Austin vs Bogota vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Tbilisi

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population 926,426 10,978,360 1,830,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 2,427,000 880,691 1,108,700
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish Spanish Georgian
Level of English Very high Low High Very high Low Low Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, December April - October March - May, September - November November - April January - April, December December - April March - June
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) COP - Colombian Peso ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) GEL - Georgian Lari (₾)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1097 $1351 $1549 $974 $1293 $2359 $1462
Rent $1650 $480 $615 $618 $274 $732 $1036 $752
Groceries $243 $82 $114 $129 $169 $87 $236 $112
Dining out $396 $174 $165 $269 $108 $131 $371 $169
Cafe $66 $22 $38 $32 $45 $18 $43 $45
Coworking space $331 $77 $133 $151 $95 $96 $157 $125
Mobile internet $40 $11 $7 $27 $11 $16 $21 $4
Public transportation $110 $23 $21 $55 $60 $21 $12 $8
Taxis $73 $28 $9 $21 $20 $14 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $49 $10 $0 $0 $27
Sport and cultural events $54 $22 $29 $19 $8 $8 $35 $21
Museums and sights $11 $7 $29 $15 $8 $9 $9 $9
Nightlife $124 $46 $45 $43 $62 $73 $117 $53
Gym $62 $15 $30 $36 $41 $15 $37 $33
Yoga $139 $57 $59 $56 $55 $54 $163 $37
Massage $89 $37 $31 $30 $10 $20 $75 $53
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Tigo, Movistar, Claro Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 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 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés.
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber, Cabify Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer Yandex, Bolt
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. 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. 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. 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. Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias 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 Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 104 options on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 10 options on Happy Cow