Austin vs Berlin vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Berlin ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 6,578,0179 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Very high Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September March - May, September - November November - April March - May, September - November January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1549 $974 $2498 $2143
Rent $1650 $939 $618 $274 $1174 $923
Groceries $243 $188 $129 $169 $175 $127
Dining out $396 $271 $269 $108 $313 $207
Cafe $66 $57 $32 $45 $51 $42
Coworking space $331 $174 $151 $95 $196 $160
Mobile internet $40 $23 $27 $11 $10 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $55 $60 $78 $17
Taxis $73 $58 $21 $20 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $49 $10 $49 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $19 $8 $54 $97
Museums and sights $11 $37 $15 $8 $20 $217
Nightlife $124 $63 $43 $62 $82 $77
Gym $62 $66 $36 $41 $44 $42
Yoga $139 $99 $56 $55 $142 $54
Massage $89 $56 $30 $10 $64 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, 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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A
Tap water Drinkable 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Currywurst, spรคtzle, kรถnigsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh 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! Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow