Austin 🇺🇸
|
Berlin 🇩🇪
|
Cape Town 🇿🇦
|
Hanoi 🇻🇳
|
Istanbul 🇹🇷
|
Medellin 🇨🇴
|
Panama City 🇵🇦
|
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
|
Valencia 🇪🇸
|
|
Population | 926,426 | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 8,053,663 | 15,520,000 | 2,427,000 | 880,691 | 259,453 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Vietnamese | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Ná»™i Bà i International Airport (HAN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | May - September | March - May, September - November | January, February, October - December | April - June, September and October | January - April, December | December - April | January - May, October - December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. | Accepted in most places | Accepted in some places | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2200 | $1549 | $1167 | $659 | $1293 | $2359 | $2143 | $1976 |
Rent | $1650 | $939 | $618 | $503 | $354 | $732 | $1036 | $923 | $869 |
Groceries | $243 | $188 | $129 | $151 | $44 | $87 | $236 | $127 | $146 |
Dining out | $396 | $271 | $269 | $134 | $81 | $131 | $371 | $207 | $292 |
Cafe | $66 | $57 | $32 | $39 | $18 | $18 | $43 | $42 | $42 |
Coworking space | $331 | $174 | $151 | $72 | $49 | $96 | $157 | $160 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $23 | $27 | $4 | $3 | $16 | $21 | $21 | $16 |
Public transportation | $110 | $88 | $55 | $20 | $6 | $21 | $12 | $17 | $38 |
Taxis | $73 | $58 | $21 | $13 | $6 | $14 | $48 | $9 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $17 | $49 | $0 | $2 | $0 | $0 | $49 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $64 | $19 | $3 | $11 | $8 | $35 | $97 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $37 | $15 | $4 | $15 | $9 | $9 | $217 | $44 |
Nightlife | $124 | $63 | $43 | $89 | $22 | $73 | $117 | $77 | $66 |
Gym | $62 | $66 | $36 | $57 | $9 | $15 | $37 | $42 | $34 |
Yoga | $139 | $99 | $56 | $57 | $23 | $54 | $163 | $54 | $87 |
Massage | $89 | $56 | $30 | $21 | $15 | $20 | $75 | $101 | $45 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | MTN, Vodacom | Viettel, Mobifone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Claro, Tigo | Claro, Movistar | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange |
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 | Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Grab, GoViet | BiTaksi | EasyTaxi | Uber, Tu Chofer | N/A | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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 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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
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 | Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 104 listings on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |