $28 $21 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $17 $49 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $22 $19 $11 $35
Museums and sights $11 $37 $7 $15 $15 $9
Nightlife $124 $63 $46 $43 $22 $117
Gym $62 $66 $15 $36 $9 $37
Yoga $139 $99 $57 $56 $23 $163
Massage $89 $56 $37 $30 $15 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Tigo, Movistar, Claro MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Cabify Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer
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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. 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 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.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow