Austin vs Berlin vs Bogota vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Hanoi vs Lisbon vs Panama City vs Porto

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 10,978,360 2,900,000 4,617,560 8,053,663 517,000 880,691 237,559
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Spanish Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Portuguese Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Very high Low High Very high Moderate Very high Low Very High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September January - March, December September - December March - May, September - November January, February, October - December March - May, September, October December - April May - September
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1097 $1321 $1549 $1167 $1984 $2359 $1759
Rent $1650 $939 $480 $844 $618 $503 $965 $1036 $717
Groceries $243 $188 $82 $98 $129 $151 $136 $236 $148
Dining out $396 $271 $174 $121 $269 $134 $271 $371 $280
Cafe $66 $57 $22 $25 $32 $39 $37 $43 $45
Coworking space $331 $174 $77 $95 $151 $72 $164 $157 $96
Mobile internet $40 $23 $11 $11 $27 $4 $24 $21 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $23 $9 $55 $20 $63 $12 $95
Taxis $73 $58 $28 $9 $21 $13 $27 $48 $25
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $17 $14 $49 $0 $18 $0 $10
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $22 $24 $19 $3 $29 $35 $45
Museums and sights $11 $37 $7 $4 $15 $4 $24 $9 $24
Nightlife $124 $63 $46 $23 $43 $89 $47 $117 $66
Gym $62 $66 $15 $14 $36 $57 $65 $37 $56
Yoga $139 $99 $57 $19 $56 $57 $65 $163 $82
Massage $89 $56 $37 $10 $30 $21 $50 $75 $48
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Tigo, Movistar, Claro Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Mobifone Vodafone Claro, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS
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% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Cabify Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab, GoViet Uber, FreeNow Uber, Tu Chofer Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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. A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 46 options on Happy Cow