Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Hanoi vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 4,617,560 8,053,663 6,578,0179 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high High Very high Moderate Moderate Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October March - May, September - November January, February, October - December March - May, September - November January - April, December December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $1549 $1167 $2498 $1293 $2359
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $618 $503 $1174 $732 $1036
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $129 $151 $175 $87 $236
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $269 $134 $313 $131 $371
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $32 $39 $51 $18 $43
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $151 $72 $196 $96 $157
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $27 $4 $10 $16 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $55 $20 $78 $21 $12
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $21 $13 $44 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $49 $0 $49 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $19 $3 $54 $8 $35
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $15 $4 $20 $9 $9
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $43 $89 $82 $73 $117
Gym $62 $66 $30 $36 $57 $44 $15 $37
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $56 $57 $142 $54 $163
Massage $89 $56 $31 $30 $21 $64 $20 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Mobifone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo 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 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab, GoViet Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow