|
Austin 🇺🇸
|
Berlin 🇩🇪
|
Cape Town 🇿🇦
|
Mexico City 🇲🇽
|
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
|
|
| Population | 926,426 | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 8,850,000 | 259,453 |
| Official language(s) | English (de facto) | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | May - September | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | January - May, October - December |
| Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | 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 | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2200 | $1549 | $1867 | $2143 |
| Rent | $1650 | $939 | $618 | $778 | $923 |
| Groceries | $243 | $188 | $129 | $281 | $127 |
| Dining out | $396 | $271 | $269 | $182 | $207 |
| Cafe | $66 | $57 | $32 | $49 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $331 | $174 | $151 | $159 | $160 |
| Mobile internet | $40 | $23 | $27 | $25 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $110 | $88 | $55 | $11 | $17 |
| Taxis | $73 | $58 | $21 | $9 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $17 | $49 | $24 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $54 | $64 | $19 | $81 | $97 |
| Museums and sights | $11 | $37 | $15 | $20 | $217 |
| Nightlife | $124 | $63 | $43 | $64 | $77 |
| Gym | $62 | $66 | $36 | $69 | $42 |
| Yoga | $139 | $99 | $56 | $65 | $54 |
| Massage | $89 | $56 | $30 | $51 | $101 |
| SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | MTN, Vodacom | Telcel, Movistar | 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 | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10-15% for restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Uber | N/A |
| Tap water | Drinkable | 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 | 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. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | 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 | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | 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 | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow |