Austin vs Berlin vs Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Berlin ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,166,978 8,850,000 880,691 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Thai Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September November - April March - May, October, November December - April January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $974 $1867 $2359 $1833
Rent $1650 $939 $274 $778 $1036 $1066
Groceries $243 $188 $169 $281 $236 $95
Dining out $396 $271 $108 $182 $371 $210
Cafe $66 $57 $45 $49 $43 $25
Coworking space $331 $174 $95 $159 $157 $130
Mobile internet $40 $23 $11 $25 $21 $7
Public transportation $110 $88 $60 $11 $12 $33
Taxis $73 $58 $20 $9 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $10 $24 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $8 $81 $35 $55
Museums and sights $11 $37 $8 $20 $9 $26
Nightlife $124 $63 $62 $64 $117 $54
Gym $62 $66 $41 $69 $37 $31
Yoga $139 $99 $55 $65 $163 $40
Massage $89 $56 $10 $51 $75 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
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% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Grab Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
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 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Currywurst, spรคtzle, kรถnigsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow